Two Jigsaw Puzzles, Two Purposes
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The Bible and Archaeology: Two Jigsaw Puzzles, Two Purposes
article by
Mario Seiglie
In spite of the relatively small amount of material that has been excavated and analyzed, considerable evidence confirming the biblical account is available.
What can we say about the relationship between the Bible and archaeology? An illustration can help. Let us imagine two jigsaw puzzles. The first is the Bible, put together under the inspiration of God Himself. The pieces fit together perfectly. As God's Word says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16,17, emphasis added).
This first puzzle's primary purpose is to reveal not science and history per se but the record of God's dealings with humankind. Much of this revelation is knowledge that cannot be examined under a microscope or perceived through our senses. It is knowledge revealed by God.
Throughout the Bible, a common theme is God's participation in human history. Whether it be the creation account, His dealings with Israel or the early New Testament Church, God is central.
Much of this information is not the kind that archaeology can discover through the study of ancient remains. Yet God's inspired account of His interaction with living, breathing people is inserted into writings about the physical surroundings of those people. Such information is genuine and true, since God "cannot lie" (Titus 1:2).
Limits of archaeology
The physical evidence can be likened to a second jigsaw puzzle, one based on scientific evidence and that is valuable to our faith by its ability to confirm the veracity of the biblical accounts.
The second jigsaw puzzle concerns how archaeology and related disciplines can reveal physical evidence concerning biblical history. The picture presented is partial; not all archaeological evidence has survived. Conclusions derived from archaeological discoveries are necessarily uncertain. Like a puzzle, pieces can be initially misplaced. As new discoveries are made or better interpretations are offered, the position of some pieces can shift. Many pieces are faded and worn, making placement difficult.
Dating of biblical sites is based primarily on surviving pottery, with its distinctive styles associated with specific historical periods. What remains is an incomplete picture of the past. As archaeologist Paul W. Lapp commented, "Palestinian archaeology may be past infancy but has hardly gotten beyond childhood." Archaeology is a developing and imperfect science.
Some archaeologists estimate that only one thousandth of the original artifacts have survived. Some 5,000 sites are known to scientists in Palestine, and only about 350 have been excavated. Of these, fewer than 2 percent have been extensively excavated. All conclusions, then, are based on small amounts of evidence.
Significant portions of the Bible now corroborated
How should the relative scarcity of evidence affect our Christian beliefs? Our faith should not be based on possession of all the material and historical evidence. Definitive analysis is not a prerequisite for determining whether or not the Bible is historically accurate and true.
In spite of the relatively small amount of material that has been excavated and analyzed, considerable evidence confirming the biblical account is available. More is being uncovered all the time. Significant portions of the Old Testament historical record have now been corroborated by archaeology.
Bryant Wood notes the consensus of archaeologists on the following point: "The purpose of Biblical archaeology is to enhance our comprehension of the Bible, and so its greatest achievement, in my view, has been the extraordinary illumination of the . . . time of the Israelite monarchy" (Biblical Archaeology Review, May-June, 1995, p. 33).
From c. 1000 B.C. through the New Testament period, the archaeological evidence is strong. Before that time, it is sparse. This is quite natural, considering the circumstances. As Wood explains: "Exploring that pre-history [before 1000 B.C.] is challenging: It requires tracing the archaeological record of a pastoral community, rather than an agrarian-based political entity that built cities and made contacts with surrounding nations" (ibid., p. 35).
We will never possess all the physical evidence. Most has been destroyed by time and wear. We cannot reproduce miracles, nor can God's presence be examined and confirmed in a laboratory. Faith will always be based primarily on spiritual discernment and trust in God's Word. GN
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Related Information:
Table of Contents that includes "Two Jigsaw Puzzles, Two Purposes"
Other Articles by Mario Seiglie
Origin of article "Two Jigsaw Puzzles, Two Purposes"
Keywords: archaeology Bible historicity
Bible historicity:
- Archaeology and Genesis: What Does the Record Show? (9/96)
- Archaeology and the Book of Judges
- The Bible: Myth or History
- Can You Believe the Bible? (3/2002)
- A Good News Interview with Bryant Wood, Ph.D.
- Archaeology in Acts, Part 1
- Archaeology in Acts, Part 2: The Message Spreads
- The Battle Over the Bible
- Can You Prove the Bible Is True?
- Confusion Over Noah
- Is Jesus Real?
- God's Challenge to You
- God, Science and the Bible (7/05)
- Parts of the Bible Rejected by Roman Catholic Church in Britain
- God, Science and the Bible (1/06)
- Proofs of the Bible
- The Da Vinci Code, Christianity and the Bible
- Can You Believe Both the Bible and Evolution?
- Is the New Testament a Fraud?
- Can You Believe the Bible?
- Is the Bible Relevant and Reliable?
- God, Science and the Bible (9/07)
- In the News Oct/Dec 2007
- God, Science and the Bible 11/2008
- 10 Questions to Ask About Evolution,Part 2
- Answers from Genesis - Part 7
- Answers from Genesis - Part 8
- Extrabiblical Evidence of Jesus Christ
- Proof Jesus Actually Existed
- God, Science and the Bible - Discoveries at Goliath's hometown support accuracy of the Bible
- Stone Chest From the Time of Christ Authenticated
- Did Adam and Eve Really Exist?
