Past, Present, Future: The Deuteronomistic History and the Prophets

In the politico-religious history of the deuteronomists past, present and future mingle in often inextricable way. Traditions which had been unacceptable to the Davidic dynasty were rediscovered and adapted to the aims of the Deuteronomists. Personages of the past were condemned in the light of the new ideology, whereas others were glorified as their ideas suited the historians. All this raises the question whether or not the Bible can be trusted as a source book for writing a history of Israel. Should biblical testimony be rejected in favour of a history based on archaeology? Scholars on both sides of the debate present papers.