how the various historical materials (biblical and extrabiblical) fit together, recognizing that there are gaps in our understanding. In the process, the biblical documents are weighed and evaluated, keeping in mind that they have been critically appraised continually since their composition. Aware that there are problems in the text we presently have, this view asserts that when we look at various periods of history, we must include all the evidence before we come to a conclusion. If there are conflicts