<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>apologetics Archives - Stories of Our Boys</title>
	<atom:link href="https://storiesofourboys.com/tag/apologetics/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link></link>
	<description>faith, family, and travel</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2025 23:20:13 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>
	hourly	</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>
	1	</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3</generator>

<image>
	<url>https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/cropped-Copy-of-Add-a-heading-2.png?fit=32%2C32&#038;quality=80&#038;ssl=1</url>
	<title>apologetics Archives - Stories of Our Boys</title>
	<link></link>
	<width>32</width>
	<height>32</height>
</image> 
<site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">78942211</site>	<item>
		<title>Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past</title>
		<link>https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past</link>
					<comments>https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[aprilmomoffour]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2024 20:03:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archaeology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible Archaeology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible verses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[apologetics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[archaeology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible archaeology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[books]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Israel]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://storiesofourboys.com/?p=16905</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I think it is a healthy thing to go digging for physical evidence of the reason for your faith. Faith is a beautiful thing, but it should not be blind. Our faith should be built on evidence. For me, the very first evidence of a holy God was creation and sensing his presence. As a small, four-year-old child, I had never been to church. Yet, there was something about the name and mention of God that always rang true for [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/">Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past</a> appeared first on <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com">Stories of Our Boys</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="17045" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/5-best-biblical-archaeology-books/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5-best-biblical-archaeology-books.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;books on biblical archaeology discoveries&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1716317815&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;5 best biblical archaeology books&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="5 best biblical archaeology books" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;books on biblical archaeology discoveries&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5-best-biblical-archaeology-books.jpeg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5-best-biblical-archaeology-books.jpeg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5-best-biblical-archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="5 Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past" class="wp-image-17045" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5-best-biblical-archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5-best-biblical-archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5-best-biblical-archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5-best-biblical-archaeology-books.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">I think it is a healthy thing to go digging for physical evidence of the reason for your faith.</h2>



<p>Faith is a beautiful thing, but it should not be blind. Our faith should be built on evidence. For me, the very first evidence of a holy God was creation and sensing his presence. </p>



<p>As a small, four-year-old child, I had never been to church. Yet, there was something about the name and mention of God that always rang true for me. I immediately knew to look up at the sky when my neighbors said His name. Belief was instinctual for me. (You can read more about <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/my-story-of-faith/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my story of faith here.</a>)</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="821" height="1231" data-attachment-id="17046" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/i-knew-instinctively-that-god-is-real/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/I-knew-instinctively-that-God-is-real.png?fit=1000%2C1500&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="I-knew-instinctively-that-God-is-real" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/I-knew-instinctively-that-God-is-real.png?fit=609%2C913&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/I-knew-instinctively-that-God-is-real.png?fit=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/I-knew-instinctively-that-God-is-real.png?resize=821%2C1231&#038;quality=80&#038;ssl=1" alt="I knew instinctively that God is real." class="wp-image-17046" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/I-knew-instinctively-that-God-is-real.png?resize=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 821w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/I-knew-instinctively-that-God-is-real.png?resize=609%2C913&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 609w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/I-knew-instinctively-that-God-is-real.png?resize=768%2C1152&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/I-knew-instinctively-that-God-is-real.png?w=1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px" /></figure></div>


<p>I feel like it was a privilege to discover faith in God basically on my own. Many people struggle thinking, &#8220;Do I only believe this because it&#8217;s how I was raised?&#8221;</p>



<p>I don&#8217;t think how you are raised is the only reason why you believe whatever you believe. There&#8217;s so much more to it than most people realize.</p>



<p>From the time I was eleven years old and up, I took to reading the Bible for myself to learn what God&#8217;s word says. I needed to examine it for myself.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="821" height="1231" data-attachment-id="17048" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/best-bible-archaeology-books-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/best-bible-archaeology-books.png?fit=1000%2C1500&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="best bible archaeology books" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Best Bible Archaeology books&lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/best-bible-archaeology-books.png?fit=609%2C913&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/best-bible-archaeology-books.png?fit=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/best-bible-archaeology-books.png?resize=821%2C1231&#038;quality=80&#038;ssl=1" alt="best bible Archaeology books" class="wp-image-17048" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/best-bible-archaeology-books.png?resize=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 821w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/best-bible-archaeology-books.png?resize=609%2C913&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 609w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/best-bible-archaeology-books.png?resize=768%2C1152&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/best-bible-archaeology-books.png?w=1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px" /></figure></div>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="620" data-attachment-id="16012" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/best-bible-archaeology-books/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?fit=1280%2C922&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,922" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1683562584&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;best Bible Archaeology books&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="best Bible Archaeology books" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Favorite 5 Bible Archaeology books&lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?fit=859%2C618&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?fit=860%2C620&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=860%2C620&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="best  Bible archaeology books" class="wp-image-16012" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=1252%2C902&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=1000%2C720&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=768%2C553&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A few good Bible Archaeology books are shown here, but I&#8217;m going to tell you my favorite five below.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Then somewhere in adulthood, I wanted to know even more about the past of the Bible.</h2>



<p>What evidence is there to go along with these stories? Are there other historical accounts that agree with the Bible? What else do we know? Are there artifacts?</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Oh boy, are there ever artifacts! </h4>



<p>The more I read about it and see it for myself, the more I enjoy Biblical Archaeology. It pains me so much that there is a war going on in Israel. I worry about Israel remaining a country, and I am concerned for all of the preserved places. War always destroys historical keepsakes, if you will. Plus, I hate that we are all too scared to go tour Israel now.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2020/05/18/the-silver-scrolls-even-older-than-the-dead-sea-scrolls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="17026" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/silver-scrolls-book/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/silver-scrolls-book.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251736&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;silver scrolls book&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="silver scrolls book" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/silver-scrolls-book.jpeg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/silver-scrolls-book.jpeg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/silver-scrolls-book.jpeg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="the Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible" class="wp-image-17026" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/silver-scrolls-book.jpeg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/silver-scrolls-book.jpeg?resize=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/silver-scrolls-book.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/silver-scrolls-book.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">photo of a couple of pages of The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the bible: I referenced this section in my article on the Silver Scrolls</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">One of the easiest ways to read about archaeological evidence for the Bible is to order a few books on the topic.</h3>



<p>Not all Bible history books are created equal, obviously. There are some I&#8217;ve learned much from but didn&#8217;t enjoy, and I gave those to Goodwill.</p>



<p>Today I&#8217;m going to share only five of my favorites with you.</p>



<p>These five are both informative and interesting. Each of these books has earned its spot on my bookshelves, and I guarantee you could learn a lot from them too. I cannot keep too many books in our home because we move so much, and books are heavy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Let&#8217;s start with my number one pick.</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="1147" data-attachment-id="17027" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/handbook-of-archaeology-and-the-bible/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/handbook-of-archaeology-and-the-bible.jpeg?fit=960%2C1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="960,1280" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251685&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;handbook of archaeology and the bible&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="handbook of archaeology and the bible" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/handbook-of-archaeology-and-the-bible.jpeg?fit=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/handbook-of-archaeology-and-the-bible.jpeg?fit=860%2C1147&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/handbook-of-archaeology-and-the-bible.jpeg?resize=860%2C1147&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible by Holden and Geisler" class="wp-image-17027" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/handbook-of-archaeology-and-the-bible.jpeg?resize=923%2C1231&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 923w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/handbook-of-archaeology-and-the-bible.jpeg?resize=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 685w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/handbook-of-archaeology-and-the-bible.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/handbook-of-archaeology-and-the-bible.jpeg?w=960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">the ultimate resource on this topic</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1. <em>The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible</em> by Joseph M. Holden and Norman Geisler</h2>



