(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2006) Bosman, Hendrik L.
WG Dever is a well known archaeologist who for more than a decade has become entangled in an exhausting polemical debate with so-called "minimalists" (PR Davies, NP Lemche, TL Thompson, KW Whitelam etc.). This review article attempts to describe common trends of thought in three of his recently published monographs and evaluate whether he has succeeded in reaching the goals he has set for himself. In conclusion no attempt will be made to harmonize the "maximalist-minimalist" debate since despite the often acerbic rhetoric, much needed attention was generated for gaining more conceptual clarity about the historicity of Old Testament narratives.