This week the presentation focuses on the “A” for Archeology from our acronym MAPS-S. Archeological evidence for the Bible is strong, and is one of the best ways to affirm and confirm, events, people, and places spoken of in the Bible. We will look specifically at some of the top pieces of evidence in archeology for the Old Testament this week, and the New Testament next week.

Watch this week’s presentation on this topic:

Overview Notes From the Presentation

Christian Apologetics: More Conversations

How do we know the Bible is the Word of God? Part 4

MAPS-S

The acronym MAPS-S give us a snapshot of the evidence for the inspiration, inerrancy and reliability of the Bible.

M = Manuscript evidence

A = Archeological evidence

P = Evidence from Prophecy fulfillment

S = Evidence based on Scientific authenticity

S = Evidence from Saved Lives over the centuries

MAPS-S

Archeology: “The Scientific study of material remains of past human life and activities.”

–Miriam Webster

Archeological Evidence

How do we date things in Archeology?

They look at the context of the find that includes…

The geographic area of the find
Strata level
Historical references
Carbon dating (and other dating methods)
Coinage, pottery and other artifacts specific to the time period

Some facts about Archeology and the Bible:

Archeology uncovers physical evidence like coinage, pottery, and sculptures from dig sites that help confirm ancient cities, fortresses, people, and events
Uncovered artifacts directly or indirectly give support to both Old and New Testament accounts
Since the Bible contains historical narration many scholars and archeologist have used Biblical references to uncover truths about events, times, people, and places in both secular and Biblical history
To date there have been over 25,000 archeological discoveries that support a variety of Biblical accounts, both Old and New Testaments
No valid archeological find (zero) has ever contradicted a Biblical account
Excavated examples include: The walls of Jericho; Dead Sea Scrolls; David’s buildings and inscription; various monuments, statues and inscriptions; and a first century crucifixion victim

How does Archeology relate to the Bible?

Archeology is a relatively new science that did not take root until the nineteenth century AD/CE, prior to that time grave robbers mainly did the Archeology! The avalanche of discoveries that have occurred since the nineteenth century consistently supports Biblical accounts. Could it be that if the Bible is accurate in its historical record of people, places, and events it might also be accurate on its other claims?

Archeology is just one more piece in our growing list of evidence for the accuracy and reliability of the Bible. As we have seen with the mountains of manuscript evidence, archeological support gives us additional confidence that what we are reading in the Bible is based on truth.

“Archeology helps us find background support that confirms Biblical accounts; anchors the foundations of recorded Biblical events in the reality of the times and cultures they were written in; and increases our confidence in God’s revelation when the truth of Scripture is tied to real historical events.”

– Dr. Walter Kaiser, Jr., Old Testament Scholar and Author

“The geography of Bible lands and visible remains of antiquity were gradually recorded until today more than 25,000 sites within this region and dating to Old Testament times, in their broadest sense, have been located…”

– Donald J. Wiseman, “Archaeological Confirmation of the Old Testament,” in C.F.H. Henry, “Revelation and the Bible”

Let’s look at a few examples of some significant finds in archeology that have refuted long standing criticism from skeptics:

Skeptics have claimed that stories in the Old Testament are just myths, especially in Genesis, since there is no outside record of places like Sodom and Gomorrah.

The most significant find in the twenty-first century is the discovery of the location of Sodom and the other ‘Cities of the Plain’ at the northern end of the Dead Sea. Dr. Steven Collins is the Director of the Tall El-Hamman Excavation Project that is currently conducting excavations at this site.
- Supports the historical existence of Sodom, Gomorrah and the ‘Cities of the Plain.’

Skeptics have claimed there was no written language at the time of Moses, so Moses could not have written the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament).

The Black Diorite Stele was discovered containing detailed laws of Hammurabi (Mesopotamian ruler c.1792-1750 B.C.) written 300 years before the time of Moses and in the same region that Moses lived. The Ebla Tablets were also found in 1970 in northern Syria and are dated about 1,000 years before Moses.
- Supports the use of written language at and before the time of Moses.

Skeptics have claimed it was impossible for the walls of Jericho to have fallen the way it is reported in the Bible and during the timeframe of the Biblical account.

The Walls of Jericho have now been excavated where Joshua and the Israelites began the conquest of the Promised Land and the evidence shows an outward fall or collapse of the walls with dating to the time of Joshua.
- Supports the Biblical account of what happened in Joshua Chapter 6.

Skeptics have claimed that King David was mythological as there was no evidence outside the Bible for his existence.

In 1993 three stones were found in Northern Israel in the territory of Dan. The stones have the name ‘David, King of Israel’ and ‘the house of David’ inscribed on them. These stones have been dated to the same time period that the Bible records David’s life. A 1995 Time magazine article reported on this archeological find confirming the existence of David. Since then there have been other related finds including the apparent discovery of David’s Palace the gates to Goliath’s hometown, and other account related to the Philistines at the time of David and Solomon.

Skeptics claimed the stories of King David and his son Solomon’s building of Jerusalem and the Temple were myths since there was no evidence in that time period

In November of 2010, the Associated Press reported that, “ancient fortifications recently excavated in Jerusalem date back 3,000 years to the time of King Solomon and support the Biblical narrative about that era—if the age of the wall is correct, then the finding is key as it would match the Bible’s account that the Hebrew Kings David and Solomon ruled from Jerusalem around that time”
- Supports the Biblical account of Kings David and Solomon’s building of the City of Jerusalem and the Temple during that era

Skeptics have said the tunnels built by Hezekiah when Hezekiah and the nation of Judah withstood the Assyrian attack, never existed

The tunnel was first described in modern times by Franciscus Quaresmius in 1625; it was later explored in 1838 by the American Biblical scholar Edward Robinson and in 1865 by Charles Warren
- Supports the Biblical account of Hezekiah and the tunnels he built

Skeptics have said the events and writings of the prophet Daniel could not have happened during the period reported because they are too accurate and precise.