<p>This book is the ultimate resource for learning about how the Bible was translated, preserved, documented, and evidenced. It is an exhaustive source for going into details on archaeological discoveries relating to the Bible.</p>



<p>I confess I have not read the entire book yet. It is so in depth and lengthy, and my attention span is like a butterfly. Instead, I use this one to look up any antiquity or event I&#8217;d like to learn more about. To me, it never seems like there&#8217;s enough information available on the topic of Biblical history online.</p>



<p><em>The Popular Handbook</em> was published in 2013, over ten years ago. Therefore, it is missing all of the things discovered in that time gap, and you would not believe how many discoveries have been made just since 2013. For more recent discoveries, check out books number two and three on this list.</p>



<p>If you would like a book that will answer many of your questions about the Bible and what artifacts have been found, this is the one for you.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="17030" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/archaeological-evidence-for-bible/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/archaeological-evidence-for-Bible.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251727&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;archaeological evidence for Bible&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="archaeological evidence for Bible" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/archaeological-evidence-for-Bible.jpeg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/archaeological-evidence-for-Bible.jpeg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/archaeological-evidence-for-Bible.jpeg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past" class="wp-image-17030" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/archaeological-evidence-for-Bible.jpeg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/archaeological-evidence-for-Bible.jpeg?resize=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/archaeological-evidence-for-Bible.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/archaeological-evidence-for-Bible.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Here are a few topics covered well in this book:</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Reliability of Old Testament manuscripts</li>



<li>The Dead Sea Scrolls</li>



<li>How the New Testament came to be</li>



<li>Reliability of the New Testament</li>



<li>Archaeological Evidence of Old Testament Events such as the Flood, the Exodus from Egypt, and King David</li>



<li>Old Testament People who were confirmed by archaeology, in graphs</li>



<li>Non-Christian accounts of Jesus</li>



<li>Archaeological evidence for Jesus</li>



<li>The Temple Mount</li>



<li>Finds relating to the New Testament</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="1147" data-attachment-id="17031" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/jesus-archaeology-sources/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-archaeology-sources.jpeg?fit=960%2C1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="960,1280" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251771&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Jesus archaeology sources&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Jesus archaeology sources" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-archaeology-sources.jpeg?fit=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-archaeology-sources.jpeg?fit=860%2C1147&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-archaeology-sources.jpeg?resize=860%2C1147&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Jesus and archaeological sources" class="wp-image-17031" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-archaeology-sources.jpeg?resize=923%2C1231&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 923w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-archaeology-sources.jpeg?resize=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 685w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-archaeology-sources.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-archaeology-sources.jpeg?w=960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">inscription mentions &#8220;the God Jesus Christ&#8221;, ancient church floor mosaic</figcaption></figure>



<p>This is such an excellent resource to have on hand. If you teach any kind of Bible class or have any interest in learning more about the ancient past or how the Bible was written, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. You can buy it <a href="https://amzn.to/3ykr4np" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here from Amazon,</a> or any book store with a solid religion section. When you purchase through affiliate links on my website, I do collect advertising fees from Amazon.</p>



<p>I am not a Walmart affiliate, but I believe you may be able to get it cheaper at <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pre-Owned-The-Popular-Handbook-of-Archaeology-and-the-Bible-Discoveries-That-Confirm-the-Reliability-of-Scripture-Paperback/3406578226?wmlspartner=wlpa&amp;selectedSellerId=101094067&amp;adid=222222222273406578226_101094067_148689117835_19950570663&amp;wl0=&amp;wl1=g&amp;wl2=c&amp;wl3=654444951729&amp;wl4=aud-2225087348627:pla-2072905014157&amp;wl5=9051985&amp;wl6=&amp;wl7=&amp;wl8=&amp;wl9=pla&amp;wl10=521532765&amp;wl11=online&amp;wl12=3406578226_101094067&amp;veh=sem&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw6auyBhDzARIsALIo6v-T0pllWiGHzBT_Vtbo7chype2uKYwCHK1aIlUkzeZlAgZTH5_hBZIaAs33EALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walmart.</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="1147" data-attachment-id="17028" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/where-god-came-down-book/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Where-God-Came-Down-book.jpeg?fit=960%2C1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="960,1280" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251876&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;320&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Where God Came Down book&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Where God Came Down book" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Where-God-Came-Down-book.jpeg?fit=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Where-God-Came-Down-book.jpeg?fit=860%2C1147&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Where-God-Came-Down-book.jpeg?resize=860%2C1147&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Where God Came Down by Joel Kramer" class="wp-image-17028" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Where-God-Came-Down-book.jpeg?resize=923%2C1231&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 923w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Where-God-Came-Down-book.jpeg?resize=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 685w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Where-God-Came-Down-book.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Where-God-Came-Down-book.jpeg?w=960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2. <em>Where God Came Down</em> by Joel Kramer</h2>



<p>This book is newer, published in 2020, and I cannot say enough positive things about my experience reading this book. </p>



<p>First of all, Kramer is an archaeologist as well as a Christian preacher. He spent many years living and working in Israel.</p>



<p>Furthermore, Kramer routinely takes people on tours of the Holy Land. Those tours are probably on pause during the current war with Hamas. Don&#8217;t despair that you cannot take a trip to Israel though. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ExpeditionBible" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kramer has a YouTube channel </a>where he uploads his tours of many historical places in Israel. There are enough videos on there to keep you busy for a while!</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Here&#8217;s a sample of his YouTube channel/videos:</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Sodom burned—Zoar did NOT:  The full story of the discovery of the Cities of the Plain!" width="860" height="484" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QjPcSQUY2W0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What makes this book so great:</h3>



<p>-easy to read, conversational tone</p>



<p>-engaging, full color photos to go with each archaeological site discussed</p>



<p>-in depth look at important discoveries</p>



<p>Joel Kramer takes ten places, five from the Old Testament and five from the New Testament, and goes into deep details to what is relevant about each place.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="17029" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/color-photos-in-where-god-came-down/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/color-photos-in-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251896&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;color photos in Where God Came Down&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="color photos in Where God Came Down" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/color-photos-in-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/color-photos-in-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/color-photos-in-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past" class="wp-image-17029" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/color-photos-in-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/color-photos-in-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?resize=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/color-photos-in-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/color-photos-in-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Love the photos in this book!</figcaption></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">A few topics covered in <em>Where God Came Down</em>:</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Abraham</li>



<li>the Mountain of God</li>



<li>Jacob&#8217;s altar</li>



<li>Abraham&#8217;s burial site</li>



<li>David&#8217;s palace</li>



<li>Nazareth</li>



<li>the nativity</li>



<li>where Jesus was crucified and buried</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="1147" data-attachment-id="17032" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/inside-where-god-came-down/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inside-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?fit=960%2C1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="960,1280" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251983&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;inside Where God Came Down&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="inside Where God Came Down" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inside-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?fit=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inside-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?fit=860%2C1147&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inside-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?resize=860%2C1147&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Where God Came Down book" class="wp-image-17032" style="width:911px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inside-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?resize=923%2C1231&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 923w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inside-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?resize=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 685w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inside-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/inside-Where-God-Came-Down.jpeg?w=960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">page 94, Where God Came Down</figcaption></figure>



<p>Kramer focuses on the evidence and the story in each famous individual place and walks you through exactly how this site was preserved over time. He explains why each discovery and fact about the place and the people is significant.</p>



<p>If you are looking for a book where you can read in depth about Christianity&#8217;s most famous heroes and places and how we know they are true, this is the book for you.</p>



