ARCHAEOLOGY SHEDS LIGHT - PowerPoint Presentation

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ARCHAEOLOGY SHEDS LIGHT ON SCRIPTURE

[By Ron Halbrook, adapted from Evidences for God and His Creation]

Acts 17:28Slide3

IntroductionActs 17:28 Paul illustrated & verified his point by quoting poets known to Greeks

Epemenides the Cretan & Aratus of Cilicia do not “prove” the Bible true but add light to its truth3

ARCHAEOLOGY SHEDS LIGHT ON SCRIPTURE

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For in him we live, and move, and have our being;

as

certain also of your own poets have said,

For

we are also his offspring

.Slide4

Introduction2. Rom. 10:17 The Bible is true because God gave it, not because of archaeology.4

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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Introduction3. Additional information illustrates, clarifies, & verifies. 1 Kgs. 14:19 Royal chronicles on Jeroboam

Matt. 6:26 “Behold the fowls of the air” 1 Cor. 11:14 “Doth not…nature teach you?”

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Introduction4. Archaeology sheds light on the Bible: Archaeology: study of artifacts & remains of past civilizations6

ARCHAEOLOGY SHEDS LIGHT ON SCRIPTURESlide7

4. Archaeology sheds light on the Bible: Historical setting, customs, etc. illuminates: “Chs.1-38 reflect a great deal of what we know from other sources about ancient Mesopotamian life and culture. Creation, genealogies, destructive floods, geography and mapmaking, construction techniques, migrations of peoples, sale and purchase of land, legal customs and procedures, shepherding and cattle-raising….” (Genesis Introduction, NIV Study Bible, 2002, p. 1)

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Introduction4. Archaeology sheds light on the Bible: Verify Bible history & geography: accuracy of details consistent with Bible claim to be God’s Word No fact of archaeology contradicts Bible record

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Introduction5. Archaeology sheds light on Bible accounts: The Garden of Eden: origin of civilizations The universal flood of Noah’s time Abraham’s journey to Egypt

Moses: author of the Pentateuch Edom, Moab, & the Hittites real people9

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I. The Garden of Eden: Origin of Civilizations A. God Created the Garden of Eden for Adam & Eve Gen. 2:8-17 “A garden eastward in Eden”10

ARCHAEOLOGY SHEDS LIGHT ON SCRIPTURE

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And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.Slide11

Gen. 2:8-17 “A garden eastward in Eden”11 10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden;

and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. 11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; 12 And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. 13 And the name of the second river is

Gihon

:

the

same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. 14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel [Tigris]: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And

the fourth river is

Euphrates

.Slide12

Gen. 2:8-17 “A garden eastward in Eden”12 15 And the LORD God took the man, and

put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou

shalt surely die

.Slide13

I. The Garden of Eden: Origin of Civilizations A. God Created the Garden of Eden for Adam & Eve A real garden for real people, not a fable

Atlantis. Plato: Greek gods inhabited island continent in Atlantic Ocean Utopia.

Sir Thomas

Moore (1516): fictional perfect island society

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I. The Garden of Eden: Origin of Civilizations B. Eden Located in Mesopotamia Gen. 2:8 East of Palestine or Israel

Gen. 2:10-14 Garden origin of four rivers: Pison, Gihon, Hidekel (Tigris), Euphrates

Tigris & Euphrates Rivers define Mesopotamia (land between the rivers): modern Iraq

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Tigris & Euphrates Rivers define Mesopotamia (land between the rivers)15Slide16

I. The Garden of Eden: Origin of Civilizations C. Mesopotamia: Cradle of Civilization Sumer, earliest civilization 3,000 B.C.16

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Archaeology uncovered

m

any Sumerian artifactsSlide18

I. The Garden of Eden: Origin of Civilizations C. Mesopotamia: Cradle of Civilization “Archaeological research has thus established beyond doubt that there is no focus of civilization in the earth that can begin to compete in antiquity and activity with the basin of the Eastern Mediterranean and the region immediately to the east of it—Breasted’s Fertile Crescent”

(W.F. Albright, From the Stone Age to Christianity, p. 6)18

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II. The Universal Flood of Noah’s Time

A. Genesis 6-9 Records the Universal Flood Gen. 7:17-24 Flood waters rose 20 feet (6.9 meters) above the highest mountains

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Gen. 7:17-24 Flood waters rose 20 feet (6.9 meters) above the highest mountains20

17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. 18 And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly

upon

the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.

