Current Events

In the next few days, the Summer 2010 issue of Bible and Spade will be shipped out to our members and subscribers all around the world. This issue of Bible and Spade presents a panorama of topics related to the New Testament. Brian Janeway explores the various sites in and around Damascus from the life of the Apostle Paul, as described in the book of Acts. He helps us connect the historical accounts of Paul’s life with locations in modern Damascus. Gordon Franz and Ernie McGinnis explain the mystery behind miniature metal skeletons and their relationship to Epicurean philosophy and the writings of the Apostle Paul. We gain fascinating insights to the biblical (Isaiah 22:13) and common expression, “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” David Hansen provides an excellent overview of the Sea of Galilee, explaining many fascinating details, especially in regards to Jesus’ ministry. Included in this issue is Part 2 of David Graves’ insightful article entitled, Jesus Speaks to Seven of His Churches. As we read these articles the New Testament comes to life, as the archaeological and geographical research presented elucidates the Scriptures, providing clear evidence that the biblical accounts are true in all their details.

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Spectacular 2,000-year-old Hellenistic-style wall paintings have been revealed at the world heritage site of Petra through the expertise of British conservation specialists. The paintings, in a cave complex, had been obscured by centuries of black soot, smoke and greasy substances, as well as graffiti.

Experts from the Courtauld Institute in London have now removed the black grime, uncovering paintings whose "exceptional" artistic quality and sheer beauty are said to be superior even to some of the better Roman paintings at Herculaneum that were inspired by Hellenistic art.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/aug/22/hellenistic-wall-paintings-petra

Two fossilised horse bones with cuneiform inscriptions have been found in China, carved with extracts from the Cyrus Cylinder. They were initially dismissed as fakes because of the improbability of ancient Persian texts turning up in Beijing. But following new research, British Museum (BM) specialist Irving Finkel is now convinced of their authenticity.

http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Extracts-of-Cyrus-Cylinder-found-in-China_/21147

http://www.mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=1130332

Archaeologists have uncovered a Philistine temple and evidence of a major earthquake in biblical times, during digs carried out at the Tel Tzafit National Park near Kiryat Gat. The site is home to the Philistine city of Gath, the home of the ancient warrior Goliath.

http://www.jpost.com/Features/InThespotlight/Article.aspx?id=182962

For the first time in Israel, a document has been uncovered containing a law code that parallels portions of the famous Code of Hammurabi. The code is written on fragments of a cuneiform tablet, dating from the 18th-17th centuries B.C. in the Middle Bronze Age, that were found in Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeological excavations this summer at Hazor, south of Kiryat Shmonah, in northern Israel.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/138788

ABR has had the distinct pleasure of participating in the Hazor excavations in recent years. Small ABR tour groups were sent to excavate in the mid 2000's, ABR Director of Development Henry Smith excavated in Hazor in 2007, and ABR Associate Titus Kennedy has been involved in the Hazor Excavations for several seasons. ABR staff archaeologist Gordon Franz has been at Hazor for several seasons as well.

The pictures in this slideshow are the property of the Associates for Biblical Research. They are free for use in private, non-profit educational forums and for media relations. Any other use is strictly prohibited without express written consent of the Associates for Biblical Research, copyright 2010.

The Search for Joshua's Ai Pictures for Media

Excavations in Upper Egypt's Ehnasia archaeological area in Beni-Sueif recently uncovered the remains of a 3,000 year old temple dating from the reign of ancient Egyptian pharaoh Rameses II.

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/CultureAndMedia/?id=3.1.689161461

Henry Smith and Scott Lanser spoke at the 2010 AIG Apologetics for the Family Conference in Sevierville, Tennessee this week.  The Conference was attended by 2,700 people who were challanged to defend their faith through a series of informative and inspirational presentations by the AIG staff and their special guests.  ABR was asked to participate in this year's conference and to share their expertise in archaeology and its important contribution to the apologetic task.  On Wednesday morning Scott Lanser presented a strong challenge to the critics of the Bible and its history by displaying one archaeological discovery after another that repudiates their erroneous claims.  Henry Smith presented the case for ABR's dig at Khirbet el-Maqatir and discussed ABR's quest to find the biblical city of Ai.  Jericho was also discussed and together presented how these important Conquest cities conquer the critics of the Bible.  In addition to these presentations the ABR staff was interviewed by a local radio station discussing the value of archaeology in a post-modern culture.  The conference has been an incredible success as the authority of God's word has been clearly and powerfully promoted. 

Henry Smith presents the evidence on Jericho and Ai.

Scott Lanser and Henry Smith have some fun at the ABR booth.

Scott Lanser speaks to a full house.

Scott debunks the critics with evidence from archaeology.

Volunteer Suzanne Lattimer shows some children pottery from Khirbet el Maqatir.

Refuting the Critics Handouts (in MS Word)

Great Discoveries OT 2 handout.doc (46.50 kb)

Five Great Discoveries OT handout Revised 8.7.10.doc (27.00 kb)

Great Discoveries OT 1 handout Revised 8.7.10.doc (40.00 kb)

Jericho_handout.doc (407.50 kb)

Great Discoveries NT handout.doc (34.50 kb)

The Garima Gospels are one of the Christian world's oldest and most exquisite treasures. Until recently, scholars had always assumed that the two 10-inch-thick volumes, which are written on goat skin and brightly illustrated, dated back to the early 11th century. But recent carbon-testing may show what the monks believed all along: the books are among the oldest gospels in existence. C-14 dating has put the creation of the two books to somewhere between 330 and 650, making them a close contender to being the most ancient complete Christian texts. The only major collection of scripture that is known to be older is the Codex Sinaiticus, a copy of the Bible hand-written in Greek which dates back to the third century.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/unearthed-the-ancient-texts-that-tell-story-of-christianity-2019188.html

Editorial note: Carbon 14 dating is not as infallible as this article, and most secularists assume. There are always unprovable assumptions built into dating items in the past. However, if the particular assumptions built into the dating of these MSS are correct, there may be warrant for redating these MSS. The historical tradition connected to these MSS seems to corroborate the C-14 test in this instance.

A tiny clay fragment – dating from the 14th century B.C. – that was found in excavations outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls contains the oldest written document ever found in Jerusalem, say researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The find, believed to be part of a tablet from royal archives, further testifies to the importance of Jerusalem as a major city in the Late Bronze Age, long before its conquest by King David.

The clay fragment was uncovered recently during sifting of fill excavated from beneath a 10th century B.C. tower dating from the period of King Solomon in the Ophel area, located between the southern wall of the Old City of Jerusalem and the City of David to its south. Details of the discovery appear in the current issue of the Israel Exploration Journal.

Dr. Eilat Mazar says this new discovery, providing solid evidence of the importance of Jerusalem during the Late Bronze Age (the second half of the second century B.C.), acts as a counterpoint to some who have used the lack of substantial archeological findings from that period until now to argue that Jerusalem was not a major center during that period. It also lends weight to the importance that accrued to the city in later times, leading up to its conquest by King David in the 10th century B.C., she said.

The tiny clay fragment – dating from the 14th century B.C.E. – found by Hebrew University archaeologists in excavations outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls contains the oldest written document ever found in Jerusalem. (Photo: Sasson Tiram)

http://www.huji.ac.il/cgi-bin/dovrut/dovrut_search_eng.pl?mesge127893731332688760