<p>You can find this book on <a href="https://amzn.to/3VatkH3">Amazon</a>. I was dismayed to find that Barnes and Noble does not sell it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="1147" data-attachment-id="17033" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/biblical-archaeology-review/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Biblical-Archaeology-Review.jpeg?fit=960%2C1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="960,1280" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712252051&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;160&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Biblical Archaeology Review&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Biblical Archaeology Review" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Biblical-Archaeology-Review.jpeg?fit=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Biblical-Archaeology-Review.jpeg?fit=860%2C1147&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Biblical-Archaeology-Review.jpeg?resize=860%2C1147&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past" class="wp-image-17033" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Biblical-Archaeology-Review.jpeg?resize=923%2C1231&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 923w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Biblical-Archaeology-Review.jpeg?resize=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 685w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Biblical-Archaeology-Review.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Biblical-Archaeology-Review.jpeg?w=960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Not technically a book, but this magazine is a useful way to stay up to date.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3. <em>Biblical Archaeology Review </em>magazine</h2>



<p>You can get this magazine in the mail or online. Even if you don&#8217;t subscribe to the magazine, many of their articles are free <a href="https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/">on their website</a>.</p>



<p>I have been reading this magazine for years. My favorite article they ever ran was on why the dates for Christmas were chosen. As it turns out, those are not random dates or pagan holidays. You can<a href="https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/how-december-25-became-christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> find the article here.</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="17034" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/shifting-borders-article-bar/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shifting-Borders-article-BAR.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712252137&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Shifting Borders article BAR&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Shifting Borders article BAR" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shifting-Borders-article-BAR.jpeg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shifting-Borders-article-BAR.jpeg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shifting-Borders-article-BAR.jpeg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Biblical Archaeology Review magazine" class="wp-image-17034" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shifting-Borders-article-BAR.jpeg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shifting-Borders-article-BAR.jpeg?resize=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shifting-Borders-article-BAR.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shifting-Borders-article-BAR.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></figure>



<p>The tone of this magazine is academic. Some of these articles will be immediately interesting to me, and some will not. However, it is a good way to stay up to date on recent findings. You can also learn about many opportunities to visit dig sites and listen to lectures on the topic of Biblical archaeology.</p>



<p>The magazine always runs articles on interesting artifacts and discoveries. It is a welcome surprise in my mailbox when it arrives.</p>



<p>Specific topics vary with each issue of the magazine. You can <a href="https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/magazine-issue/biblical-archaeology-review-summer-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visit their website to learn more.</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="1147" data-attachment-id="17035" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/tried-by-fire-book/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tried-by-fire-book.jpeg?fit=960%2C1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="960,1280" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251779&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;tried by fire book&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="tried by fire book" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tried-by-fire-book.jpeg?fit=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tried-by-fire-book.jpeg?fit=860%2C1147&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tried-by-fire-book.jpeg?resize=860%2C1147&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past" class="wp-image-17035" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tried-by-fire-book.jpeg?resize=923%2C1231&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 923w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tried-by-fire-book.jpeg?resize=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 685w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tried-by-fire-book.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tried-by-fire-book.jpeg?w=960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4.<em> Tried by Fire</em> by William J. Bennett</h2>



<p>This book was fascinating. It feels extremely rare to have the opportunity to learn about church history of those first one thousand years of Christianity.</p>



<p>I wrote <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2018/07/12/10-facts-you-never-knew-about-the-early-church/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a whole article about things I learned from this book</a> a few years ago. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="17037" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/christian-persecution/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/christian-persecution.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251852&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;80&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;christian persecution&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="christian persecution" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/christian-persecution.jpeg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/christian-persecution.jpeg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/christian-persecution.jpeg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Tried by Fire book" class="wp-image-17037" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/christian-persecution.jpeg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/christian-persecution.jpeg?resize=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/christian-persecution.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/christian-persecution.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">history of Christian persecution</figcaption></figure>



<p>This book is thoroughly entertaining because so much of it I had never heard before at all.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Here are a few topics included in <em>Tried by Fire</em>:</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Persecution of the disciples</li>



<li>before the church was under the authority of Rome</li>



<li>Influence of early Christian women</li>



<li>the Codex</li>



<li>Egypt and the Great Persecution</li>



<li>Constantine</li>



<li>Council of Nicaea</li>



<li>Monasticism</li>



<li>Pope Leo I</li>



<li>spread of Christianity </li>



<li>East/West schism of the church</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="17038" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/early-christian-women/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/early-christian-women.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251862&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;early christian women&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="early christian women" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/early-christian-women.jpeg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/early-christian-women.jpeg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/early-christian-women.jpeg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past" class="wp-image-17038" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/early-christian-women.jpeg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/early-christian-women.jpeg?resize=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/early-christian-women.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/early-christian-women.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></figure>



<p>I highlighted and underlines so many pages of <em>Tried by Fire</em>.</p>



<p>There are so many stories in here that were completely new to me about early church customs and people. It filled so many gaps in my historical knowledge. In fact, I feel like I need to go back and read it again because it&#8217;s been a few years since I read it the first time.</p>



<p>You can find <em>Tried by Fire</em> on <a href="https://amzn.to/3V7pTkk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tried-by-fire-william-j-bennett/1122252462" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barnes &amp; Noble</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="17039" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/israel-then-and-now/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-Then-and-Now.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;illustration of Israel then and now&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251500&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Israel Then and Now&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Israel Then and Now" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;beautifully illustrated book of how Israel looked then and now&lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;illustration of Israel then and now&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-Then-and-Now.jpeg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-Then-and-Now.jpeg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-Then-and-Now.jpeg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Israel Then &amp; Now" class="wp-image-17039" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-Then-and-Now.jpeg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-Then-and-Now.jpeg?resize=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-Then-and-Now.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-Then-and-Now.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">illustration of Israel then and now</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5. <em>Israel Then &amp; Now</em> by Thomas and M. Cartier</h2>



<p>Paintings by S. Rotem, Photographs by z. Radovan, S. Rotem, and Y. Hirshfeld</p>



<p>If you would like a chance to see Israel, how it looks now, as well as how it looked in the past, this is the book for you.</p>



<p><em>Israel Then &amp; Now</em> is full of present day photos, with an overlay drawing of how each place looked in ancient times. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">This is one example of how the book shows you each place and takes you back in time to that same place:</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="17040" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/israel-then-and-now-overlay/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-then-and-now-overlay.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251648&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;160&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Israel then and now overlay&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Israel then and now overlay" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-then-and-now-overlay.jpeg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-then-and-now-overlay.jpeg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-then-and-now-overlay.jpeg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past" class="wp-image-17040" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-then-and-now-overlay.jpeg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-then-and-now-overlay.jpeg?resize=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-then-and-now-overlay.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Israel-then-and-now-overlay.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Wall overlay, showing what it may have looked like in ancient times</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="17041" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/western-wall-now/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Western-Wall-now.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251653&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Western Wall now&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Western Wall now" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Western-Wall-now.jpeg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Western-Wall-now.jpeg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Western-Wall-now.jpeg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past" class="wp-image-17041" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Western-Wall-now.jpeg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Western-Wall-now.jpeg?resize=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Western-Wall-now.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Western-Wall-now.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Wall present day photo, without the overlay</figcaption></figure>



<p>Each photo goes along with a summary of what is important about the places you see in the photos.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Here are few places you will learn about in this book:</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Temple-Mount in Jerusalem</li>



<li>The Cardo</li>



<li>Masada</li>



<li>King Herod&#8217;s palace</li>



<li>Tiberias</li>



<li>the Galilee boat</li>



<li>the synagogue of Capernaum</li>



<li>the Roman Temple in Caesarea</li>



<li>Meggido</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="17042" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/jesus-boat/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-boat.jpeg?fit=1280%2C960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,960" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251590&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;80&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Jesus boat&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Jesus boat" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-boat.jpeg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-boat.jpeg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-boat.jpeg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past" class="wp-image-17042" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-boat.jpeg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-boat.jpeg?resize=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 859w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-boat.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jesus-boat.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo of the section from the book about the Galilee boat</figcaption></figure>



