Reference no: EM133692006

In the chapter, "Recovering the Voice of Moses," Block examines the internal evidence for early, written documentation of the oral events involving Moses and his speeches given on the Plains of Moab (his analysis is done through an inductive process). In examining these internal texts, clues are drawn concerning the authorship of Deuteronomy, and by implication, the rest of the Pentateuch. Block contends that his approach provides a measured, conservative sense by which we might understand questions of authorship. Having read the chapter, respond to the following prompts in an initial post:

1. Block opens the chapter by raising the issue of anonymity of authorship throughout the Old Testament. How do we reconcile the issue of anonymity of authorship with inspiration and a "high view" of Scripture?
2. Block proposes a 7 stage reconstruction for the transition from spoken word of Moses to the canonical text of Deuteronomy. What do you think are the merits of Block's proposal, and how does Block's proposal differ from critical scholarship (in general concepts or specific details)?
3. In the concluding reflections, Block states that "Expressions like 'Book of Moses,' and 'Torah of Moses,' do not demand that Moses' own hand produced the book." In view of the contents of Block's inductive analysis and his concluding reflections, do you agree with this statement? How has this chapter impacted or informed your view of Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch (in reading the concluding reflections, be sure to also read the last footnote)?