Patterns of Evidence (Review and Giveaway)
Be jealous: I have a Sunday School that is full of amazingly smart men and women. When we meet to discuss whatever topic for the week, discussion is fun but deep. Most recently, we have started a series of lessons that has us really digging in to the words of the Bible in a very historical way. We just finished up the book of Genesis and are moving on to Exodus. That’s why when I received Patterns of Evidence: Exodus to review, I was extremely excited. What a timely product to have in my hands!
The Patterns of Evidence DVD is the story of one filmmaker, Timothy Mahoney, who asked himself, “Is this foundational event [the Exodus] of the Bible really just a myth?”
As he begins the documentary, he discusses the modern skepticism that surrounds many stories in the Bible. Archaeologists and scientists alike have struggled to correlate what happened in the book of Exodus with what they have found in ruins and research.
As the story of Exodus is a foundational element of Judaism and thus Christianity, Mahoney’s question and search echoes the concerns that many believers have when they stop and try to connect history with Biblical account: Is it true? Can it be proven?
One of the guests interviewed in the documentary explains that sometimes we must go by faith and recognize that even if this wasn’t a true story, it is true. As contradictory and paradoxical as that sounds, the rest of the documentary explains how it’s even possible.
With stunning graphics and filmography, Patterns of Evidence held my attention and absolutely did not feel like the full 119 minutes that it is.
I can’t wait to share this with my Sunday School class to help deepen our own journey into our understanding of the Bible.
About the film
- Won 13 awards on the film festival circuit in 2014, including a Gold Remi Award winner for Best Director at the Worldfest Houston Intl. Film Festival, the Gold Crown Award for Best Picture and Best Documentary at ICVM 2014, and Official Selection at the Soho International Film Festival in New York.
- Supplemental resources associated with the film include a nearly 400-page hardcover book, small group Bible study, Movie Event kit, youth version (called Young Explorers), home school curriculum and others.
- It includes powerful interviews with some of the top experts in the fields of archaeology and Egyptology as well as people of influence in the Middle East.
- The film has an objective, fair-minded and balanced approach. It allows viewpoints from all sides to be heard in a respectful way while asking honest questions of the Bible and scholars’ views. It does not preach and lets the evidence speak for itself. This allows the film to be very shareable with those of different viewpoints.
Like this video trailer? See what others are saying on the Patterns of Evidence site.
Win a Copy
Enter to win your own copy of the Patterns of Evidence in the Rafflecopter below. This giveaway will end September 14, 2017.
I would like very much to see this documentary. I am at a point in my life where my health and my own mortality is evidently coming together. My question is more in seeking the truth as time gets shorter. What is religion, and have I missed something?
One thing I really liked about this documentary was the reminder that it’s ok to ask questions! That this is part of our journey.
Do you think the Exodus lasted exactly 40 years as told in the Bible?
I don’t know! I think the timing in the Bible is relative. I’m not sure that the years, days, etc., correlate to what we’re used to in our contemporary calendar, etc.
Thank you for your great review of our film. We appreciate it and glad you enjoyed it- along with some of your readers too hopefully!
We wanted to let you know about our ‘Thinker Updates’ since you are a definite thinker & Bible enthusiast. They include fascinating research & finds with new evidence related to the Bible, plus more . We typically send them out once a week and then archive the blogs for reference & pleasure reading. You can sign up here to become a ‘Thinker’ http://patternsofevidence.com/blog/2016/01/01/sign-up-for-thinker-updates/
We also have a bible study book that goes along with the film and it sounds perfect for your group at church. The book is called Evidence of Faith. See it at our store.
Blessings!