Archeology

The archeological evidence for the Bible's authenticity is overwhelmingly positive. Unlike the writings of Muhammad, Joseph Smith, or other so-called prophets, with every turn of the archeologist's spade there is more proof that the Bible is historically accurate.There has never been an archeological find that has proved the Bible false. Not to be construed as an argument from lack of evidence to the contrary, we see that when a dig has been performed in a biblical area we find exactly what the Bible says we should find. There are cities, cultures, governments, names of families, geography, history - all showing just how accurate the descriptions were when the disciples and others recorded what they had seen. In fact, those who have tried to use archeology to disprove the Bible's trustworthiness have often run into the exact opposite.

Sir William Ramsey, regarded as one of the greatest archeologists in history, set out to disprove the Bible by doing research in Asia Minor to show that the book of Acts was not written by Luke, but by someone in the second century as he had been taught. He studied the topography, antiquities, and society of that culture and what did he find? In his own words: "Luke's history is unsurpassed in respect of its trustworthiness...this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians." What is truly amazing is that once the Bible was used as a guide to find other insights into the life of this community, much more was learned through minute details that never would have been found without it! The full story of this progression of knowledge is astounding to read. (see W.M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen).

Another example is found in the book of Daniel. Daniel speaks of a king named Belshazzar of Babylon. Because of this reference, the book was dismissed as fictional due to the fact that there was no mention of a king with that name in existence other than Daniel's account. It was later discovered that the reigning king at that time, Nabonidus, had appointed Belshazzar as his co-regent while at war away from Babylon. Daniel was accurate, and the historicity of the Bible was proven once again.

Until 1961 the name of Pontius Pilate (the man who eventually sentenced Jesus to death) was unheard of outside of the biblical record. However, in 1961 two Italian archeologists discovered a record of his service as Prefect of Judea in the region of Caesarea...the Roman capital of Palestine!

Another involves the city of Ninevah from the book of Jonah and others. Also assumed to be fiction, it was later dug up by the man who thought it to be nonexistent! Time and again we see that the facts of archeology do nothing but add to the Bible's authenticity, while it is only the opinions of liberal critics that serve to cause any doubt.

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
Luke 19:40

Some more archeological evidence for Scripture's accuracy:

  • Hittite civilization (Genesis 15:20) discovered in 1906
  • Quirinius Governor of Syria (Luke 2:1-3) confirmed as a double duty by coin
  • Correct titles of government praetor, proconsul, first man, politarchs (Luke's writings)
  • John alone mentions The Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15), it was found as described
  • The walls of Jericho (Joshua 6) with the exception of part of the Northern wall - Rahab's house??? (Heb. 11:30-31) - found in 1950. They were burned and fallen from the inside out.
  • Census taking in first century (Gospels) method of family counting used is accurate
  • Pilate the Governor's (John 19) existence confirmed by inscription found in 1961
  • Jesus' direction of travel (Mark 7:31) probable route through mountains makes sense
  • Daniel accurately recorded Belshazzar's position (5:16) as co-regent
  • Nazareth's existence (John 1:46) confirmed by family lists and tombs in vicinity 1962
  • Method of crucifixion  confirmed in 1968
  • The method and fact of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) verified
  • Lysanius the Tetrarch (Luke 3:1) confirmed as correct name for that time period
  • The Pool of Siloam (John 9:7) found as described
  • Jacob's Well (John 4:12) found as described
  • Cities of  Lycaonia included Iconium (Acts 14:6) confirmed as correct
  • Erastus the city treasurer (Romans 16:23) inscription found in Corinth in 1929
  • Ecclessia meeting in theater (Acts 19:23) found
  • The proper title "meris" used of Philippi of Macedonia
  • Jesus' probable home unearthed in Capernaum (Mark 1:29-34)
  • Millstones (Luke 17:2) unearthed in Capernaum
  • First century Galilean boat found to hold crew of 13  1986
  • John (3:23) correctly identifies John the Baptist as being in Aeno
  • John (2:1) distinguishes the two Canas, and the two Bethanys (1:28; 11:18)
  • John (4:5-6) specifies the city of Sychar in Samaria where Jacob's well is found.
  • Evidence has also been found for the Tower of Babel and the confusion of languages
  • The method and destruction of the city of Tyre is 100% accurate (Ezekial 26)
  • Christ was tried by Pilate in the "Gabbatha" (or pavement) found (John 19:13)
  • Personal and place names in the Patriarchal accounts are genuine "Canaan" "tehom" (Ebla)
  • In 1977 an inscription mentioning Dan was found near the high place (1 Kings 12:28-29)
  • The Mesha Inscription found in Jordan mentions the tribe of Gad (Joshua 13:24-28)
  • The Babylonians recorded the fall of the "city of JUDAH" to Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC
  • The palace at Jericho where Eglon, king of Moab, was assassinated by Ehud .
  • The east gate of Shechem where the forces of Abimelech approached the city found
  • The Temple of Baal/El-Berith in Shechem,
  • The pool of Gibeon where the forces of David and Ishbosheth fought found
  • The royal palace at Samaria where the kings of Israel lived
  • The Pool of Samaria where King Ahab's chariot was washed after his death found
  • The water tunnel beneath Jerusalem dug by King Hezekiah during the Assyrian siege found
  • The royal palace in Babylon where King Belshazzar held the feast
  • The royal palace in Susa where Esther was queen of the Persian king Xerxes found
  • The royal gate at Susa where Mordecai, Esther's cousin, sat found
  • The Square in front of the royal gate at Susa where Mordecai met with Halthach found
  • The foundation of the synagogue at Capernaum where Jesus cured a man with an unclean spirit and delivered the sermon on the bread of life
  • The tribunal at Corinth where Paul was tried found
  • The theater at Ephesus where the riot of silversmiths occurred found
  • Herod's palace at Caesarea where Paul was kept under guard found
  • Graves of Caiaphas the High Priest (John 18:13), Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1-7), Cyrus the Great (Isaiah 45),  Darius-I the Great (Ezra 6) known
    The cave of the Patriarchs (Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah and Jacob) known
  • Grave of David and Solomon known
  • Grave of Uzziah (an inscription was found on the Mount of Olives in 1931 which reads, "Here were brought the bones of Uzziah, King of  Judah - do not open."...evidently because of  leprosy)