Why Mitt Romney’s Mormonism Might Matter

The Catholic Review ^ | Jan. 16, 2011 | Matt Palmer

[DeerJerkyDave]

Boatbums, thanks for the response. I agree that historical evidence exists for Jesus, but there is no archaeological evidence. I am familiar with the ossuary referenced in your article. The Discovery channel even ran a documentary on it a few years back. Since then it is has been found to be most likely a fake. The owner of the box is currently being charged with 44 counts of forgery, fraud and deception, including for the inscription on the ossuary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Ossuary

[boatbums]

Thanks for your comments. I wasn't sure if the "ossuary" find had been verified or not, the website I linked did not say. As far as there being archaeological evidence, I guess I would need to know what kind of evidence is being asked for. If you mean actual sites described in the New Testament and artifacts attesting to him specifically, I can say that archeology HAS discovered physical places, cities, buildings and sites spoken of in Scripture that can be definitely placed to the time of Christ. Such as:

The evidence for Jesus starts with the place of his birth in Bethlehem. The Church of the Nativity is generally considered a credible historical site, with the traditional cave of Christ’s birth being marked by the ornate Star of Bethlehem. Terraced hills containing shepherds’ flocks still encircle the small city.

On the Sea of Galilee, Christ’s childhood town of Nazareth is still active today. In addition, ancient harbors matching the biblical record have been located in recent drought cycles. In fact, a first century Galilean fishing boat was recently unearthed from the mud and preserved. Although we have no idea who the boat belonged to, it matches the biblical record for the vessels used by Christ’s disciples.

Capernaum, a town often visited by Jesus, is widely excavated and protected. Specific sites of interest include the synagogue at Capernaum where Jesus cured a man with an unclean spirit and delivered the sermon on the bread of life, and the house of Peter where Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law and others.

Other archaeological sites involved in Christ’s ministry include Chorazin (where Jesus taught in the synagogue), Kursi (the swine miracle), Tabgha (loaves and fishes), the Mount of Beatitudes (Sermon on the Mount), Caesarea Philippi (Peter's confession), and Jacob's well where Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman.

In Jerusalem, we still see the foundations for the Jewish Temple Mount built by Herod the Great. Other remarkable sites in Jerusalem include the "Southern Steps" where Jesus and his followers entered the Temple, the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed a crippled man, and the recently uncovered Pool of Siloam where Jesus healed a blind man.

The evidence for Jesus in the events leading to his crucifixion starts across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives. There, we can walk through ancient olive trees to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before his capture. Then, we can look back across the Kidron Valley to the Golden Gate where Christ entered Jerusalem for his trial, scourging and death.

Elsewhere, we find more evidence for Jesus and the leaders presiding over his trial and crucifixion, including an inscription that mentions the Roman procurator of the time, Pontius Pilate, and the actual bones of the Jewish High Priest of the time, Caiaphas, preserved in an ornate ossuary (bone box). The evidence continues throughout Jerusalem where we can stand in the judgment place of Pontius Pilate called Gabbatha, and then walk the Via Dolorosa where Christ carried his own cross to Calvary. The huge Church of the Holy Sepulchre is considered by most scholars to be a reliable historical site covering the locations of the crucifixion and burial of Christ. Incredibly, a 2,000-year-old heel bone pierced by an iron nail was recently discovered in a Jerusalem graveyard that sheds more light on the practice of crucifixion by the first century Romans.

(http://www.allaboutarchaeology.org/evidence-for-jesus.htm

But, let's remember that this occurred over two thousand years ago so we do not know either what other evidence existed at one time nor what additional evidence may still be found. Cities get built upon other cities all over the world. I personally have no doubt whatsoever that Jesus existed on earth and that he still exists, not only in the hearts of Christians but is seated at the right hand of Almighty God right now and he will be coming back soon. If you have a chance, go look at that link, it is really interesting.

[DeerJerkyDave]

I glanced around that website. It is interesting, but again it just demonstrates that some of the sites mentioned in the Bible actually exist. On the other hand archaeology and the Bible don't always agree. If you search around on the Internet you can find plenty of examples of it. For example here is an article from the New York Times titled, "The Bible, as History, Flunks New Archaeological Tests; Hotly Debated Studies Cast Doubt on Many Familiar Stories."

And whether Jesus actually existed there is no archaeological evidence for it. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that scientific evidence shouldn't be the primary basis of one's spiritual belief in the Bible and Christ. Jesus says to Thomas that it is better to believe and not see. I'm not saying that scientific evidence is meaningless. It helps as supporting evidence to demonstrate plausibility. But the primary evidence for the truth of the Bible and Jesus needs to be written into the heart of the individual by God through the power of Holy Ghost. Our physical senses and the wisdom of the world are fallible. Truth given to individuals directly from God is infallible.