<p>My favorite section of this book is the story of the fishing boat discovered in the Sea of Galilee. It dates back to the exact time of Jesus.</p>



<p>Plus, I love how this book is full of full-color photos and illustrations. If this is the kind of book you enjoy, also be sure to check out <a href="https://amzn.to/3Rir12n" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the book I wrote about our trip to Israel</a>, as it is also full of full color photos and stories about each place. However, my book does not have the benefit of the overlays of how the places looked in ancient times. That&#8217;s what makes <em>Israel Then &amp; Now</em> so unique.</p>



<p><em>Israel Then &amp; Now </em>is a quick read. You could read it in one sitting and learn so much. You can <a href="https://amzn.to/3QZcKar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">buy it on Amazon.</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="1147" data-attachment-id="17043" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/dr-bennett-author/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dr.-Bennett-author.jpeg?fit=960%2C1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="960,1280" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712251788&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Dr. Bennett author&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Dr. Bennett author" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dr.-Bennett-author.jpeg?fit=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dr.-Bennett-author.jpeg?fit=860%2C1147&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dr.-Bennett-author.jpeg?resize=860%2C1147&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past" class="wp-image-17043" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dr.-Bennett-author.jpeg?resize=923%2C1231&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 923w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dr.-Bennett-author.jpeg?resize=685%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 685w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dr.-Bennett-author.jpeg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dr.-Bennett-author.jpeg?w=960&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">back cover of <em>Tried by Fire</em></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">I hope you&#8217;ve found at least one book in this list that sounds exciting to you.</h2>



<p>If you&#8217;ve never read any books in this genre before, I would start with Joel Kramer&#8217;s <em><a href="https://amzn.to/4bNrFfP" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Where God Came Down.</a></em> The book is well written and easy to understand. Plus, the photos are so good, and it covers the ten places that it focuses on in great depth. In fact, it looks like he might make this into a series of books.</p>



<p>With God being taught in less and less places, many people are left not knowing what to believe in. So much doubt has been cast on the things of God. Most people do not realize how much of our beliefs is pure history, and not a matter of faith at all. It is a fact Jesus was a real person who lived two thousand years ago. What you believe about Jesus is where the faith comes in. I don&#8217;t think most people realize that. </p>



<p>Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:16:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p>For we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.</p>
<cite>2 Peter 1:16 KJV</cite></blockquote>



<p>I want to challenge you to look up some of these people and places, and you will be amazed at <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how much evidence there is to support the events reported in the Holy Bible.</a></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">These five books are all a solid start to learning about archaeological evidence to support the Bible. </h3>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Have you read a book about Bible Archaeology that was so good you&#8217;d like to share it with others? </h4>



<p>Leave us the title and author of it in the comments section, so we can read it too! I&#8217;d be happy to answer any questions you have in the comments as well.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/">Best Biblical Archaeology Books for Exploring Evidence of the Past</a> appeared first on <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com">Stories of Our Boys</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://storiesofourboys.com/2024/05/21/best-biblical-archaeology-books-for-exploring-evidence-of-the-past/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">16905</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>10 Exciting Archaeology Finds that Support the Bible</title>
		<link>https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2</link>
					<comments>https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[aprilmomoffour]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 May 2023 16:39:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archaeology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible Archaeology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[apologetics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[archaeology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bible archaeology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Israel]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://storiesofourboys.com/?p=14992</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>With thousands of dig sites in Israel, scientists are constantly coming across exciting archaeology finds that support the Bible. There are books upon books about biblical archaeology. There is even a monthly magazine that reports on archaeological findings that relate to the Bible. I will link you to some of my favorite archaeology books at the end of this article. But for now, I want to share 10 exciting and relevant artifacts when it comes to the Bible. When I [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/">10 Exciting Archaeology Finds that Support the Bible</a> appeared first on <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com">Stories of Our Boys</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="821" height="1231" data-attachment-id="16013" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/to-do-list/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/To-Do-List.png?fit=1000%2C1500&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="To-Do-List" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/To-Do-List.png?fit=609%2C913&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/To-Do-List.png?fit=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/To-Do-List.png?resize=821%2C1231&#038;quality=80&#038;ssl=1" alt="10 Exciting Archaeology Finds that Support the Bible, apologetics that are scientific
silver scrolls, dead sea scrolls, hezekiah's tunnel, John's gospel, empty tomb of Jesus, ancient manuscripts, pool of siloam, tel Dan inscription, Abraham's altar, Peter's House, Capernaum, so many more.
Archaeological evidence of the Bible
" class="wp-image-16013" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/To-Do-List.png?resize=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 821w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/To-Do-List.png?resize=667%2C1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 667w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/To-Do-List.png?resize=768%2C1152&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/To-Do-List.png?w=1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px" /></figure>



<p>With thousands of dig sites in Israel, scientists are constantly coming across exciting archaeology finds that support the Bible. </p>



<p>There are books upon books about biblical archaeology. There is even a <a href="https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/magazines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monthly magazine that reports on archaeological findings that relate to the Bible.</a></p>



<p>I will link you to some of my favorite archaeology books at the end of this article. But for now, I want to share 10 exciting and relevant artifacts when it comes to the Bible.</p>



<p>When I decided what I believed about this great world, archaeology certainly had zero impact on what I came to believe. I could feel the presence of God before anyone even told me about him, and that was enough for me. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="821" height="1231" data-attachment-id="15990" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/bible-archaeology-discoveries-that-support-the-bible/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bible-archaeology-discoveries-that-support-the-bible.png?fit=1000%2C1500&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="bible-archaeology-discoveries-that-support-the-bible" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bible-archaeology-discoveries-that-support-the-bible.png?fit=609%2C913&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bible-archaeology-discoveries-that-support-the-bible.png?fit=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bible-archaeology-discoveries-that-support-the-bible.png?resize=821%2C1231&#038;quality=80&#038;ssl=1" alt="Bible archaeology discoveries" class="wp-image-15990" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bible-archaeology-discoveries-that-support-the-bible.png?resize=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 821w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bible-archaeology-discoveries-that-support-the-bible.png?resize=667%2C1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 667w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bible-archaeology-discoveries-that-support-the-bible.png?resize=768%2C1152&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bible-archaeology-discoveries-that-support-the-bible.png?w=1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pictured left to right: remains of Roman cardo in Jerusalem, the skull of Golgotha, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that marks where Jesus was crucified as well as where he was buried. </figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">As we get older, we hear so many competing messages about the world and faith. </h3>



<p>The atheist voices can feel like the loudest ones. God always held true for me, in spite of what the world had to say about the Christian faith. </p>



<p>So archaeology never led me to faith, but it sure is neat to see these clues to the past, dug up by people who are even more enthused by this process than I am. Even a simple 2,000 year old wine jug becomes a marvel to me. It helps me envision what the wine jugs used by Jesus to turn the water into wine looked like.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Archaeology can excite us, deepen our understanding, puzzle us, and offer its own clues to the past. </h3>



<p>These findings can absolutely help validate your faith. </p>



<p>This list of archaeological finds is by no means an exhaustive list. These are just ten that I found inspiring. </p>



