This volume offers an examination of current methodologies for writing Israel's history. This volume examines and elucidates assumptions about history writing used by historians of ancient Judah and Israel. It seeks to address the substantial debate between 'minimalist' historians who find the Biblical text to be a relatively recent Persian/Hellenistic construction and the 'non-minimalists', who take the Biblical record at face value. Moore identifies the contemporary philosophical issues in history writing and then turns to the analysis of the main theories of each particular school of thought. In her conclusions, she addresses the possibility of objective historical inquiry and appeals to a 'qualified correspondent truth' as a guiding principle for further investigation. Over the last 30 years this pioneering series has established an unrivaled reputation for cutting-edge international scholarship in Biblical Studies and has attracted leading authors and editors in the field. The series takes many original and creative approaches to its subjects, including innovative work from historical and theological perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and more recent developments in cultural studies and reception history.