5 Minutes Bible Study - The Golden Age Of Archaeology Video

THE GOLDEN AGE OF ARCHAEOLOGY by Dr. Harold Sala
...Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my fingers where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it. John 20:25

In 1993 a group of archaeologists were working on an excavation on the gentle slopes of Mount Hermon in the northern part of Israel. The ancient city was known as Dan in Bible days, and the city lay on the route traveled from Beersheba passing through Jerusalem, then north to Dan and on to Damascus, the ancient capital of Syria. It continued on to the old city of Haran from which Abraham journeyed.

The old city of Dan was the northern outpost of Israel. Archaeologists working there discovered an inscription on a monument—one of the most important discoveries in recent days. On this old monument which may have stood in the city square was an inscription which told about a victory Ben-Hadad, the King of Syria, had sustained against the house of David.i

Interestingly enough 1 Kings 15:20 in the Old Testament describes precisely such a battle. It reads, Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. He conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Macaah and all Kinnereth. For a long, long time the monument stood there. Then it was pushed aside and eventually covered by dust and debris. Dr. Avraham Biran, an archaeologist from Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem, says that this old inscription is the first reference to David outside of the Bible. Few critics would deny that this is the David who battled Goliath and eventually succeeded Saul as King of Israel.

Today archaeologists are making finds in unprecedented numbers as the result of newer and more scientific techniques. A century ago, archaeologists attacked a site with spades and shovels, somewhat like a search for hidden treasure. Modern movies such as Raiders of the Lost Ark portray archaeologists as poking their heads through the wall of a cave to find gold and treasures lying around a few old mummies. While that hardly is fair to the men and women who were pioneers of the field, techniques such as radar and electronic imaging, along with satellite imagery which charts the temperatures of the earths surface, showing where ancient cities lie buried, are now available for use by archeologists—and they allow new and exciting discoveries.

Some have called this The Golden Age of Archaeology. Scientists believe that we have just scratched the surface and that it is only a matter of time until more substantial discoveries are made.

In the Middle East, the Bible and archaeology are intertwined in such a way that the two cannot be separated. Even scientists who harbor little sentiment for Christianity admit that they are dependent on the historical statements of the Bible. Without the Bible, says Professor Trude Dothan of Hebrew University in Jerusalem, we wouldnt even have known that there were Philistines. There is a great deal more that they would not know. Have recent discoveries confirmed the historical accuracy of the Bible? Almost without exception. Does this mean, however, that scientists are saying, I guess the old book has been right all along? Not exactly. For those who are believers, the recent findings of archaeology only confirm their faith. For those who are unbelievers, the vast number of recent discoveries which affirm statement after statement are a remarkable coincidence but nothing more.

Thomas, one of the twelve who walked with Jesus, said that he would not believe that Christ had risen from the dead unless he saw firsthand and touched the nail-scarred hands. And he eventually had that opportunity.

Edwin Yamauchi, history professor at Miami University, says, however, there is a limit to what archaeology can prove. He says, Archaeology may give us a better understanding of the Crucifixion and tomb of Jesus Christ, but it can say nothing of His resurrection. Yes--thank God.

Resource reading: Micah 4:1-5.

i Mysteries of the Bible, U.S. News and World Report, April 17, 1995, pp. 60-68.

Tell your friends:

arealnoob: the bible might be historically accurate but that is hardly proof of a supernatural being. sorry but I'll pass.

n1ght5talker: 83 Views :) probably because a view only counts if someone stays to the end and I'm not sure there are too many people who could stay to the end of this... Even if the content was good, it is said in such a boring way I can't stand it.

Author: Faith1316; Uploaded: Nov 9, 2009; Duration: 4:59; Views: 109

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