<p><em>***Disclaimer: When you purchase through Amazon links on this website, I do collect advertising fees from Amazon, which hardly ever happens really.****</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10 of the Many Archaeology Finds that Support the Bible </h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="492" height="1231" data-attachment-id="15947" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/blue-entrepreneur-personalities-business-infographic-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Blue-Entrepreneur-Personalities-Business-Infographic.png?fit=800%2C2000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="800,2000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Blue-Entrepreneur-Personalities-Business-Infographic" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Blue-Entrepreneur-Personalities-Business-Infographic.png?fit=365%2C913&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Blue-Entrepreneur-Personalities-Business-Infographic.png?fit=492%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Blue-Entrepreneur-Personalities-Business-Infographic.png?resize=492%2C1231&#038;quality=80&#038;ssl=1" alt="Silver Scrolls infographic. all the basic details about the silver scrolls" class="wp-image-15947" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Blue-Entrepreneur-Personalities-Business-Infographic.png?resize=492%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 492w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Blue-Entrepreneur-Personalities-Business-Infographic.png?resize=400%2C1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Blue-Entrepreneur-Personalities-Business-Infographic.png?resize=768%2C1920&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Blue-Entrepreneur-Personalities-Business-Infographic.png?resize=614%2C1536&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 614w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Blue-Entrepreneur-Personalities-Business-Infographic.png?w=800&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 492px) 100vw, 492px" /></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1. <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2020/05/18/the-silver-scrolls-even-older-than-the-dead-sea-scrolls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Silver Scrolls</a></h2>



<p>The infographic I made above gives you all of the most important details. The discovery of the silver scrolls proved that yes, the Bible is indeed ancient. The silver scrolls contain scripture from Numbers and Deuteronomy, and they date back to the 6th-7th century BC.</p>



<p>To learn more about these spools found at <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2020/05/18/the-silver-scrolls-even-older-than-the-dead-sea-scrolls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ketef Hinnom, read the full article I wrote about them here.</a></p>



<p>To see a <a href="https://www.historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=2340" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">picture of what they look like, go here</a>. I would love to share the photo, but alas I do not have the rights.</p>



<p>When a writing is published is so important because when the writing is published close to the time that things happen, there are living witnesses. So you cannot get away with publishing cleverly made up tales. Only the truth can hold water when published near or during the time it happens. </p>



<p>The apostles of Jesus who wrote their accounts wrote from their real experience as well. </p>



<p>History proves you cannot pretend history never happened. Archaeology discoveries further prove that we should take what the Bible says seriously. It is quite sobering.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.wesleyhuff.com/infographics"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="484" data-attachment-id="15948" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/dss-introduction/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSS-Introduction.png?fit=1500%2C843&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1500,843" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="DSS-Introduction" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSS-Introduction.png?fit=859%2C483&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSS-Introduction.png?fit=860%2C484&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSS-Introduction.png?resize=860%2C484&#038;quality=80&#038;ssl=1" alt="Dead Sea scroll www.wesleyhuff.com/infographics" class="wp-image-15948" title="Dead Sea Scroll infographic from welsey huff" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSS-Introduction.png?resize=1252%2C704&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSS-Introduction.png?resize=1000%2C562&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSS-Introduction.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSS-Introduction.png?w=1500&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dead Sea Scroll Infographic by Wesley Huff at <a href="https://www.wesleyhuff.com/infographics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wesleyhuff.com/infographics</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2. The Dead Sea Scrolls</h2>



<p>The Dead Sea Scrolls have to be the most famous of modern archaeology finds that support the Bible. These scrolls were discovered in 1947, in the limestone caves of Qumran, near the Dead Sea.  </p>



<p>The Dead Sea Scrolls contain parts of every single book of the Old Testament, except for Esther. The Isaiah scroll contains the entire book of Isaiah, written 1000 years before any other copy that we had of Isaiah. It is the earliest known complete copy of any book of the Bible. And this is what is amazing to me: that copy of Isaiah is basically the same as the copy of Isaiah that you have now. God&#8217;s word remains unchanged. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Isaiah scroll dates back as early as the second century B.C.</h3>



<p>A fragment of the book of Samuel dates back to the third century B.C. and is written in biblical Hebrew. </p>



<p>The oldest Qumran Bible fragments are of Exodus and Samuel.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="821" height="1231" data-attachment-id="15949" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/the-dead-sea-scrolls/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Dead-Sea-Scrolls.png?fit=1000%2C1500&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="The Dead Sea Scrolls" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Dead-Sea-Scrolls.png?fit=609%2C913&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Dead-Sea-Scrolls.png?fit=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Dead-Sea-Scrolls.png?resize=821%2C1231&#038;quality=80&#038;ssl=1" alt="Dead sea scrolls" class="wp-image-15949" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Dead-Sea-Scrolls.png?resize=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 821w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Dead-Sea-Scrolls.png?resize=667%2C1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 667w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Dead-Sea-Scrolls.png?resize=768%2C1152&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Dead-Sea-Scrolls.png?w=1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px" /></figure>



<p>This discovery was such a big deal because before the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, the oldest copies of the Old Testament only dated back to the eleventh century AD. What a huge difference! </p>



<p>Now no one can say that the Bible was written in modern times. We know too much now. These Old Testament works were already alive and well over two hundred years before Christ was born.</p>



<p>Not everything discovered in the caves was scripture. There are also commentaries on the scriptures, small notes, additional books, and lists.</p>



<p>They investigated thirty more caves after the original Dead Sea Scroll discovery. This turned up 10 more caves containing ancient manuscripts. All eleven caves are in the area near the ancient settlement of the Khirbet Qumran. (Source 1, page 103)</p>



<p>These scrolls are in different languages, some in Aramaic, some in Hebrew, and others in Greek. Notably, the Genesis Apocryphon preserves the accounts of the patriarchs in Aramaic. (Source 1, p. 37)</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Messianic Testimony</h3>



<p>The Messianic Testimony was written in the first century B.C., so before Jesus. It lists all of the Old Testament passages that refer to the coming Messiah. The list also references the coming Messiah as a three-part office: prophet, priest, and king. </p>



<p>I would like to see a copy of that list. Wouldn&#8217;t you? Alas, I could not find one on the internet, but I did not look hard. Let me know in the comments if you find it.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thanks to the Dead Sea Scrolls, we know that the Hebrew text that we have today of the Old Testament is completely accurate. </h3>



<p>These scrolls testify to the reliability of scripture. We have a &#8220;faithful copy of the original words penned by the original author, handed down for generations.&#8221; (Source 1, p. 46)</p>



<p>Want to learn more about the Dead Sea Scrolls? Check out<a href="https://www.imj.org.il/en/wings/shrine-book/dead-sea-scrolls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> this article from The Israel Museum in Jerusalem.</a></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">My &#8220;Source 1&#8221; for both the Silver Scrolls and the Dead Sea scrolls:</h4>



<p><a href="https://amzn.to/40FSkVX" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible</a>, by Joseph M.  Holden and Norman Geisler. ©2013, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="821" height="1231" data-attachment-id="15951" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/hezekiahs-tunnel/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hezekiahs-Tunnel.png?fit=1000%2C1500&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Hezekiahs-Tunnel" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hezekiahs-Tunnel.png?fit=609%2C913&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hezekiahs-Tunnel.png?fit=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hezekiahs-Tunnel.png?resize=821%2C1231&#038;quality=80&#038;ssl=1" alt="Hezekiah's tunnel" class="wp-image-15951" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hezekiahs-Tunnel.png?resize=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 821w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hezekiahs-Tunnel.png?resize=667%2C1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 667w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hezekiahs-Tunnel.png?resize=768%2C1152&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hezekiahs-Tunnel.png?w=1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3. King Hezekiah &amp; Hezekiah&#8217;s Tunnel</h2>



<p>The Bible goes into great detail about many of the things that King Hezekiah did during his lifetime, which was about 726-697 BC. </p>



<p>You can read about King Hezekiah in the Bible in 2 Kings 18 and in 2 Chronicles 29-32. Plus, we have found many artifacts from Hezekiah as well. </p>



