Evidence for Old Testment Figures?

[White Knight]

Hello everyone, I was wanting to know, exactly, how much evidence is there for proof of the OLD TESTMENT Figures existance? such as, [b]King David, King Solomon, Samson, Adam and Eve, Moses, Isiah, Daniel, etc etc.[/b] How much evidence does the Catholic Church have that is outside the Bible? but that can also support the Bible's way of describing it to the be true?

[Snarf]

I think historically it's pretty accepted that David, Solomon, and Moses exist. It's pretty doubtful that Adam and Eve existed, especially since the Catholic Church accepts the story of Creation to just be a fable. As for the others, I've never seen conclusive evidence for their not having existed, so that there is written record of them in the OT it's safe to say that they probably were to some extent real.

[Cure of Ars]

[url="http://www.staycatholic.com/confirming_biblical_history.htm"]http://www.staycatholic.com/confirming_biblical_history.htm[/url]

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

[quote name='Snarf' date='Oct 12 2004, 10:58 PM'] ...especially since the Catholic Church accepts the story of Creation to just be a fable. [/quote]
You will find people who are on every side of this issue in the Church.

[Socrates]

[quote name='Snarf' date='Oct 12 2004, 09:58 PM'] I think historically it's pretty accepted that David, Solomon, and Moses exist.  It's pretty doubtful that Adam and Eve existed, especially since the Catholic Church accepts the story of Creation to just be a fable.  As for the others, I've never seen conclusive evidence for their not having existed, so that there is written record of them in the OT it's safe to say that they probably were to some extent real. [/quote]
It is official Church teaching that Adam and Eve (i.e. a first human man and woman who are the ancestors of the entire human race) existed. The idea that they are mere metaphors for the human race as a whole, or that mankind gradually evolved from many ancestors (forget the fancy word for that) has been condemned as heresy. The exact degree of literalness of the Genesis Creation Account is open to debate, but the Church firmly teaches that:
A. There was a first man, Adam.
B. There was a first woman, Eve, whose body was somehow derived by God from that of Adam's.
C. Adam and Eve were given supernatural gifts by God, including Sanctifying Grace, but Adam and Eve sinned and lost these gifts, and their punishment is inherited by their descendents (the whole human race.)

The doctrine of Adam and Eve and original sin is essential to Christian theology (i.e. man's need for a Redeemer).

Edited October 13, 2004 by Socrates

[Thy Geekdom Come]

I know that there is an ancient Ethiopian myth which proves the existence of King Soloman.

[popestpiusx]

[quote name='thedude' date='Oct 13 2004, 02:06 PM'] You will find people who are on every side of this issue in the Church. [/quote]
To say that it is a fable is incompatible with the Faith.

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

Yes, to say it is a fable is heresy. I was talking about evolutionists who don't believe the entire Genesis creation account is literal, but are within exeptable bounds.

I personally don't believe in evolution but I'm not decided on the Young vs. Old Earth theories.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='Snarf' date='Oct 12 2004, 11:58 PM'] I think historically it's pretty accepted that David, Solomon, and Moses exist. It's pretty doubtful that Adam and Eve existed, especially since the Catholic Church accepts the story of Creation to just be a fable. As for the others, I've never seen conclusive evidence for their not having existed, so that there is written record of them in the OT it's safe to say that they probably were to some extent real. [/quote]
The Catholic Church does NOT accept Adam and Eve as fable.

[Laudate_Dominum]

Thank you Cmom. A fable is a didactic fantasy story. While you might find Catholic Theologians who refer to Genesis I & II as "myth" this is hardly the same thing as fable. In fact these accounts are written as "myth" in the sense of literary genre. As a technical term this does not imply that it is merely a made up fantasy story. In fact the Church affirms that it is an account of historical truths expressed in a richly symbolic and Theologically significant literary style. So one can legitimately interpret the 7 days in a spiritual or symbolic way , but Adam and Eve (as the Church as said) do in fact represent the common ancestors of all mankind and they were truly one male and one female. I don't think you have to take literally that their names were actually Adam and Eve, but who knows. I hope this makes sense.

God bless

[White Knight]

Well I hear alot about Moses, and alittle about King David, and some stuff about King Solomon, but why so little or nothing on Samson?

Btw, [color=blue][b]Cure of Ars[/b][/color]: Thanks for the link it cleared up some stuff.

Edited October 19, 2004 by White Knight