- Prove the Bible Is True - the Easy Way!
- An Ancient Fortress Slowly Yields its Secrets
- Ancient Seal Found in Jerusalem
- Discovered: Artifacts, Possibly from King David's Era
- Discovered: Artifacts Shed Light on Biblical Era
- Ancient Inscription Found at Jerusalem
- Camels Domesticated As Bible Portrays
- Is the Bible True?
- Can We Believe the Gospels?
- Did Jesus Christ Really Exist?
- Do We Have Valid Testimony to the Life of Christ?
- Can We Believe the Bible? (A)
- The Bible
- How Archaeology Confirms the Biblical Record
- The Bible and Archaeology
- Does Archaeology Confirm the Existence of Specific People Mentioned in the Bible?
- Does the Bible Contain Errors?
- The Bible in the Modern World
- Has Evidence of the Prophet Isaiah Been Found?
- Ring Found Bearing Name of Roman Governor Pilate
- Believe the Bible -- and Its Warnings!
- What Does Archaeology Tell Us About the Bible?
- The Location of Sodom
- Recent Holy Land Finds Support the Biblical Record
- What If Sodom Has Been Found?
- Can Jesus' Existence Be Proven From Sources Outside the Bible?
- More Proof of the Bible - Mount Ebal Discoveries
- Archaeology and History Confirm Dozens of Biblical Figures
- Can We Believe the Bible? (B)
- Recent Archaeological Finds Support the Biblical Record
- Proof of God's Word Through the Universe
- More Archaeological Finds Support the Biblical Record
Archaeology:
- Archaeology and the City of David
- King David: Man or Myth?
- Archaeology and Genesis: What Does the Record Show?
- Archaeology and the Book of Exodus: Exit From Egypt (3/97)
- Archaeology and the Book of Exodus: Exit From Egypt
- Archaeology and the Book of Joshua: The Conquest
- King David's Reign: A Nation United
- King Solomon's Reign: Israel's Golden Years
- The Early Kings of Israel: A Kingdom Divided
- The Later Kings of Israel: A Kingdom's Downfall
- The Early Kings of Judah: Miraculous Deliverance
- The Bible and Archaeology - The Kingdom of Judah: Exile and Restoration
- Jesus Christ's Early Ministry
- Jesus Christ's Later Ministry
- The Bible and Archaeology: Jesus Christ's Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion
- The Bible & Archaeology - The Book of Acts: The Church Begins
- Darwinism in the Classroom
- The Bible & Archaeology - The Book of Acts: The Message Spreads
- The Bible & Archaeology - The Book of Acts: Paul's Later Travels
- Archaeology and the Epistles
- The Book of Revelation: History and Prophecy
- An Ancient Inscription Proves King David Was Real
- The Mighty Assyrian Empire Emerges From the Dust
- Jericho: Does the Evidence Disprove or Prove the Bible?
- The Exodus Controversy
- Surprising Archaeological Find: Proof of Jesus' Existence?
- Noah's Flood: Serious Problems With Dating Methods
- Noah's Flood: Did It Really Happen?
- The Bible Was Right After All
- God, Science and the Bible (3/05)
- God, Science and the Bible (9/05)
- God, Science and the Bible (11/05)
- A Place Called Megiddo
- God, Science and the Bible (5/06)
- God, Science and the Bible (1/07)
- In the News Jan/Mar 2007
- In the News Apr/June 2007
- God, Science and the Bible (7/07)
- God, Science and the Bible (1/08)
- God, Science and the Bible (3/08)
- In the News... Jan 1999
- In the News... October 2009
- Has Noah's Ark Been Found Buried Under Ice on Mt. Ararat?
- Archaeology, Biology and Megiddo
- Archaeology - Just Google It!
- Zechariah's Tomb?
- Ossuary Verdict: Experts Testify to its Authenticity
- Jerusalem Reservoir Dates to First Temple Era
- Camel Bones, Abraham, and Archeology
- Newly Discovered Dead Sea Scrolls
- Possible Citadel of Zion Site Found in Jerusalem
- Archaeology and the Book of Exodus--Exit From Egypt - Part 2
- Archaeology and the Book of Exodus--Exit From Egypt
- Archaeology and the Book of Joshua--The Conquest
- The Battle at the Pool of Gibeon
- The Early Kings of Israel - A Kingdom Divided
- The Early Kings of Judah--Miraculous Deliverance
- The First Mention of Israel
- King David's Reign--A Nation United
- King Solomon's Reign--Israel's Golden Years
- The Later Kings of Israel--A Kingdom's Downfall
- The Red Sea or the Reed Sea?
- Bible and Archaeology Part 2
- King David's Existence Verified by Inscription
- A Staggering Archaelogical Discovery: The Mighty Assyrian Empire Emerges From the Dust
- Celts and Scythians Linked by Archaeological Discoveries
- The Geography of Celtic-Scythian Commerce
- God, Science and the Bible - Naboth
- Another Temple Mount Battle
- God, Science and the Bible - Scripture
- God, Science and the Bible: Roman Crucifixion
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