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.
The Book of Job is considered by many to be poetic in nature rather than historical, as much of the Bible is. However, there are many scientific facts in this account of a man tried beyond normal human endurance. The book tells us that fresh-water springs exist on the ocean floor, that light is made up of many colors and can be separated (as we know from the spectrum), and that plants make food from sunshine, a process we now call photosynthesis.
Today it's almost automatic to say that those who believe in the truth of scripture ignore the evidence of science. However, the reverse is actually true. Those who cling to 'random chance' theories and macro-evolution are ignoring things like the discovery of DNA. Scientists often begin to wonder about things they read in the scriptures. One example is Matthew Maury, who became intrigued by the 'paths of the sea' in Psalm 8. A sailor familiar with the world's oceans, he began to look for these and found the Gulf Stream (not a new discovery but new for him).
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.
The Book of Job is considered by many to be poetic in nature rather than historical, as much of the Bible is. However, there are many scientific facts in this account of a man tried beyond normal human endurance. The book tells us that fresh-water springs exist on the ocean floor, that light is made up of many colors and can be separated (as we know from the spectrum), and that plants make food from sunshine, a process we now call photosynthesis.
Today it's almost automatic to say that those who believe in the truth of scripture ignore the evidence of science. However, the reverse is actually true. Those who cling to 'random chance' theories and macro-evolution are ignoring things like the discovery of DNA. Scientists often begin to wonder about things they read in the scriptures. One example is Matthew Maury, who became intrigued by the 'paths of the sea' in Psalm 8. A sailor familiar with the world's oceans, he began to look for these and found the Gulf Stream (not a new discovery but new for him).
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.
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