Posted on 03/10/2010 4:06:13 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Once again, archaeology confirms the accuracy of biblical history. That’s good news, but should it affect how we believers view Scripture?
Israeli archeologist Eilat Mazar has reported an exciting discovery—evidence that newly unearthed fortifications in Jerusalem were built 3,000 years ago. Based on the age of pottery shards that she found at the site, Mazar believes that the fortifications were built by Solomon, just as described in the Old Testament.
Of course that’s interesting news for Jews and Christians, but there’s a lot more to this than you might expect. As the Associated Press reported, “If the age of the wall is correct, the finding would be an indication that Jerusalem was home to a strong central government that had the resources and manpower needed to build massive fortifications in the 10th century B.C.”
That’s a direct contradiction to the views of some scholars who believe, as the AP puts it, “that David’s [and Solomon’s] monarchy was largely mythical and that there was no strong government to speak of in that era.”
No wonder that Mazar calls the wall “the most significant construction we have from First Temple days in Israel.” And if she’s right, we will have another link in the long chain of evidence that demonstrates the historical veracity of the Bible.
As I’ve said before on BreakPoint, discoveries like these are worth getting excited over—even though we need to be careful not to get too carried away by them. Every archeological, historical, or even scientific find that we make that supports the Scriptures is welcome news. They remind us that the Bible is a record of real people, places, and events—that as Dorothy L. Sayers put it, Jesus Christ was “born into history,” not into mythology.
At a time when the veracity of the Bible is under attack from all sides, such reminders are always refreshing and encouraging.
Yet at the same time, the primary source of our beliefs must remain the Bible itself. I made this point several years ago when archaeologists discovered an ossuary—that is, a box for bones—marked “James...brother of Jesus.” Even today there is controversy over the ossuary’s authenticity.
But even if the discovery of an ossuary or a city wall corroborates what the Bible says, that does not make the biblical facts more factual—it simply confirms them. And as historian Paul Johnson says, the confirming evidence for scriptural accuracy is mounting—so much so that the skeptics, not the Christians, must fear the further course of scientific discovery. Email This ArticleEmail This Article Print This ArticlePrint This Article Share This ArticleShare This Article What You Can Do: Pray for this Issue Pray for this Issue Volunteer in this Area Volunteer in this Area Donate to this Initiative Donate to this Initiative
But always remember—the Bible stands on its own credible witness, regardless of whether secondary sources confirm or seemingly contradict it.
If we get too caught up in each discovery that seems to support the Bible, we run the risk of building our faith on a less-than-solid foundation. And we run the risk of being disappointed and disillusioned should a certain artifact be somehow discredited.
Better to build our faith on the solid rock of God’s Word—even as the evidence continues to mount, this time from a pile of ancient rubble pointing to the Word’s veracity.
Several years ago, Paul Johnson gave a remarkable speech at Dallas Seminary called “A Historian Looks at Jesus.” It’s one of the best pieces on the accuracy of Scripture I’ve encountered. I encourage you to read it as well—and you can do that now because we have it for you at our website, BreakPoint.org.
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Just adding to the catalog, not sending a general distribution. |
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read for later
Thanks for the post.
Beep! . . . for later.
Numerous middle-eastern bronze age cities built walls without the involvement of David or Salomon. Nor is a strong national government necessary for the building of walls. Just a community with sufficient insight into what happens to the citizens and property of towns that lacked such protections.
The historical traces of Jerusalem go back about 4000 years, more then a thousand years before this construction. Lots of time to learn these lessons.
Interesting find in archaeological terms. But unless they find the symbols of David or such characters baked into the bricks, not confirmation of anything Biblical.
I heard this on breakpoint ...
Although our faith is built o faith,it is great when we are provided “proof” for the world to see
The article by Paul Johnson is very interesting.
Thanks for the link.
Great finding.
The evidence exists all around us without a doubt.
But even if angels from heaven descended to preach God’s Word, the hardened unbelievers would not be swayed.
Look what they did to Jesus, even with all His miracles.
Our Faith is vindicated when we don’t need evidence to prove it.
As Jesus said to the apostle Peter, “Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you”, after Jesus asked the disciples “Who do you say that I am?”, Peter unhesitantly replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
-Matthew 16:16
No amount of archaelogical evidence, science, theology or otherwise can convince a human of this TRUTH, other than the Holy Spirit of God.
It will be interesting to see the world’s reaction when they discover the Ark of the Covenant, which will undoubtedly be discovered shortly before the Second Advent of Christ.
THANKS.
GOOD DOCS.
GOOD THREAD.
PING END TIMES LIST
for ministry and outreach while the sun still shines.
Thank you.
Thanks for the ping!
Archaeological Discovery Supports Scripture...Once Again
Well, people should know by now... you don't bet against the Bible. You'll lose every single time... LOL...
The historical traces of Jerusalem go back about 4000 years, more then a thousand years before this construction. Lots of time to learn these lessons.
Ummmm..., you did notice that when Joshua and Israel invaded the Promised land and did as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, they did find the Jebusites there (along with a big list of other peoples) ... :-)
As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day. [Joshuah 15:63]
And we see the following ...
3 Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, "You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you," thinking, "David cannot come in here."
7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).
8 Now David said on that day, "Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David's soul), he shall be chief and captain." Therefore they say, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house."
9 Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward.
10 So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. [2 Samuel 5:3-10]
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