<p>King Hezekiah went to great lengths to prepare for attack from Sennacherib of the Assyrians in 701 BC. Hezekiah reinforced the wall of Jerusalem with an added on outer wall. Then he diverted the water from the Gihon Spring into the city. This ensured the people in Jerusalem would have water during a long siege from the Assyrians.</p>



<p>Evidence of that broad wall and Hezekiah&#8217;s water tunnel are still there today. The wall was an impressive 23 feet wide and 27 feet high. </p>



<p>Young people checking out the tunnel in 1880 discovered a Paleo-Hebrew inscription carved into the tunnel. This is one of the oldest Paleo-Hebrew inscriptions ever found. It dates to the 8th century B.C.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The inscription reads: </h3>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p>&#8220;The axes were against each other and while three cubits were left to cut&#8230; and on the day of the tunnel (being finished) the stonecutters struck each man towards his counterpart, ax against ax and flowed water from the source to the pool for 1200 cubits.&#8221;</p>
<cite>8th century Paleo-Hebrew inscription</cite></blockquote>



<p>We have several more artifacts from Hezekiah.</p>



<p>Hezekiah&#8217;s royal seal was found. Plus, the Annals of Sennacherib, dating to 701 BC, tell the story of the Assyrian siege on Jerusalem from Sennacherib&#8217;s point of view. It is written in Akkadian cuneiform. If you would like to <a href="https://historyofinformation.com/detail.php?entryid=2810" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">see a cool photo </a>of it and <a href="https://historyofinformation.com/detail.php?entryid=2810" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">learn more, see this on historyofinformation.com.</a></p>



<p>For more on the story of King Hezekiah and how God defeated the Assyrian Army for him without the Israelites having to even fight, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2019&amp;version=NKJV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">go here.</a> You can find it in 2 Kings, chapter 19. </p>



<p>I love that of all the battles, we have both sides of that one recorded.</p>



<p>Source: <a href="https://amzn.to/40FSkVX" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible</a>, by Joseph M.  Holden and Norman Geisler. ©2013, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon.</p>



<iframe loading="lazy" width="1275" height="717" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RI3t80ZSg6M" title="Hezekiah&#39;s Tunnel" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4. Oldest Copy of John&#8217;s Gospel</h2>



<p>The oldest copy of the gospel of John was written in Greek on papyrus in AD 150-200. The entire book did not survive, but most of it did. Actually there are several other copies of parts of John that are about that old. You can<a href="https://catholic-resources.org/John/Papyri.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> learn more here.</a></p>



<p>This is incredible because it dates the copy back to very near the actual lifespan of the apostle John. If John died in the year AD 99, as it is believed, then this copy dates almost all the way back to his lifetime.  Now that is a reliable source. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="821" height="1231" data-attachment-id="15953" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/for-god-so-loved-the-world-that-he-gave-his-only-begotten-son-that-whosoever-believeth-in-him-should-not-perish-but-have-everlasting-life/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/For-God-so-loved-the-world-that-he-gave-his-only-begotten-Son-that-whosoever-believeth-in-him-should-not-perish-but-have-everlasting-life.png?fit=1000%2C1500&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="For-God-so-loved-the-world-that-he-gave-his-only-begotten-Son-that-whosoever-believeth-in-him-should-not-perish-but-have-everlasting-life" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/For-God-so-loved-the-world-that-he-gave-his-only-begotten-Son-that-whosoever-believeth-in-him-should-not-perish-but-have-everlasting-life.png?fit=609%2C913&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/For-God-so-loved-the-world-that-he-gave-his-only-begotten-Son-that-whosoever-believeth-in-him-should-not-perish-but-have-everlasting-life.png?fit=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/For-God-so-loved-the-world-that-he-gave-his-only-begotten-Son-that-whosoever-believeth-in-him-should-not-perish-but-have-everlasting-life.png?resize=821%2C1231&#038;quality=80&#038;ssl=1" alt="tomb of Jesus" class="wp-image-15953" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/For-God-so-loved-the-world-that-he-gave-his-only-begotten-Son-that-whosoever-believeth-in-him-should-not-perish-but-have-everlasting-life.png?resize=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 821w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/For-God-so-loved-the-world-that-he-gave-his-only-begotten-Son-that-whosoever-believeth-in-him-should-not-perish-but-have-everlasting-life.png?resize=667%2C1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 667w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/For-God-so-loved-the-world-that-he-gave-his-only-begotten-Son-that-whosoever-believeth-in-him-should-not-perish-but-have-everlasting-life.png?resize=768%2C1152&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/For-God-so-loved-the-world-that-he-gave-his-only-begotten-Son-that-whosoever-believeth-in-him-should-not-perish-but-have-everlasting-life.png?w=1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5. Tomb of Jesus</h2>



<p>There are a couple of different places that claim to be the location of the tomb of Jesus. According to my extensive reading in many books and study Bibles, the one in the picture above is extremely accurate. This was probably exactly where they laid him.</p>



<p>This tomb, that no gets to really see, is under a monument inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, in Jerusalem. At the time that they crucified Jesus, this was all outside the city gates. But for modern day Jerusalem, it is inside the city.</p>



<p>In 2016, they restored the enclosure again. A marble cover inside dates back to the  AD 300s. This site has been venerated as the tomb of Jesus since at least the 300s. For <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Holy-Sepulchre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more on that, see this article.</a></p>



<p>The Garden Tomb is far more aesthetically pleasing, so it is also a good place to visit to picture what it might have looked like.</p>



<p>I read in <a href="https://amzn.to/423p4tj" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Under Jerusalem</a>, by Andrew Lawler, that this other tomb was full of skulls that they dug out in the 1800s and the date does not match the timeline that it could have been an unused tomb in the time of Jesus. </p>



<p>For more photos of the Church of the <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/06/16/jerusalem-pictures-part-2-golgotha/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holy Sepulchre, you can see my article on it here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#6. The Most <a href="https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2019/02/15/the-earliest-new-testament-manuscripts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ancient New Testament Manuscripts</a></h2>



<p>I learned the most about these copies of the New Testament gospels from this web <a href="https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2019/02/15/the-earliest-new-testament-manuscripts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">page of the Bible Archaeology Report.</a> They were &#8220;all written within a lifetime of Jesus&#8221;. I love that.</p>



<p>Much like the Dead Sea scrolls, they are tattered looking papyrus fragments. One of these manuscripts was discovered in an ancient garbage dump in Egypt! </p>



<p>All total, there are eleven manuscripts that possibly date back to the 2nd century, and four of them definitely do. </p>



<p>The oldest complete copy of the <a href="https://www.codexsinaiticus.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Testament is the Codex Sinaiticus</a>. The Codex Sinaiticus was handwritten in Greek in the 4th century AD. </p>



<p>There are no ancient manuscripts as well documented and copied as the Bible. See the <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">article I wrote here to learn more about the reliability of scriptures.</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="15984" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/nc6lo3deq6cuqixppiq-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/nC6lo3dEQ6CuQiXPPIQ.jpg?fit=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1252,939" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Tel Dan Stele" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Tel Dan Stele, &#8220;And I killed Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel, and I killed yahu, son of Joram, king of the House of David; and I set their towns into ruins&#8230;&#8221;&lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/nC6lo3dEQ6CuQiXPPIQ.jpg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/nC6lo3dEQ6CuQiXPPIQ.jpg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/nC6lo3dEQ6CuQiXPPIQ.jpg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Tel Dan Stele" class="wp-image-15984" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/nC6lo3dEQ6CuQiXPPIQ.jpg?w=1252&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/nC6lo3dEQ6CuQiXPPIQ.jpg?resize=1000%2C750&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/nC6lo3dEQ6CuQiXPPIQ.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">I took this photo of a copy of the Tel Dan Stele at the Bible Museum in D.C. a few years ago.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#7. Tel Dan Inscription</h2>



