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?'
Even in modern times - or maybe especially in modern times - archaeologists and anthropologists use the Bible as their most reliable source material. For example, it wasn't until 1993 that a secular historic reference was found to validate the existence of David, Israel's most famous King. Words carved on a basalt rock were discovered that year that spoke of his reign. In 2005, an archaeologist discovered the ruins of David's palace, just where the Old Testament accounts said it would be.
Contrary to popular belief, science also validates the scriptures. The Book of Isaiah, which scholars date centuries before the birth of Christ, tells us that the earth is round. The 'flat earth' theory was mandated as truth until the end of the Middle Ages; to say otherwise was considered heresy, a violation of the very Holy Writ that tells us the truth scientists later proved.
The Book of Job is considered by many to be poetic in nature rather than historical, as much of the Bible is. However, there are many scientific facts in this account of a man tried beyond normal human endurance. The book tells us that fresh-water springs exist on the ocean floor, that light is made up of many colors and can be separated (as we know from the spectrum), and that plants make food from sunshine, a process we now call photosynthesis.
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 Old Testament has long been considered not only a helpful guide to ancient civilizations but the most accurate of all. This is in comparison to Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Greek texts and records. The accuracy of biblical accounts is accepted by the Smithsonian Institute, not a hotbed of religion.
Another branch of scholarship that relies on the Hebrew scriptures is anthropology. In the historical accounts of the nation of Israel, both Hebrew and neighboring kings are listed in chronological order, which agrees with other historical records and inscriptions. The Jewish people group is shown to be over 3,000 years old; it is still coherent even after centuries of dispersal and persecution.
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.
Even in modern times - or maybe especially in modern times - archaeologists and anthropologists use the Bible as their most reliable source material. For example, it wasn't until 1993 that a secular historic reference was found to validate the existence of David, Israel's most famous King. Words carved on a basalt rock were discovered that year that spoke of his reign. In 2005, an archaeologist discovered the ruins of David's palace, just where the Old Testament accounts said it would be.
Contrary to popular belief, science also validates the scriptures. The Book of Isaiah, which scholars date centuries before the birth of Christ, tells us that the earth is round. The 'flat earth' theory was mandated as truth until the end of the Middle Ages; to say otherwise was considered heresy, a violation of the very Holy Writ that tells us the truth scientists later proved.
The Book of Job is considered by many to be poetic in nature rather than historical, as much of the Bible is. However, there are many scientific facts in this account of a man tried beyond normal human endurance. The book tells us that fresh-water springs exist on the ocean floor, that light is made up of many colors and can be separated (as we know from the spectrum), and that plants make food from sunshine, a process we now call photosynthesis.
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 Old Testament has long been considered not only a helpful guide to ancient civilizations but the most accurate of all. This is in comparison to Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Greek texts and records. The accuracy of biblical accounts is accepted by the Smithsonian Institute, not a hotbed of religion.
Another branch of scholarship that relies on the Hebrew scriptures is anthropology. In the historical accounts of the nation of Israel, both Hebrew and neighboring kings are listed in chronological order, which agrees with other historical records and inscriptions. The Jewish people group is shown to be over 3,000 years old; it is still coherent even after centuries of dispersal and persecution.
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.