), the Bible serves an accurate historical source and should influence the conclusions drawn from archaeological studies; whereas biblical minimalists assert that the Bible must be read as fiction, unless proven otherwise by archaeological findings, and ought not be considered in secular studies.
[2][3] The debate between the two parties revolves, predominantly, around one major issue in the sphere of biblical interpretation: the existence, or nonexistence, of the united kingdom of Solomon and David.
[2] Minimalists argue that this kingdom must have been different from the one presented in the biblical texts—1 Kings and 2 Samuel, for example—stating that the current archaeological evidence does not indicate that a state organization of the kind once existed.
Maximalists, on the other hand, hold that the archeological evidence currently uncovered is sufficient to prove the existence of the United Monarchy.
[4] Because of their disagreements, minimalist–maximalist relations have been characterized by inflamed rhetoric and frequent personal attacks.