<p>The Tel Dan inscription is the first historical evidence of King David, outside of the Bible.</p>



<p>The Tel Dan Inscription is a stone from the 8th century BC.  The stone is carved in Aramaic. It tells how the Aramean king from that area defeated the &#8220;king of the House of David.&#8221; </p>



<p>The writing also described defeating the King of Israel, just as the Bible says that Israel was divided into two kingdoms: Judah (the house of David) and Israel.</p>



<p>Source: <a href="https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/the-tel-dan-inscription-the-first-historical-evidence-of-the-king-david-bible-story/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biblearchaeology.org</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#8. The Pool of Siloam</h2>



<p>The pool of Siloam was uncovered in 2004 when a repair team was excavating a damaged sewer line. (Source: <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-aug-09-sci-siloam9-story.html#:~:text=The%20pool%20of%20Jesus'%20time,Emperor%20Titus%20about%20AD%2070.&amp;text=The%20pool%20was%20discovered%20by,of%20the%20Israel%20Antiquities%20Authority." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Times</a>) Coins in the original plaster of the pool helped provide an accurate date for the construction of the pool.</p>



<p>In the Bible the pool of Siloam is the place where Jesus healed the blind man. You can read that story in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%209&amp;version=NKJV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John, chapter 9.</a> </p>



<p>To see a <a href="https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/the-siloam-pool-where-jesus-healed-the-blind-man/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photo of the pool of Siloam today, go here.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#9. Abraham&#8217;s Altar at Mamre</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p><sup>18&nbsp;</sup>Then Abram moved&nbsp;<em>his</em>&nbsp;tent, and went and&nbsp;dwelt by&nbsp;<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2013&amp;version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-337d">d</a>]</sup>the terebinth trees of Mamre,&nbsp;which&nbsp;<em>are</em>&nbsp;in Hebron, and built an&nbsp;altar there to the&nbsp;Lord.</p>
<cite>Genesis 13: 18</cite></blockquote>



<p>The Bible tell us that Abraham settled at Mamre, where the great trees are, and he set up an altar to the Lord there. Archaeologists believe they have identified Mamre as well as the site where Abraham probably placed his alter. There are even giant holes marking where the large trees once grew. </p>



<p>I read about this in <a href="https://amzn.to/3Vwm7zs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joel Kramer&#8217;s book, Where God Came Down, the Archaeological Evidence</a>. In the book, he provides extensive graphs of the different layers and history of the site. </p>



<p>Joel Kramer also made a video at this very site near Hebron, and I am attaching it below in case you&#8217;d like to see.</p>



<iframe loading="lazy" width="1275" height="717" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mqd0lnQy8Ko" title="Abraham’s Altar at Mamre. Hebron. Joel Kramer. SourceFlix." frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="15980" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/img_6764-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6764.jpg?fit=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1252,939" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Capernaum ruins" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Ruins of Ancient Capernaum, home of Jesus and Peter&lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6764.jpg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6764.jpg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6764.jpg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="ancient Capernaum ruins" class="wp-image-15980" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6764.jpg?w=1252&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6764.jpg?resize=1000%2C750&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6764.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The ruins of ancient Capernaum, where Jesus lived during much of his ministry</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#10. St. Peter&#8217;s House</h2>



<p>This is one of my FAVORITES because I actually got to go see this one in person. The ancient town of Capernaum lies in ruins to this day, and we know that Capernaum is where Peter lived, from <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/matthew/8.html#:~:text=14%20Now%20when%20Jesus%20had,many%20who%20were%20demon%2Dpossessed." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matthew 8</a>. </p>



<p>The archaeological evidence surrounding Peter&#8217;s particular house is astounding. Not only was it written on the walls that it was Peter&#8217;s house. But you can archaeologically see the progression of how this completely ordinary 1st century house was plastered up and turned into a real church. Ordinary dishes were exchanged for larger vessels to serve crowds.</p>



<p>Eventually, in the 1900s, Peter&#8217;s house was preserved under this giant church:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="15981" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/img_6794-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6794.jpg?fit=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1252,939" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Peter&#8217;s House In Capernaum" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;This glass floor in the church build on top of Peter&#8217;s house allows you to look down into the ruins of Peter&#8217;s house. &lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6794.jpg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6794.jpg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6794.jpg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Peter's house, Capernaum" class="wp-image-15981" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6794.jpg?w=1252&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6794.jpg?resize=1000%2C750&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6794.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside this church, you can look down into the ruins of Peter&#8217;s house.</figcaption></figure>



<p>It is believed that Jesus stayed in Peter&#8217;s house for prolonged periods of time. Then later, Peter&#8217;s house became a church. Since the entire village of Capernaum still lies in ruins, we have great access to see it all.</p>



<p>These are a few of the photos I took when we visited, and you can see more in my<a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/08/03/why-capernaum-was-our-favorite-city-to-visit-in-israel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> full post on why Capernaum was our favorite city to visit in Israel.</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="645" data-attachment-id="15982" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/img_6769-3/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6769.jpg?fit=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1252,939" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="St. Peter&#8217;s House" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;This church is built to mark the spot of Peter&#8217;s house in Capernaum. Inside the building, you can actually look down into the ruins of St. Peter&#8217;s house.&lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6769.jpg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6769.jpg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6769.jpg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Peter's house in Capernuam" class="wp-image-15982" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6769.jpg?w=1252&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6769.jpg?resize=1000%2C750&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_6769.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This church, built in the shape of a boat, stands atop the site of Peter&#8217;s house.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Actually, I was delighted to find that Joel Kramer has a YouTube video tour the site of Peter&#8217;s house as well:</p>



<iframe loading="lazy" width="1275" height="717" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IPNKzc1gvOs" title="Peter’s House, Capernaum. How the Bible Affected History Across Centuries. Joel Kramer, SourceFlix." frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">#11. Would you like to read more short articles on Biblical Archaeology finds?  </h2>



<p>Here are a few more I think you would appreciate.</p>



<p>&#8211;<a href="https://biblearchaeology.org/research/founder-s-corner/3764-great-discoveries-in-biblical-archaeology-the-rosetta-stone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rosetta Stone</a> enabled people to understand Egyptian hieroglyphs better. With that knowledge, we could understand that ancient Egyptians also referenced stories that agree with what the Bible says.</p>



<p>&#8211;<a href="https://www.worldhistory.org/Moabite_Stone_[Mesha_Stele]/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Moabite Stone</a>, also known as the Mesha Stele, mentions going to Israel in battle. It even mentions some of their names. You can <a href="https://www.worldhistory.org/Moabite_Stone_[Mesha_Stele]/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">read a lot more about that here.</a></p>



<p>&#8211;<a href="https://www.seetheholyland.net/tag/stepped-stone-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">City of David Stepped Stone Structure</a>. </p>



<p>&#8211;<a href="https://christiananswers.net/q-abr/abr-a011.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walls of Jericho</a></p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="860" height="620" data-attachment-id="16012" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/best-bible-archaeology-books/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?fit=1280%2C922&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1280,922" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 13&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1683562584&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.1&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;best Bible Archaeology books&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="best Bible Archaeology books" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Favorite 5 Bible Archaeology books&lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?fit=859%2C618&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?fit=860%2C620&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=860%2C620&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="Bible Archaeology books" class="wp-image-16012" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=1252%2C902&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=1000%2C720&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?resize=768%2C553&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/best-Bible-Archaeology-books.jpeg?w=1280&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">I am linking below a couple of my favorite Bible Archaeology books, if you would like to read more.  </h2>



<p>These two books will tell you far more about archaeology finds that support the Bible.</p>