20 Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail;

and the mountains were covered.Slide21

21 21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.

23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive,

and

they that were with him in the ark.

24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth

an hundred and fifty days.Slide22

II. The Universal Flood of Noah’s Time B. Ancient Civilizations Recorded the Flood Bible account dismissed as myth until other ancient records were discovered Over 500 ancient accounts: China, Babylon, Wales, Russia, India, America, Hawaii,

Sumatra, Scandinavia, Peru, Polynesia, etc. Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic (origin 2,700 B.C.; copy 1200 B.C.), tablet 11 very similar to Bible account 22

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Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic (origin 2,700 B.C.; copy 1200 B.C.), tablet 11 very similar to Bible account 23Slide24

24BAYLONIAN GILGIMISH EPICACCOUNT IN GENESIS 6-9Take the seed of all creatures aboard the ship

6:19 Bring all kinds of animals into the arkI boarded the ship and closed the door

7:1,16 God called Noah into the ark, shut the door

I sent out a dove...[it] came back, no resting-place appeared for it

8:8 He sent out a dove;

it found no resting-place & returned

I sent out a raven…

w

aters receding, it ate, it flew to and fro, it did not return

8:7 He sent out a raven, which

went back & forth until the waters dried up

I made a libation on

the

peak of the mountain.

8:20 Noah offered burnt offerings on the mountain

http://

www.nwcreation.net/noahlegends.htmlSlide25

II. The Universal Flood of Noah’s Time C. The Moral Dimension Ancient stories picture temperamental gods causing the flood (annoyed with human noise) Gen. 6:5 Only the Bible gives one clear cause: God’s judgment against sinful men

25 5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually

.

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II. The Universal Flood of Noah’s Time D. Did Moses Plagiarize Ancient Records? Existence of ancient records proves Moses plagiarized them to write Gen. 6-9? Ancient records prove The Flood part of man’s universal memory: accounts

corrupted Moses inspired of God & unique from others: rational story, God just (not temperamental)26

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III. Abraham’s Journey to Egypt A. Abraham’s Wealth Increased Including Camels Gen. 12:14-20 Pharaoh gave him sheep, oxen, donkeys, & camels until his lie was exposed27

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Gen. 12:14-20 Pharaoh gave him sheep, oxen, donkeys, & camels until his lie was exposed28 14 And it came to pass, that, when

Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses,

and

camels

.Slide29

Gen. 12:14-20 Pharaoh gave him sheep, oxen, donkeys, & camels until his lie was exposed29 17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house

with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. 18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? 19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now

therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.

20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had

.Slide30

III. Abraham’s Journey to Egypt A. Abraham’s Wealth Increased Including Camels Gen. 12:14-20 Pharaoh gave him sheep, oxen, donkeys, & camels until his lie was exposed B. Charge Bible Record Inaccurate: Camels Not Used in Egypt This Early

T. E. Peet, Egypt and the Old Testament (1924):60, R. H. Pfeiffer, Introduction to the Old Testament

(

1941

):15430

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III. Abraham’s Journey to Egypt C. Camels Not as Widely Used as Later But Present “Archaeological evidence showing early knowledge of the camel in Egypt included statuettes & figurines of camels, plaques bearing representations of camels, rock carvings & drawings, camel bones, a camel skull, and a camel hair rope. These objects, some twenty in number, range from the seventh century BC to the period before 3,000 BC” (J.P. Free, “Abraham’s Camels,” Journal of Near Eastern Studies [July, 1944]:187-193)

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IV. Moses: Author of the Pentateuch A. The Bible Says Moses Wrote the Pentateuch Ex. 24:3-8 “Moses wrote all the words”32

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Ex. 24:3-8 “Moses wrote all the words”333 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments:

and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do. 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which

offered burnt offerings,

and

sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.

