How old is the Bible?
A recent finding by archaeologists shows the Bible to be older than many liberal scholars thought. These scholars base their views on man’s thinking. However, the thinking of imperfect man has been proven wrong time and again. Meanwhile, the Bible – which is the Word of God – is perfect and timeless.
The recent finding – written Hebrew containing some of the Law – is among many that sink myths made popular by people who do not want to accept God’s authority in their lives. The desire to see people as all-important is not a new one. In fact, it is as old as time itself. However, it’s important to understand that we are imperfect. And, imperfect people can never create a perfect theory, system, or anything, without relying totally on God to do it.
One of the main theories this finding debunks is that written Hebrew came later. This is based on peoples’ prejudices. People came up with this theory because they wanted to feel superior. If they could say a people group had writing later than them, it might make them feel better.
However, the claim itself of Hebrew being a more recent language is based on the fact that it hadn’t been found to be any earlier. This is like saying, “Because I can’t see across the ocean, there is nothing there.” First, the lack of evidence for something doesn’t prove that it doesn’t exist. All it shows is there isn’t any evidence right now. Second, you have proof each time you meet someone from across the sea. Someone might say, “They could be lying,” but if they bear evidence – such as souvenirs from faraway countires – you would know they are telling the truth.
The Bible has always had that evidence. Joshua and the Israelites brought the written Penteteuch (the first five books of the Bible) into the Promised Land when they settled it. The written Word of God is referred to numerous times in Scripture by people who wrote centuries before Christ. the law was brought out by Josiah, King of Israel, and read before the people decades before the fall of Jerusalem.
The witness of the writers of Scripture shows that the written Word of God was around for centuries before some people like to say it was. This is because God inspired the people to write it. This means that the Holy Spirit moved the writers to write what God wanted them to write, while still allowing them to keep their own individual personalities and styles.
There will always be people who try to scoff. but, this not only shows Hebrew to have been written earlier than liberal scholars thought, it is among a number of findings lately that have proved the existence of King David. Other famous archaeological digs have shown other evidence of the existence of people and groups who existed in Biblical times.
The Bible is clearly very old. The liberal scholars have been wrong consistently when trying to date it. The same holds true with their idea of New Testament dates. The books of the New Testament were all written within the first decades after Jesus’ death, the last being around 90-95 A.D.. In fact, some scholars believe that one of the Dead Sea Scrollsmay contain a small portion of the Gospel of Mark.
Even if it doesn’t, it’s imprortant to realize that the Bible can be relied upon as the absolute Word of God. It should not be torn apart by textual critics. It should be accepted for what it is – the inspired, inerrant Wordof God which was written by the contemporaries of those alive at the time events took place, be they Old or New Testament. the witness of the Bible is true in every area. Especially in that of needing to trust in Jesus Christ, God in flesh, as the sinless substitute for our sins. he suffered, bled, and died for our sins, and rose from the dead, because mankkind is imperfect; and has been since the beginning, when sin was brought intot he world, and death by sin.
However, thankfully, while man is imperfect, God is perfect, and has given us His Word.
|
I went back to school for Masters in Ministry after years as wills & estates attorney. I'm looking for work as an evangelist or pastor somewhere; e-mail me if you'd like to takl to me about coming to your church. I have numerous visual and other handicaps the Lord has helped me overcome, & have lived on my own for years, with no need for asight aides; I can even read print like this with my nise a few inches away for hours on end. the Lord has been so good to me. I had head knowledge as a youth, really only remember getting heart knowledge - trusting Jesus Christ as my *personal* Saviour - when I was in college. To see all articles by Doug Click Here! |




February 9, 2010
|
Posted by dtf955

Categories:
Tags: 








Recent Comments