Last week, we looked at numerous examples of Old Testament stories previously discounted by scholars which were later proved true through archaeology. William F. Albright, of John Hopkins University, once said:

“There can be no doubt that archaeology has confirmed the substantial historicity of Old Testament tradition.”

In this post, we will look at numerous addition Old Testament stories, people and facts supported by archaeology. They include:

• The existence of the Philistines
• The city of Jericho was discovered in the 1930’s. That discovery showed that the walls fell outward and there were large quantities of grain undisturbed (consistent with God’s command that the Israelites not plunder).
• The City of Ur was found in present day Iraq. Excavations have continued since the 1800’s.
• The site of Sarah’s grave (the wife of Abraham) was located. It is now the home of a Muslim Mosque.
• As regards the Tower of Babel, archaeologists have uncovered information supporting the idea that at one point the entire world shared one language. Furthermore, baked bricks like those described in Genesis have been found in Mesopotamia.
• Illustrations have been found showing Hebrews making bricks for the cities of Pitham and Ramses. This supports the Exodus account.
• The ruins of the city of Beth Shamesh were found and provided evidence of the destruction described in 2 Chronicles 12.
• The Pool of Gibeon mentioned in 2 Samuel 2:3 and Jeremiah 41:12 has been located.
• In 1986, archaeologists found the seal of Baruch, son of Neriah who recorded the prophecies of Jeremiah.
• King Saul established his capital at Gibeah. Both the city and Saul’s fortress-palace have been located.
• Various building projects of Nebuchadnezzar have been uncovered.
• A stone tablet from the 7^th year of Nebuchadnezzar was found which recounts the fall of Jerusalem and the capture of Jehoiachin.
• Beersheba was excavated from 1969 to 1976. The excavation confirmed the description provided in the Bible.
• The worship of Dagon, God of the Philistines (as mentioned in the Bible) has been confirmed by excavations.
• King Ahab was mentioned in the archaeological records of the Assyrians.
• Sennacherib’s Prison was found in Ninevah which talks about the invasion of Judah and how they has trapped Hezekiah in Jerusalem “like a bird cage.”
• The decree of Cyrus to allow the Israelites to return home has been confirmed by archaeological finds.
• The existence of Sargon, King of Assyria (whom the Bible mentions only once) has been confirmed.
• Every reference to an Assyrian King in the Bible has been confirmed.

Continue Reading…

Another area which provides ample evidence for the reliability of the Bible is archaeology. As archeology has grown as a science over the last 100 to 150 years, the number of finds of ancient artifacts has grown exponentially. While not everything referred to in the Old Testament, has been supported by an archaeological find, there has never been a discovery that has contradicted anything found in the Old Testament. Nelson Gluek, who is considered one of the three greatest archaeologists of all time is quoted as having said:

“I’ve been accused of teaching the verbal, plenary inspiration of the scripture. I want it to be understood that I have never taught this. All I have ever said is that in all of my archaeological investigation, I have never found one artifact of antiquity that contradicts any statement of the Word of God.”

And, Continue Reading…

The Bible has impacted great civilizations throughout history. We covered that last week. The Bible, and the Lord that it reveals, has impacted millions upon millions upon millions of individual lives throughout history. J. Carter Swaim once said:

“The real influence of the Bible cannot be measured: It is reckoned only in terms of hearts that have been lifted up, decisions that have been changed, the men and women who, in response to its impervious demands, have done justice and loved kindness and walked humbly with God.”

The Bible has given hope for the despondent, deliverance for the enslaved, and a light for the lost. If the only the lives of few people has been changed, the evidence would not be as compelling. However, the Bible has impacted the lives of people of all ages, races and nationalities have been changed. There are numerous lives and biographies you can look to of Christians throughout history whose lives have been changed. I can only offer my own. This is my testimony about how the Bible and Jesus Christ have changed my life.
Continue Reading…