This week’s presentation continues the topic of Archeology from our “conversations about the Bible” using the acronym MAPS-S with a focus on the New Testament. 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 a few of the many pieces of evidence in archeology for the New Testament this week as we did for the Old Testament last week.

Overview Notes from The Presentation

Christian Apologetics: More Conversations

How do we know the Bible is the Word of God? Part 5

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 The Archeological Evidence

New Testament Archeology

“Since the 1830’s treasure hunters, religious enthusiasts and scholars have flocked here (Jerusalem) to dig into the past of a place billions of people hold sacred. Seeking tombs and riches, the early arrivals created the field of biblical archaeology—the only discipline founded on the idea that the tools of science can bolster rather than undermine traditional faith. In time, they were largely replaced by secular academics who were less devoted to upholding scripture or finding treasure by who nonetheless consider the Bible to be a tool as valuable as their spades.”

Andrew Lawler, Scientific America, April 2022

The exciting part of archeology is that so much of what is uncovered from the first century where Jesus walked and taught is being preserved for us to see today! In many cases new cities were built right on top of the previous ones that were conquered or destroyed. Archeologists can go in and uncover, in a painstakingly slow process, the ruins of these early cultures. This is what tourists get to see in places like Jerusalem, Rome, Turkey and many other modern-day locations, and we can trace Jesus’ footsteps on the “Via Dolorosa” or walk where Paul did on “Straight Street” in Damascus. This what we find in the Bible: Real people in real places, anchored in real events that have real history, not mythology.

“As a matter of fact, however, it may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible”

– Nelson Glueck, Archeologist, “Rivers in the Desert”

New Testament Examples:

So many of the people and places that were recorded in the New Testament are grounded in coinage, monuments, and places you can still see today, for example:

Inscription of Caesar Augustus on coinage dated from that era: Emperor when Jesus was born

Coinage is one of the most unbiased pieces of evidence—it dates eras of time and has always help support Biblical accounts like the one in Matthew 22:15-22 where Jesus had a confrontation with Pharisees

- This particular find confirms Luke’s Gospel account in chapter two, that Caesar Augustus was Emperor at that time

Synagogue at Capernaum: A place where Jesus taught

You can see the layer of the first century ruin still there today with subsequent building on top of it

- Confirms Luke’s Gospel account in chapter seven

Monument of Herod the Great in Jerusalem: King when Jesus was born

Monuments, like coinage, give us undeniable evidence of specific people and the time they existed in real history—this Herod began his rule in 37 BC/BCE

- Confirms Matthew’s Gospel account in chapter two

Jordon River: The place of Jesus’ Baptism

Rivers, like lakes and seas, give us geographical evidence of event locations and this river is still there today

- Confirms Matthew’s Gospel account in chapter three

The Sea of Galilee: Where Jesus walked, went fishing, and talked to the people

This sea, like many others, are still there today and give evidence of real historical settings in the Biblical accounts

- Confirms the Gospel accounts of the location of Jesus’ ministry

Significant finds in archeology have continued to support the Biblical accounts in the New Testament, especially those that were in doubt for centuries, for example:

John’s account in Chapter five of his Gospel was thought, by skeptics, to be fictional because there had been no porches or pools found in that area of Jerusalem.

At the turn of the 20^th century all five porches and the two pools were excavated about 300 feet north of the Temple Mount’s northern wall.

- Confirms the pool of Bethesda exists and the continued historical accuracy of the Gospel of John.

Pilate, was thought, by skeptics, to be a mythological character because there was no physical record of him outside the New Testament.

In 1961 an Italian archeology group uncovered a stone in the Jerusalem area that said: “Pontius Pilate, Perfect of Judea, has presented this Tiberium to the Caesarians”
- Confirms the historical existence of Pilate

Caiaphas was thought, by skeptics, to have not existed because there was no record of him.

In 1990 an ossuary (bone box) with the name Joseph Caiaphas was found dated to the first century
- Confirms the historical existence of Caiaphas and the continued accuracy of the Gospel records

Skeptics also claimed that crucifixion was not used in the first century since there have been no physical specimens of a person who had been crucified.

In 1968 archeologists found a fossil of a crucifixion nail in an ankle bone at a Jerusalem location that dates to the first century and the time of Christ: Yohanan—a crucifixion victim from c. A.D. 70. Crucifixion has also been confirmed through various historical writings outside the Bible as a method of torture and death by Rome only in this time period.

- Confirms the historical accuracy of the use of crucifixion, and nails, in the first century.

The Nazareth Decree: Skeptics have, and always will, question the Resurrection (even though there are over 500 witnesses to the this fact – 1 Corinthians 15).

Discovered in 1878 in Nazareth, it is an edict of the Roman Emperor Claudius which orders that anyone caught disturbing tombs or moving bodies from them should be put to death. The Nazareth inscription can be read as a response by the emperor to the rumor that the disciples stole Christ’s body.
- Confirms Matthew 28:12-13 – the reason the guards were scared and concocted a story about the theft of the body – even though every disciple (except John) experienced martyrdom for belief in Jesus’ Resurrection, and there were over 500 witnesses that saw him

Conclusion

Archeology is just one more line of evidence that helps us have confidence in the reliability and historicity of the Bible.
Today’s technology added to the field of Archeology, even though not intended, continues to give support and truths to what Scripture has always reported.

“This level of detail was wholly missing from previous Biblical archeology… Now we can excavate a home, analyze a family’s food habits and understand their connection with the wider world at that time.”

Andrew Lawler, Scientific American, April 2022

“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;for in Him we live and move and exist” -Acts 17:24-28

Going Deeper

References:

Biblical Archeology Society (BAS)
Archeology Bible Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 2005
Bible Archaeology. Hoerth, Alfred and John McRay
Archaeology & the Bible, What You Need to Know. Rhodes, Ron
Archeology and the Bible (Old and New Testaments). Rose Publishing. Torrance, CA: Rose Publishing Inc.
Popular Handbook of Archeology, Norman Geisler and Joseph Holden
Zondervan Handbook to the Bible (and Biblical Archeology)

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.
What is the significance of New Testament archeology? Give a few examples from the New 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 2:1-20 with your group then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

2. In the beginning of chapter two, Paul reminds them of the events that happened in Philippi before coming to Thessalonica for the first time. (Remember the book of Acts is a “blueprint” for most of the Epistles). Cross-reference by going to the book of Acts and reading chapter 16:16-40. What happened to them in Philippi, and what the result of their faithfulness there?

3. What are some of the characteristics we see in Paul and his companions, concerning their witness to the Gospel (2:2-12), and how can we apply those characteristics to our own Christian witness today?

4. What did Paul praise and give thanks to God for, concerning the Thessalonians and their behavior (2:13-20), and how can their example motivate us today?

5. Memory verses: Recite Acts 17:11 (having Biblical discernment and truth), and add 1 Peter 3:15 (the call to give an answer for our faith – Christian Apologetics).

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