Then archeologists found the East India Inscription that corresponds with the Daniel account of Nebuchadnezzar’s building during the time period in question.
- Supports the Biblical account that Daniel was an eyewitness to the Babylonian exile and lived in this time period making it impossible for his writings to be at a later date.

Skeptics have said Bible prophesies, especially the Isaiah prophesy that names Cyrus some 150 years before his birth, are so accurate and detailed that they must have been written years after the events occurred.

The Cyrus Cylinder was discovered in an 1879 excavation at Babylon (now in Iraq, then in the Ottoman Empire), by Hormuzd Rassam on behalf of the British Museum. It was written in Babylonian cuneiform on the orders of the Persian king Cyrus the Great after his conquest of Babylon in 539 BC.
- The Cyrus Cylinder supports the Biblical account of the person, time, and events of Cyrus. Cyrus was predicted by name in the Bible 150 years before his birth (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1) to be the ruler who would allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple after seventy years in Babylonian captivity, and it happened and is confirmed here!

Skeptics have said the Old Testament records could not be accurate since the earliest manuscript copies we have date late at c. 900 A.D.

Then archeologists discovered a silver amulet that was found in one of a series of tombs on the south side of Jerusalem’s Hinnom Valley. The amulet is dated seventh century B.C. and has an abbreviated version of part of the book of Numbers.
- Confirms the existence of the Torah in very early Jewish history and it matches what we have in our Old Testament today!

Skeptics have criticized the times of Joshua

Then, just recently archeologists discovered a tablet on Mt. Ebal now known as the YHWH Inscription, “Mt. Ebal – Curse Tablet” dated to the time of Joshua, 1400
- Confirms the events recorded in Deuteronomy 27-28 and Joshua 8::30-35!

Best evidence for the whole:

Skeptics have said the whole of the Old Testament cannot possibly be the same as what we have today, and the Messianic prophecies they contain had to have been added centuries later because they are too precise.

The most significant find of the twentieth century for the historicity and reliability of the Old Testament was the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 and to date they have recovered about 931 scrolls.
The Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) are dated c. 250 B.C. to A.D. 100 and close a 1000 year gap from the previously held copies.
The DSS confirm that what was used at Jesus’ time and before are the same as what we have in our possession today.
The DSS are highly significant because they are dated prior to the time of Christ. This means that they not only support the accuracy and reliability of our Old Testament today, but they confirm the hundreds of predictive prophecy fulfilled in Jesus (that could not have been written after the fact).
The most important find is the complete scroll of the book of Isaiah and the match is virtually identical to what we have today!

Even secular news has reported:

“In extraordinary ways, modern archaeology has affirmed the historical core of the Old and New Testaments—corroborating key portions of the stories of Israel’s patriarchs, the Exodus, the Davidic monarchy, and the life and times of Jesus.”

– Jeffery Sheler, “Is the Bible True,” US News & World Report

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. –Isaiah 55:8-11

Going Deeper

Documentary clips that show the evidence as it has been discovered by Archeologists:

“Why Sodom Matters – Genesis 13:1-12,” by Dr. Steven Collins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lf4rwTx3lc

“Jericho Found!! Bible Archaeology,” by Expedition Bible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYrSkikZhxI

Patterns of Evidence: “The Exodus Revealed” and “The Moses Controversy
https://patternsofevidence.com

Reflection

If you only had one minute for each question, to the best of your ability, give a quick answer in your own words, (note – these are building from the presentation notes each week):

What are the four important areas for Christian growth?
What are the twelve points that will help you tell the Bible’s Big Picture?
What are the two most important questions you can ask when someone makes a claim about Christianity, or a belief that they hold to be true that is in conflict with the Christian Worldview?
What is the Moral Law argument for the existence of God? Give an example.
How is evil defined from a Christian Worldview? Give an example.
What are the three factors in identifying sources of evil?
What three characteristics does Satan possess that he wants to bring out in us?
What does it mean for a Christian to have a proper perspective of eternity?
What is a miracle, and how is it different from natural occurrences?
What does the acronym MAPS-S stand for, and how does it help us confirm the Bible’s reliability?
There are seven lines of evidence for the “M” in MAP-S. What are they?
What does the “A” stand for? Give a few examples from the Old Testament.

Bible Study

Note: Basic answers will be posted mid-week for your review, and to make a leader’s guide for future studies!

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Note: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for Discussion or Going Deeper questions. If you use these kinds of sources share them with your group.

1. Review of Class Topic:

With your table group, discuss today’s presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 with your group then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions that include the “hermeneutics” (background and context for the book):

2. Who authored the book, and what can we know about him (or them)?

3. When was the book written? Discuss why it might be important to know the dating of the book.

4. Who was the audience?

a. The book of Acts is a blueprint for most of the Epistles and Paul’s missionary journeys, and it gives us insight to the beginning of these churches. Read Acts 17:1-15. What happened there?

b. How was Paul’s experience with the Thessalonians different from that with the Bereans?

c. Is there an application that relates to us in today’s culture, from that experience?

5. Going Deeper: What is the genre, purpose and theme(s) of 1 Thessalonians?

6. (From chapter 1) What are some things the author has to say about the recipients’ of this letter?

7. Discuss: What might have happened to the Thessalonians from the time recorded in Acts (where Paul was driven out) until this letter was written?

8. Memory verse: Recite Acts 17:11

Join us next week as we continue our study in Christian Apologetics with more conversations on the topic of the Bible!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15