Archaeology and the Bible (part 8) – The Resurrection

Alexander Ivanov - Christ's Appearance to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection

Christ’s Appearance to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection, by Alexander Ivanov, 1835

Of all the historical events described in the Bible, none is more important than the resurrection of Jesus.  It is necessary to the truth of Christianity and as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”  If such an incredible event had occurred, there would surely be a host of historical and archaeological evidence to support it.  Is that what we find? Continue reading

Archaeology and the Bible (Part 7) – The Conquest

Aerial view of the archaeological site at ancient Jericho

Once Israel left Egypt, they began a journey to the land God had promised them.  Unfortunately, due to their disobedience and lack of faith, God prevented them from entering the land for forty years until after the unfaithful generation had passed.  At that time, Joshua led them into the Promised Land, beginning with the conquest of Jericho. Continue reading

Archaeology and the Bible (Part 6) – Moses and the Exodus

Pharaoh’s army engulfed by the Red Sea by Frederick Arthur Bridgman, 1900.

The Timeline

Before we review evidence for Moses and the Exodus, we have to determine when these events should have occurred.  This issue is one of significant debate and is important to determining if the Exodus actually happened.  Most secular historians claim the Exodus, if it occurred, would have been in the mid- to late-13th century BC.  They base this view on the text of Exodus 1:11 which states that the Egyptians used the enslaved Israelites to build the city of Rameses before Moses led them out of bondage.  Since the city of Rameses was built in the 13th century, the Exodus must have happened sometime after that.  Unfortunately, they also claim that there is little, if any, evidence of the Israelites in Egypt at that time and that does seem to be the case. Continue reading