Historians shake their heads over the fact that each generation seems oblivious to the lessons learned by earlier ones. Significant events and very important people leave little impression on those who follow. Even the life and accomplishments of Jesus have faded. People still ask: Is the Bible true?
Even in modern times - or maybe especially in modern times - archaeologists and anthropologists use the Bible as their most reliable source material. For example, it wasn't until 1993 that a secular historic reference was found to validate the existence of David, Israel's most famous King. Words carved on a basalt rock were discovered that year that spoke of his reign. In 2005, an archaeologist discovered the ruins of David's palace, just where the Old Testament accounts said it would be.
Many scientific discoveries also support passages in the scriptures. Even though the Book of Isaiah was written perhaps seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, it tells us that the earth is round and suspended in space. The 'flat earth' belief was accepted until the 1400s, however.
Another account, the Book of Job, is considered symbolic rather than historical. Many regard it as poetry. God's truth is revealed all through it, however. We read that plants make their food from sunlight (now called the process of photosynthesis), that there are springs of fresh water deep under the saltwater oceans, and that light is made up of many colors and can be separated into a rainbow spectrum.
People who believe the truth of biblical accounts are often accused of being anti-science and anti-intellectual. However, many things that science once taught are being refuted by new methods and discoveries, while biblical teachings are found to hold up. Scientists even use the Holy Writ as inspiration, like Matthew Maury, who wanted to find the 'paths of the sea' talked about in the eighth Psalm. He found (like others before him) the Gulf Stream, a powerful current that ships can use to guide them at sea.
As for archaeology, the Old Testament has long been used as the most accurate historical guide to ancient civilizations. Even the prestigious Smithsonian Institute declares those Hebrew texts to be more accurate than Egyptian, Mesopotamian, or Greek records. Recent discoveries continue to validate the scriptures.
Another branch of scholarship that relies on the Hebrew scriptures is anthropology. In the historical accounts of the nation of Israel, both Hebrew and neighboring kings are listed in chronological order, which agrees with other historical records and inscriptions. The Jewish people group is shown to be over 3,000 years old; it is still coherent even after centuries of dispersal and persecution.
Apologetics, or the proving of biblical accounts, is a fascinating study for both Christians and non-believers. Most scholarly doubts about the reliability of scripture were set to rest when the Dead Sea Scrolls, which validated later copies and translations, were discovered in a desert cave by a shepherd boy.
Even in modern times - or maybe especially in modern times - archaeologists and anthropologists use the Bible as their most reliable source material. For example, it wasn't until 1993 that a secular historic reference was found to validate the existence of David, Israel's most famous King. Words carved on a basalt rock were discovered that year that spoke of his reign. In 2005, an archaeologist discovered the ruins of David's palace, just where the Old Testament accounts said it would be.
Many scientific discoveries also support passages in the scriptures. Even though the Book of Isaiah was written perhaps seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, it tells us that the earth is round and suspended in space. The 'flat earth' belief was accepted until the 1400s, however.
Another account, the Book of Job, is considered symbolic rather than historical. Many regard it as poetry. God's truth is revealed all through it, however. We read that plants make their food from sunlight (now called the process of photosynthesis), that there are springs of fresh water deep under the saltwater oceans, and that light is made up of many colors and can be separated into a rainbow spectrum.
People who believe the truth of biblical accounts are often accused of being anti-science and anti-intellectual. However, many things that science once taught are being refuted by new methods and discoveries, while biblical teachings are found to hold up. Scientists even use the Holy Writ as inspiration, like Matthew Maury, who wanted to find the 'paths of the sea' talked about in the eighth Psalm. He found (like others before him) the Gulf Stream, a powerful current that ships can use to guide them at sea.
As for archaeology, the Old Testament has long been used as the most accurate historical guide to ancient civilizations. Even the prestigious Smithsonian Institute declares those Hebrew texts to be more accurate than Egyptian, Mesopotamian, or Greek records. Recent discoveries continue to validate the scriptures.
Another branch of scholarship that relies on the Hebrew scriptures is anthropology. In the historical accounts of the nation of Israel, both Hebrew and neighboring kings are listed in chronological order, which agrees with other historical records and inscriptions. The Jewish people group is shown to be over 3,000 years old; it is still coherent even after centuries of dispersal and persecution.
Apologetics, or the proving of biblical accounts, is a fascinating study for both Christians and non-believers. Most scholarly doubts about the reliability of scripture were set to rest when the Dead Sea Scrolls, which validated later copies and translations, were discovered in a desert cave by a shepherd boy.
About the Author:
You can visit www.commonsenseministries.com for more helpful information about Is The Bible True And How You Can Know.
No comments:
Post a Comment