Does this evidence of burning from the roof down sound familiar? Wood believes this bizarre occurrence is extremely difficult to explain apart from the scriptural explanation. The cemetery is separate from the town and yet the buildings have been burned from the top down. The town site and the cemetery were covered in ash, and the most likely explanation is that God did rain down destructive fire to punish the wickedness of the people who would not change their evil ways:
The sun rose over the horizon just as Lot was entering Zoar. Then Yahweh rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire of his own sending. He overthrew those cities and the whole plain, with all the people living in the cities and everything that grew there (Genesis 19:23-25).
King David In 1993 at the biblical site, Tel Dan, in the upper Galilee and next to the Golan Heights, Israel there was a stunning discovery, an ancient inscription. A broken part of a black basalt monument had been reused in a later stratum as a building stone. But what made the find spectacular was the inscription, House of David. Written in Aramaic, the language of the Aramean kingdoms of Syria, it depicted an invasion of Israel by an Aramean king whose name is not mentioned on the fragments that have been discovered to date. But there is hardly a question that it tells the story of the assault of Hazael, king of Damascus, on the northern kingdom of Israel around 835 B.C. This war took place in the era when Israel and Judah were separate kingdoms, and the outcome was a bitter defeat for both. The most important part of the inscription is Hazael’s boasting description of his victories over his enemies: ‘[I killed Jeho] ram son of [Ahab] king of Israd, and [I] killed [Ahaz]iahu son of Jehoram king of the House of David. And I set [their towns into ruins and turned] their land into [desolation].’10
Thus we have evidence of the popularity of the dynasty of King David less than a hundred years after his son Solomon’s reign. French scholar, Andre Lemaire suggests that a similar reference to the house of David is depicted on the famous inscription of Mesha, king of Moab from the ninth century B.C, found in the nineteenth century east of the Dead Sea.11
This clearly proves the existence of Sacred Scripture’s character, David who became the first king of the dynasty of Judahite kings in Jerusalem.
Professor Avraham, director of the Nelson Glueck School of Biblical Archaeology of the Hebrew Union College was the archaeologist who made this amazing discovery, the crowning moment of his career. This one inscription also confirmed the existence of scriptural figures, Jehoram, Ahab and Ahaz (also see 2 Kings 9:14-26). He uncovered a wall which he estimated to be between the ninth century and the beginning of the eighth century B.C. Inside he discovered a fragment inscribed in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus.12 The fragment records battles between the Israelites and the Arameans. It also depicts that Ben Hadad, king of Damascus (Aram) defeated a king of Israel and also a ‘king of the House of David’. 13 This confirms 2 Kings 8:7-15.
So there we have it, evidence of the House of David in an inscription believed to be about 150 years after King David. The following year they discovered more evidence from fragments. From these studies it is believed that the king of Israel is Jehoram and the king of the House of David (Judah) is Ahaziah, both are characters in Sacred Scripture.
Archaeologist Yigael Yadin in The Art of Warfare relates how armed with intricate scriptural details he and his team were able to scare the hell out of their labourers by uncovering the Megiddo gate which had been built by King Solomon. After estimating the layout of the gate from the Megiddo gate intricately detailed in Sacred Scripture, he instructed his labourers to carefully remove the debris. Upon completion they stared at him in amazement. They had uncovered a replica of the Megiddo gate which proved both gates had followed the same master plan.
Crucifixion Confirmed Archaeology also confirms the details of crucifixion, the barbaric torture and the means of capital punishment used by the Romans mentioned in Sacred Scripture; the discovery of an ancient gravesite in Jerusalem in 1968 uncovered thirty five bodies. Historians believe their death was the result of their involvement in the Jewish revolt against Rome in AD 70. The inscription depicted a person named Yohan Ben Ha’galgol. Studies of the bones by osteologists and doctors from the Hadassah Medical School revealed the man was 28 years old when he died. The archaeologists were fascinated that he had been crucified in a way unlike that of Christ’s crucifixion:
A seven-inch nail had been driven through both feet, which were turned outward so the nail could be hammered inside the Archilles Tendon. Archaeologists also discovered that nails had been driven through his lower forearms. A victim of a crucifixion would have to raise and lower his body in order to breathe. To do this, he needed to push up on his pierced feet and pull up with his arms. Yohan’s upper arms were smoothly worn, indicating this movement.14
The disciple John records that in order to expedite the death of a prisoner, executioners broke the legs of the victim so that he could prisoner, executioners broke the legs of the victim so that he could 34). Yohan’s legs were found crushed by a blow, broken below the knee. This is not unlike another crucifixion which is depicted in Sacred Scripture:
It was the Day of Preparation, and to avoid the bodies’ remaining on the cross during the Sabbath – since that Sabbath was a day of special solemnity – the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away. Consequently the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with him and then of the other. When they came to Jesus, they saw he was already dead, and so instead of breaking his legs one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water (John 19:31-34).
