Bible and Archaeology!

 

Question: Does confirmation of the Bible as God's Word depend on Archaeology?

 

No, but some finds do so!

“Confirmation” in the case of the Word of God in the Bible, is a matter of Faith, which reaches a high point at some stage in the seeker’s lifetime.

A notable Bible Archaeologist Dr. Werner Keller, wrote a very good book called “THE BIBLE AS HISTORY”, which is a very good read.

Christ Jesus confirms the Bible:

Jewish interpretation of "The Law", the first 5 books given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, together with "The Prophets" is today called "Torah". The original Words were given by God to Moses, (known as Biblical Judaism), see: Jewish Scriptures:

They form part of the Old Testament "Bible" of today around the World.  These Words were, and are accepted as from Almighty God by Judaism, Christianity and others.  Where Judaism and Christianity part company, and differ, is at the point of the ending of the OT, and its many versions, and the start of what is called "The New Testament" (NT as is well known, much interference and alteration has taken place as regards the Bible text, both OT, and NT, (see: Bible Text Corruption:).

In the case of the religious Jews, after the death of Ezra, the original "Law" was added to, and the same "tradition" produced "Talmud" (the traditions of the Pharisees) and also the "Mishna", which is "oral law", (this oral tradition was by AD. 250 written and called Mishna), developed by the Pharisees and Scribes.  These later human interpretations were lumped together with the original, and are loosely called “Torah”.  Some Jews say these later interpretations supersede the Mosaic Law, and demand obedience to them over the original! There is variation of opinion amongst religious Jews, as to the authenticity of the writings and interpretations since Ezra.  The Jews major departure from Truth after Ezra, producing the above mentioned, were condemned by Jesus, and also the degraded Temple worship, which is illustrated by His oft comments and prophetic condemnation of the Scribes and Pharisees.

When Jesus cleansed the "Temple of the Jews" of traders etc., it was a physical manifestation of the anger of Almighty God against the corruptions that had developed in the ruling hierarchy of the Jews, led by the Pharisees in the Sanhedrin.  During the Ministry of Jesus, He referred frequently to Old Testament passages, especially those referring to Himself as the Suffering Messiah.  After His Crucifixion and Resurrection, He again referred to many parts of the OT, and notably, on the Emmaus road, made Himself unrecognised to His grieving disciples as He explained the Law and the Prophets relative to Himself!  In so doing, Jesus the Christ of Almighty God, confirmed and authenticated the OT as THE WORD of God, and that He was The Word made flesh!

Regarding the New Testament, how can we be sure that in the same mode, the NT has the same veracity and endorsement of Christ as the OT?  When the Apostle Paul (previously Saul) was confronted and blinded by the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), the action by Christ was to slow the persecution to death of Christians by Paul, but more importantly, as was told to Ananias (v. 15), "he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel"! Such a profound action as the selection of Paul in this way by Christ Himself, gives the necessary verification and endorsement to the NT, as to the OT!  (See: Apostle Paul:).

From the foregoing it is clear that Christ confirmed OT, and NT. see: Canon of Scripture.  What has happened since that time, is the constant attack of the enemy of God and His people, on the very Word itself!  The reasoning is the same as in the garden of Eden, corrupt the Word, confuse the people, and gain control and cause division!  That is evident all over the world, and at this particular time in the world's history, with the events in the Mid-East relative to Israel, is very pertinent to the whole world population!  The process of corruption and control of God's Word, started very soon after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, and interestingly, by the same Ruling Roman Empire!  There had been various attacks by the enemy of God's Word, Gnosticism, Arianism, Montanism, to name but a few, and when Constantine came to power, the process of standardisation and control began.

Further readings:

Bible Dispensations   

Veracity of the Bible:   

Christ Confirms the OT and NT   

Criticism of the Origins of the Bible:   

God's Word and NASA! 

 

If you have questions or comments, please click here.

Or go to Chapters 1 to 22  or

Subjectindex  or

SUBJECTS GROUPED 

revelationsmessage.co.uk or

Subjects Additions