6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.Slide34

Ex. 24:3-8 “Moses wrote all the words”34 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people:

and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. 8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you

concerning

all these words

.Slide35

IV. Moses: Author of the Pentateuch A. The Bible Says Moses Wrote the Pentateuch Num. 33:2 Moses recorded the exodus & the wilderness wanderings35

ARCHAEOLOGY SHEDS LIGHT ON SCRIPTURE

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And Moses wrote their goings out

according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these are their journeys according to their goings out.Slide36

IV. Moses: Author of the Pentateuch B. Unbelievers Claimed Writing Not Yet Invented in Moses’ Time (1400’s B.C.) Earliest Egyptian hierglyphs 3400-3200 B.C. (Larkin Mitchell, “Earliest Egyptian Glyphs,” Archaeology Magazine, Mar./Apr. 1999)

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Rosetta Stone discovered 1799 written in Greek, early Egyptian hieroglyphics, & current Egyptian: hieroglyphics revealed much about Egypt before Moses’ time 37

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IV. Moses: Author of the Pentateuch B. Unbelievers Claimed Writing Not Yet Invented in Moses’ Time (1400’s B.C.) Earliest Sumerian cuneiform documents date 3100-3000 B.C., before Abraham!38

ARCHAEOLOGY SHEDS LIGHT ON SCRIPTURE

2500’s BCSlide39

IV. Moses: Author of the Pentateuch B. Unbelievers Claimed Writing Not Yet Invented in Moses’ Time (1400’s B.C.) Babylon: Hammurabi Code 1772 B.C.39

ARCHAEOLOGY SHEDS LIGHT ON SCRIPTURE

1792-1750 BC

Clay Tablet

Stone SteleSlide40

V. Edom, Moab, & the Hittites Real People A. Unbelievers Claimed Historical Errors in Bible Inserting Edom & Moab into ancient history before they existed (anachronism) Inventing the Hittites which never existed40

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V. Edom, Moab, & the Hittites Real People B. Edom in Bible & Secular History Gen. 36 Gives history of Edom from Esau, lists kings before Israel had kings

Num. 20:14-21 Edom strong nation at time of Exodus: blocked the King’s Hwy. Border fortress in reign of Pharoah Merneptah (1213-1203 B.C.) reports on

"

shasu

-tribes of Edom"

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Egypt, Edom, Moab, & Israel 830 B.C.42Slide43

V. Edom, Moab, & the Hittites Real People C. Moab in Bible & Secular History Gen. 19:30-38 Moab came from Lot’s son Moab Num. 22:1

Israel camped in plains of Moab to enter Canaan: Moab feared Israel Pharoah Ramesses II (1279-1213 B.C.) listed Moab as conquered on colossal statue at Luxor

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D. The Hittites in Bible & Secular History Gen. 10:15 Ham, Canaan, Heth (Hittites)

Pentateuch; Josh. 1:4 Hittites powerful nation 1800’s scholars mocked Bible references to Hittites; early 1900’s 10,000 clay tablets found44

ARCHAEOLOGY SHEDS LIGHT ON SCRIPTURE

Clay

tablet

Royal

seal

Hittite

sphinx

Vase

sketchSlide45

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HITTITEEMPIRE2000 BC-1200 BCSlide46

Invitation1. Acts 17:28 Paul illustrated & verified his point by quoting poets known to Greeks

2. Rom. 10:17 The Bible is true because God gave it, not because of archaeology3. Additional information illustrates, clarifies,

&

verifies

.

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ARCHAEOLOGY SHEDS LIGHT ON SCRIPTURESlide47

Invitation4. Archaeology sheds light on the Bible: Verify Bible history & geography: accuracy of details consistent with Bible claim to be God’s Word No fact of archaeology contradicts Bible record

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Invitation5. Archaeology sheds light on Bible accounts: The Garden of Eden: origin of civilizations The universal flood of Noah’s time Abraham’s journey to Egypt

Moses: author of the Pentateuch Edom, Moab, & the Hittites real people48

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Invitation5. 1 Pet. 3:21 Submit to Christ: get right with God49

21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

ARCHAEOLOGY SHEDS LIGHT ON SCRIPTURE