Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus is an award-winning documentary
by filmmaker Timothy Mahoney that chronicles an in-depth
archaeological investigation in Egypt as his team attempts to
corroborate the biblical text. The film explores one fundamental
question: Is there any evidence that the Exodus story actually
happened? Twelve years in the making, this provocative
documentary reveals new or rarely seen evidence regarding the
Israelites descent into slavery, their Exodus from Egypt and
their ultimate conquest of the Promised Land. Although many
scholars and archaeologists deny the validity of the Exodus story
for lack of proof, Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus builds a case
that sheds new light on the story
Review
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Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus is a thought-provoking and
relevant movie! Filmmaker Timothy Mahoney takes on the hot potato
of Biblical history the Exodus and matches it up against what
archaeologists, historians and naysayers have to say about the
Bible s accuracy. Kevin Sorbo narrates this documentary that
focuses on digging for the truth (no pun intended). Benjamin
Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, comments that the Bible has
held the imaginations of people for thousands of years and that
is a remarkable thing. Other political and religious leaders and
archaeologists are featured, including Shimon Peres, former
president of Israel, who says the Bible is the greatest
legislator of our time. Mahoney finds that there is little
archaeological evidence of the Exodus during the time of
Ramesses, who most historians believe was the Pharaoh who spoke
with Moses and initially refused to let God s people go. Yet when
Mahoney backtracks to the Middle Kingdom, some 200 years earlier,
the evidence is pretty impressive. Do the other scholars have the
time frame wrong? There is controversy in the documentary for
sure. Different leaders disagree with each other. Rabbi David
Wolpe frankly states the Exodus didn t happen as the Bible
depicts it, and archaeologist Norma Franklin from the University
of Haifa doesn t believe it happened at all. Yet there are many
who believe it did happen; there are also diggings that some
believe prove the walls of Jericho fell, and that Rahab s
quarters did not fall. There is evidence Jericho was burned as
the Bible says it was. Professor Rosalie David from the
University of Manchester speaks of the sudden abandonment of a
people that would resemble the Hebrews and their Exodus. In one
place a with the name Jabin is found; he was the king that
Joshua killed. The documentary features art work, several
historians and archaeologists, religious leaders, and scenes
featuring views of s and various ruins in Egypt. I just
wanted to know the truth, says Mahoney, and he went to a lot of
trouble trying to find it. This documentary chronicles his
travels from the U.S. to Egypt, to Israel and to England. The
movie finishes with Mahoney reading a rare book written by Alan
Gardiner, who concludes that not enough evidence has been found
to pin down certain Biblical events to definite time frames. This
could support the possibility that the Middle Kingdom is the age
of the Exodus, rather than the later time of Ramesses. At any
rate, this film attempts to navigate the sometimes murky waters
of history. We are happy to award this documentary, Patterns of
Exodus: The Exodus, our Faith-Friendly Seal for all ages,
although it is not intended for the very young who would have a
hard time understanding it. For everyone else, it will be a
fascinating look into a great moment in history and in
archaeology: the exodus of Moses and the Hebrews from Egyptian
bondage. --Focus on the Family