New Testament Evidence Remarkable evidence has been uncovered which most likely proves the existence of the disciple and apostle, St Peter. In Son of God, Reverend Angela Tilby describes Capernaum, the fishing town, a small cluster of homes situated next to the lake. She also explains that there is one house which is believed to be that of Peter the disciple and close friend of Jesus. Egeria, a pilgrim reported in the late fourth century that the prince of the apostles’ house had been converted into a church. The area was excavated a century ago and indeed the remains of a fifth-century church were discovered.15
Sacred Scripture portrays St Peter as a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to follow Him. Archaeologists discovered such an early church together with a number of small houses in which one of them were the remains of fishing equipment. Only this house was plastered. The link with St Peter becomes stronger with the fact that they also discovered plaster fragments in the house with inscriptions such as ‘Lord Jesus Christ help your servant’and ‘Christ have mercy.’16 Therefore it is likely that this house held such importance that a church was built over it because St Peter was so esteemed.
How Remarkable! They were able to recover what is highly likely to be the disciple, St Peter’s house; the early Christians often preserved their sacred sites by building a church upon them.
We also have archaeological evidence that there really was a Jewish High Priest named Caiaphas. Sacred Scripture attributes to him the prophecy that Jesus would die for the nation (John 11:49-52), and then together with the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin he judges Jesus before handing Him over to Pilate. (Matthew 26:59-60; 63-66):
One of them, Caiaphas, the high priest that year, said, ‘You do not seem to have grasped the situation at all; you fail to see that it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people, rather than that the whole nation should perish.’ He did not speak in his own person, but as high priest of that year he was prophesying that Jesus was to die for the nation
– and not for the nation only, but also to gather together into one the scattered children of God (John 11:49-52).
Price describes the discovery of Caiaphas’ remains in Jerusalem’s Peace Forest in November, 1990:17 The discovery was made when the roof of the burial chamber collapsed and revealed 12 limestone ossuaries. One of the ossuaries was exquisitely ornate and decorated with i
ncised rosettes. Obviously it had belonged to a wealthy or high-ranking patron who could afford such a box. On this box was an inscription. It read in two places Qafa and Yehosef bar Qayafa (‘Caiaphas’, ‘Joseph, son of Caiaphas’).18
Summary In this chapter we briefly explored the thrilling science of archaeology in which the sands of time have uncovered evidence which confirms many places, characters, buildings, and events which were painstakingly depicted in Sacred Scripture. We have explored proof of the existence of such historical people as the Israelite kings: Omri, Ahab, Jehu, Hezekiah and culminating with King David. Discoveries have confirmed the existence of the Assyrian kings Shalmaneser III, Sargon and Sennacherib and the Egyptian Pharaoh, Merneptah. It was also enthralling to cover what was highly likely to be the remains of the city of Sodom, evidence of crucifixion, places and characters such as Capernaum, Caiaphas, St Peter and his house transformed into a church.
Archaeologist and Rabbi, Nelson Glueck, reveals the valuable relationship between archaeology and Sacred Scripture: As a matter of fact, however, it may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or in exact detail historical statements in the Bible. And by the same token, proper evaluation of biblical descriptions has often led to amazing discoveries. 19
Therefore we have been able to prove that those who say Sacred Scripture is a complete fabrication are speaking in ignorance. Though not all the places and characters of Sacred Scripture have been proved, it is like a huge jigsaw and so the sands of time through the science of archaeology have been able to bring forth the confirmation that some of the people and events of Sacred Scripture were in fact historical.
Now let us move onto the next section of God: Fact or Fiction? as we progress from science to religion. In this section you will be able to see that God has been revealed to us through divine revelation. As you read on I hope you do so with an open mind. Well, you’ve made it this far, haven’t you? So, enjoy!
Notes 1. Randall Price. The Stones Cry Out (Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1997), pp. 46-47.
2. Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman. The Bible Unearthed (New York: Free Press, 2001), p. 18.
3. Price, The Stones Cry Out, p. 79.
4. See ibid.
5. Finkelstein and Silberman. The Bible Unearthed, p. 57.
6. When Skeptics Ask, p. 199.
7. Translation by Leo A. Oppenheim in Ancient Near East Texts, ed. by James B. Pritchard (Princeton: The Princeton Press, 1950) p. 288.
8. Finkelstein and Silberman, The Bible Unearthed, p. 129.
9. Ibid.
10. Interview Randall Price and Avraham, October 17, 1996.
11. See ibid.
12. Ibid.
13. See Yigael Yadin. The Art of Warfare in Biblical Lands, p. 288.
14. Patrick Zukeran, Archaeology and the New Testament, see www.probe.org, accessed 4/05/10.
15. See Angela Tilby. Son of God (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2001), pp. 67-68.
16. See ibid.
17. Price, The Stones Cry Out, p. 303.
18. See Zvi Greenhut. “Caiaphas’ Final Resting Place,” Israel Hilton Magazine (Spring 1993), p. 16.
19. Nelson Glueck. Rivers in the Desert: A History of the Negev (New York: Farrar, Straus and Cudahy, 1959), p. 31.
SECTION II: RELIGION
CHAPTER 11 TRUTH: OBJECTIVE OR SUBJECTIVE? Perception of Truth
Do we really believe the notion, ‘Since you perceive it to be true then it is always true?’ One example of perception of truth can be answered with a simple test. You could take a ladder, climb it and say to yourself, ‘If I step off this ladder, I will not fall, since I don’t believe in gravity. After all I can’t see or touch what is beyond my senses.’ Well my friend, welcome to reality – welcome to the human race. Most of us know what will happen when we step off the ladder. Note that this is an example, so please don’t do it or sue me! I don’t want to become a pauper or vagabond.
