The lessons of history are constantly repeated, since people have a great ability to ignore what happened even one generation earlier. Even significant people and events fade rapidly from the collective consciousness. One of the most important times in history - the life of Jesus - has left a wealth of references in holy writ and secular records of the period. However, people of every succeeding generation have asked; 'Is the Bible true?'
More and more, anthropologists and archaeologists use the writings of the Hebrews to understand ancient times and races. The accounts, called by Christians the Old Testament, become increasingly important as new discoveries are made. In 2005, guided by Old Testament accounts, an archaeologist found the remains of King David's palace. The very existence of Israel's most famous king was not confirmed until his name was found on an ancient stone discovered in 1993.
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.
Another account, the Book of Job, is considered symbolic rather than historical. Many regard it as poetry. God's truth is revealed all through it, however. We read that plants make their food from sunlight (now called the process of photosynthesis), that there are springs of fresh water deep under the saltwater oceans, and that light is made up of many colors and can be separated into a rainbow spectrum.
It is ironic that so many say that the Age of Science did away with any basis for reliance on biblical texts. The fact is that many so-called ground-breaking scientific discoveries have been refuted, while the biblical accounts are recognized as accurate. A reading of the scriptures can even trigger new ideas, like the 'paths of the ocean' mentioned in Psalm 8. Matthew Maury read the psalm, wondered about the meaning of the 'paths', and found the Gulf Stream, a strong current that affects both ocean and land. He was not the first to document it, but the psalm is what led him to find it for himself.
The Smithsonian Institute is not regarded as a supporter of Christianity, but this prestigious organization has issued a statement calling biblical records the most accurate that we have. In comparison with those of other ancient civilizations - Greek, Egyptian, Mesopotamian - they are more reliable. Modern archaeology both uses the scriptures and validates them.
Ancient monuments have shown that the Jewish people have been a nation for over 3,000 years. They have had an enduring, cohesive social structure in spite of conquest, captivity, dispersal, and persecution. A timeline of world history shows that many events predicted in the scriptures - the prophecies - have come to pass exactly as foretold. This historical accuracy lends credence to the spiritual truths in this, the Word of God.
The study of scripture to prove its truth is called Apologetics. This fascinating subject gained new impetus when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, analyzed, and found to authenticate the translations that had come down through the ages.
More and more, anthropologists and archaeologists use the writings of the Hebrews to understand ancient times and races. The accounts, called by Christians the Old Testament, become increasingly important as new discoveries are made. In 2005, guided by Old Testament accounts, an archaeologist found the remains of King David's palace. The very existence of Israel's most famous king was not confirmed until his name was found on an ancient stone discovered in 1993.
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.
Another account, the Book of Job, is considered symbolic rather than historical. Many regard it as poetry. God's truth is revealed all through it, however. We read that plants make their food from sunlight (now called the process of photosynthesis), that there are springs of fresh water deep under the saltwater oceans, and that light is made up of many colors and can be separated into a rainbow spectrum.
It is ironic that so many say that the Age of Science did away with any basis for reliance on biblical texts. The fact is that many so-called ground-breaking scientific discoveries have been refuted, while the biblical accounts are recognized as accurate. A reading of the scriptures can even trigger new ideas, like the 'paths of the ocean' mentioned in Psalm 8. Matthew Maury read the psalm, wondered about the meaning of the 'paths', and found the Gulf Stream, a strong current that affects both ocean and land. He was not the first to document it, but the psalm is what led him to find it for himself.
The Smithsonian Institute is not regarded as a supporter of Christianity, but this prestigious organization has issued a statement calling biblical records the most accurate that we have. In comparison with those of other ancient civilizations - Greek, Egyptian, Mesopotamian - they are more reliable. Modern archaeology both uses the scriptures and validates them.
Ancient monuments have shown that the Jewish people have been a nation for over 3,000 years. They have had an enduring, cohesive social structure in spite of conquest, captivity, dispersal, and persecution. A timeline of world history shows that many events predicted in the scriptures - the prophecies - have come to pass exactly as foretold. This historical accuracy lends credence to the spiritual truths in this, the Word of God.
The study of scripture to prove its truth is called Apologetics. This fascinating subject gained new impetus when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, analyzed, and found to authenticate the translations that had come down through the ages.
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