The Dead Sea Scrolls

by Terry Wane Benton Dead Sea Scrolls – 250BC to AD70 Photo by Lux Moundi. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanjj/8246948498 The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of 980 Hebrew documents found in the Qumran limestone caves between 1947 and 2017. Most of the texts are written on parchment. About 40% were copies from the Old Testament. Before the…

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Early House of Worship

Source: “Christians didn’t worship in houses? New study drops bombshell on religious archaeology,” StudyFinds.org, 30 August 2024. Early Christians “may have been more intentional in creating distinct sacred spaces than previously thought.” “One of the most striking findings was the removal of key features that defined Durene houses, such as the building’s cistern and food…

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What physical evidence is there that Solomon existed?

Question: Hello, I’d like to know if there’s any physical or scientific evidence of his existence. Thank you. Answer: Isn’t it amazing that people will cite historical documents and accept that someone like Julius Caesar or Sargon existed, but the Bible is skipped even though it is an ancient document? Now, if you are asking…

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Has the Ark of the Covenant been Found?

Question: Hi Jeff, Today a co-worker and I were discussing Ron Wyatt’s discovery of the ark of the covenant and when the earth shook, whether it was before Jesus said “it is finished” or after. He also quoted the crossing of the Red Sea discoveries of the Israelites and how accurate his findings are. Immediately…

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The Lachish Reliefs and Sennacherib’s Annals

by David Wheeler Today we will discuss a rather large archaeological discovery. It is the Lachish Reliefs from the palace of Sennacherib which were unearthed between 1845 and 1847. Sennacherib was the king of Assyria from 705-681 BC and his reign largely overlapped the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. During this period, the kings…

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The Merneptah Stele

by David Wheeler Merenptah Stele Archaeology is a very helpful tool in establishing the existence of a place, ruler, or event. It becomes of increased interest to us when these discoveries shed light on a biblical place, figure, or event. The past three articles here have focused on those types of discoveries. The remains of…

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The Kurkh Monoliths – Stele of Shalmaneser III

by David Wheeler Via Evidence in Archaeology To see a Biblical figure referenced in a stone inscription is a beautiful thing. It testifies that the book which we revere and study from is a trustworthy historical document and based in reality. Sometimes the secular inscriptions can reveal details of the Biblical figure’s life that aren’t…

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Archaeology and the New Testament

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ArchaeologyAndTheNewTestament.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 1:1-4   I.         The Bible is a historical book that contains many historical references, but it is not a book of mankind’s history.             A.        But where it mentions historical facts, it has always been proven to be true.                         1.         Arguments against the Bible are based on the lack of supporting evidence…

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The Historical Accuracy of the Bible

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/HistoricalAccuracyOfTheBible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 41:21-29   I.         When we claim that the Bible is inspired, we are giving a vague notion that it uplifts a person (though it does) or that it is unique (though it is).             A.        Inspiration means it came from the mouth of God – II Timothy 3:16-17             B.        But it is…

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Archaeology and the Old Testament

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ArchaeologyAndTheBible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 41:21-29   I.         Mankind’s memories of the past are poor at best             A.        In general, we don’t keep extensive records and those records we do keep are often on material that does not last.             B.        There is a branch of science, called archeology that attempts to bring the past to light.…

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Was Jesus married?

Question: Was Jesus married? Answer: “Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:6). Source: “Did Jesus have a wife?” The New York Times, September 19, 2012. Let’s start with the evidence: There is a fragment, measuring 4 x 8 centimeters, that contains the words “Jesus said to…

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Does a Camel Bone Disprove the Bible?

by Terry Partain Fox News, Yahoo News, Forbes, Duke University, and of course the New York Times have jumped on a story from Tel Aviv University that claims they have finally found evidence that the Bible made a mistake. Could be they think Bill Nye the Science Guy needs a little help. They have found camel bones…

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I’ve read that Joshua’s conquest of Jericho and Ai could not have happened.

Question: I’ve been reading about archaeology and the city of Ai and that Joshua’s conquest could not have happened there as the Bible claims. I really could use some help with that. Answer: You need to keep in mind that the “datings” by archeologists are based on modern-day chronologies which have a likelihood of errors. What is…

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Evidence from a Pottery Shard

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Skeptics of the Bible long have tried to deny that the text is as ancient as the Bible claims. One popular myth is to claim that the Old Testament was written during the Babylonian captivity and was a record of the Israelite’s legends. To that is added the claim that David…

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What do you think about this Jesus tomb found in Jerusalem?

Question: What is your feeling about this Jesus tomb found in Jerusalem?  They say the odds of a “Jesus son of Joseph” and Mary on the same tomb together is 1 out of 600.  Does this mean Jesus had a son? Answer: When I saw the article in yesterday’s paper, I just knew someone would…

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Babylon Clay Tablet Confirms Jeremiah

by Ben M. Shropshire via Lifeline, 7/15/00 The recent discovery of a cuneiform clay tablet by an Austrian scholar at the site of ancient Babylon confirms the historical accuracy of the book of Jeremiah. The recently deciphered tablet, which dates from 595 BC, refers to an official in the court of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon,…

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