Moral Truth Issues of morality are however much more complex than simple matters of fact. This is due to their intangibility (you can’t touch them). These moral truths we deem to be either good or evil. We can deny the existence of this type of truth in theory, however most rational people would accept that certain types of moral truths are fundamentally good or evil, for example giving to the poor is classed as good while murder, rape, child abuse, slavery and torture on the other hand would is viewed as evil. Therefore moral truth is universal as it transcends cultures.
Can all moral truths change over time? Let us take the example of moral truths that have been seen as wrong for thousands of years, but yet today are considered to be morally neutral and in some cases even morally good by most people. Many things in today’s world were deplored by our parents’ and grandparents’ generation, e.g. sex outside of the covenant of marriage, abortion, practicing (active) homosexuality, prostitution (prostitutes are now called sex workers and sadly now a legal profession here in New Zealand), and contraception. The first Church to relax its moral stance regarding contraception was the Anglican Church in 1930. It said that the ‘primary and obvious method is complete abstinence from intercourse (as far as may be necessary) in a life of discipline and self-control lived in the power of the Holy Spirit’. But then the Conference weakened its moral stance:
In those cases where there is such a clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, and where there is a morally sound reason for avoiding complete abstinence, the Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of the same Christian principles. The Conference records its strong condemnation of the use of any methods of conception control from motives of selfishness, luxury, or mere convenience.1
Perceptions of moral truths have changed such as sex outside of the sacrament of marriage and euthanasia (the active killing of someone using a deadly means such as a lethal injection). These truths and those mentioned before have been deplored because as a moral truth they have been shown to be against our very human nature. But now in the 21st century many people accept them as OK. For example, abortion has historically been seen as abhorrently evil, and yet only in the last 50 years has it become morally neutral and even deemed to be a basic human right for women and children. The International Planned Parenthood Federation, in 2002 distributed a brochure claiming that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child’s right to life and health can be interpreted to mean that children should have access to abortion.
Therefore some people are content with what they consider to be truth but in fact they are left with only part of the truth; they no longer ask radical questions about the meaning and ultimate bedrock of our human, personal and social existence. Even some eastern perceptions deny truth is objective as they assume truth reveals itself equally through different doctrines, even if they contradict one another. In the encyclical Fides et Ratio, Faith and Reason (n.5) Pope John Paul II says that this reduces everything to opinion and leaves a sense of being adrift.
Alternatively it could be argued that these horrible things that our grandparents were against but are now deemed OK, were their fault
– that is, our grandparents’ generation was wrong. But when you really research these subjects it is the moral principle underlying them that is critical. For example, concerning abortion it is the taking of a human life; the unborn baby is actually deprived of the chance to live. For me, seeing a graphic video of what happens in an abortion, The Silent Scream, first opened my eyes to this truth.
Moreover if we take the example of the gang rape punishment meted out to a woman in Afghanistan in 2002, most people would know this gross violation of the woman was wrong – even if any court said it was OK. This is what we call a moral truth. So truth does not change, but people’s perception of it does.
This also relates to faith, about what we believe in. Often we believe a rumour ab
out another denomination or faith. Unless we study that faith we should not entertain or believe in those rumours. For instance you have most probably heard the rumour, Muslims accept terrorism – i.e. blowing themselves up and taking infidels with them. The terrorists believed (their perception) that the infidel would go to hell, and they would go to heaven. But the Muslim Faith does not teach this, only a small proportion of radicals do – they are the militant fundamentalists.
Another rumour you may have heard is that Catholics worship Mary, the mother of God. But when you discuss this with a Catholic who knows what he or she is talking about, or read the Catholic Catechism then you will discover that Catholics honour Mary, but do not worship her – they do not treat her as more important than God. She is the mother of Jesus and Jesus is God; Mary is not the mother of God the Father. This concept relating to Mary and other teachings of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches have been discussed in more depth in my first two books: Set Free! and Born to be Free.
Our lives are saturated with moral demands. Our consciences tell us that we ought to do something and also warn us not to do something. Sometimes our powerful impulses win the day. We may feel sick when we are betrayed by a close friend or lose someone close to us. Maybe our conscience warned us to bite our tongue during the heat of the moment, but we lashed out and hurt our friendship or destroyed someone’s confidence. Our conscience is integral to morality and human relationships as well as our relationship with God and ourselves too.
It is clear that there is a moral law that governs us. It is intricately linked to our conscience – hopefully a well formed conscience. The moral laws are natural laws built on nature, they are universal.
God: Fact or Fiction?: Exploring the Relationship Between Science Religion and the Origin of Life Page 14