<p>#1. <a href="https://amzn.to/40FSkVX" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible</a>, by Joseph M.  Holden and Norman Geisler. ©2013, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon.</p>



<p>This one covers just about everything discovered prior to 2013.</p>



<p>#2. <a href="https://amzn.to/3pdA3SY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Where God Came Down, the Archaeological Evidence</a>, by Joel P. Kramer. ©2020, Published by Expedition Bible&#8211;an imprint of Sourceflix Inc., Utah. </p>



<p>Where God Came Down is very up to date and written in an easy to read style. The author, Joel Kramer, has an M.A. in archaeology from the University of the Holy Land. Plus, he has participated in many digs in Israel himself. This is an excellent source.</p>



<p>#3. T<a href="https://amzn.to/3nCs9lJ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he Evidence Study Bible, NKJV</a>, Commentary by Ray Comfort. Bridge-Logos Publishers; Illustrated edition (March 1, 2011)</p>



<p>#4. <a href="https://amzn.to/3M3Eckj" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, &amp; Timelines</a>, Rose Publishing ©2015</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">This is all just a drop in the bucket of all the artifacts and places that have been uncovered related to the Bible.</h2>



<p>Every year, archaeologists find more Biblical evidence in Israel. It is astounding. At this point, skeptics can no longer say that the Bible is a fairy tale book. It is a historical account. Now what you do with that knowledge is up to you. </p>



<p>I personally felt drawn to read the Bible for myself to figure out what I believed, and I strongly recommend that to everyone. Get to know the God of the Bible, the parts that you do understand and the parts that are hard to grasp. </p>



<p>I hope this helps you want to dig deeper into what you think of your own personal relationship with God. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="821" height="1231" data-attachment-id="15994" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it-3/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/How-do-we-know-the-Bible-is-reliable-Why-do-you-believe-it-1.png?fit=1000%2C1500&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="How do we know the Bible is reliable Why do you believe it" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/How-do-we-know-the-Bible-is-reliable-Why-do-you-believe-it-1.png?fit=609%2C913&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/How-do-we-know-the-Bible-is-reliable-Why-do-you-believe-it-1.png?fit=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/How-do-we-know-the-Bible-is-reliable-Why-do-you-believe-it-1.png?resize=821%2C1231&#038;quality=80&#038;ssl=1" alt="Is the Bible for real? How do we know the Bible is reliable?" class="wp-image-15994" title="how do we know the Bible is real linq" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/How-do-we-know-the-Bible-is-reliable-Why-do-you-believe-it-1.png?resize=821%2C1231&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 821w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/How-do-we-know-the-Bible-is-reliable-Why-do-you-believe-it-1.png?resize=667%2C1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 667w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/How-do-we-know-the-Bible-is-reliable-Why-do-you-believe-it-1.png?resize=768%2C1152&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/How-do-we-know-the-Bible-is-reliable-Why-do-you-believe-it-1.png?w=1000&amp;quality=80&amp;ssl=1 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/<a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>The post <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/">10 Exciting Archaeology Finds that Support the Bible</a> appeared first on <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com">Stories of Our Boys</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://storiesofourboys.com/2023/05/08/10-exciting-archaeology-finds-that-support-the-bible-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">14992</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>How do we know the Bible is reliable? Why do you believe it?</title>
		<link>https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it</link>
					<comments>https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[aprilmomoffour]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Jan 2017 22:10:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Bible]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[books]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[apologetics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[history]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://storiesofourboys.com/?p=8935</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>If someone asked you why you believe the Bible, would you know what to tell them?? How do you know the Bible is reliable? Why do you believe it? This is important, y&#8217;all. Faith is paramount, but people need some reasons behind that faith. These days most people are not educated about the Bible. I&#8217;m going to do the best I can to re-tell the excellent illustration that Pastor Craig Bowers used to show just how reliable the Bible is. Jar [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/">How do we know the Bible is reliable? Why do you believe it?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com">Stories of Our Boys</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="9174" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/lazy-mamas-guide-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Lazy-Mamas-Guide.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="800,1200" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="How do we know the Bible is reliable?" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;How do we know the Bible is reliable?&lt;/p&gt;
" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Lazy-Mamas-Guide.jpg?fit=609%2C913&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Lazy-Mamas-Guide.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" class="wp-image-9174 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Lazy-Mamas-Guide.jpg?resize=485%2C727&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="How do we know the Bible is reliable?" width="485" height="727" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Lazy-Mamas-Guide.jpg?resize=667%2C1000&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 667w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Lazy-Mamas-Guide.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Lazy-Mamas-Guide.jpg?resize=300%2C450&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Lazy-Mamas-Guide.jpg?w=800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></p>
<h3>If someone asked you why you believe the Bible, would you know what to tell them??</h3>
<p>How do you know the Bible is reliable? Why do you believe it?</p>
<p>This is important, y&#8217;all. Faith is paramount, but people need some reasons behind that faith. These days most people are not educated about the Bible. I&#8217;m going to do the best I can to re-tell the excellent illustration that Pastor Craig Bowers used to show just how reliable the Bible is.</p>
<p><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="8937" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/img_5289/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?fit=3264%2C2448&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="3264,2448" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 5s&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1484481113&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.15&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_5289" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" class="wp-image-8937 size-medium" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?resize=860%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="How do we know the Bible is reliable? Why do you believe it?" width="860" height="645" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?resize=1000%2C750&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?w=1720&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1720w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?w=2580&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2580w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></p>
<h2>Jar illustration</h2>
<p>This jar illustration shows how many separate ancient manuscripts exist of the Bible as opposed to the works of Julius Caesar, Plato, or Aristotle. And yet, which one do naysayers question?</p>
<p>Do you see those first few jars on the left? Those represent how many ancient writings we have found from Julius Caesar, Plato, or Aristotle. We have 10 remaining copies of Julius Caesar&#8217;s <em>Gallic Wars</em>. That&#8217;s the 1st jar.</p>
<p>Plato had a handful of letters that remained. That&#8217;s the 2nd jar.</p>
<p>Aristotle has 49 copies remaining, and the oldest one of those was copied 1400 years<a href="http://www.icr.org/bible-manuscripts/"> after Aristotle died. </a></p>
<p>Does anyone question these tiny jars of writings? No.</p>
<p>You see the 1 jar to the left of the Bible that is full of packing peanuts? That one represents <a href="https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/homerinprint/preprint.html">Homer&#8217;s works</a>. Most of these were recorded ages after Homer was long gone. But no one questions the validity of these documents. These are great stories. No problem.</p>
<p>Do you see those stacks and stacks of Sam&#8217;s size jars of packing peanuts to the right of the Bible?? <strong>Those represent how many ancient copies have been found of the Bible, in miraculous agreement with each other. There are over 24,000 copies. Over 24,000!!!</strong></p>
<h4>Over 5,000 ancient &#8220;Greek manuscripts from the New Testament alone still exist today.&#8221; (source 2, page 18)</h4>
<p>The Dead Sea Scrolls were written between 200 BC and 68 AD and are the same as the manuscripts we have today.</p>
<p>By 200 AD, the Bible was already translated into 7 different languages.</p>
<p>500 AD&#8211;13 languages</p>
<p>900&#8211;17 languages</p>
<p>1400&#8211;28 languages</p>
<p>And remember, this is all long before the invention of the printing press in 1440.</p>
<p><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="8937" data-permalink="https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/img_5289/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?fit=3264%2C2448&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="3264,2448" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 5s&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1484481113&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.15&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="IMG_5289" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?fit=859%2C644&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?fit=860%2C645&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1" class="aligncenter wp-image-8937" src="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?resize=579%2C434&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1" alt="How do we know the Bible is reliable? Why do you believe it?" width="579" height="434" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?resize=1000%2C750&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?resize=1252%2C939&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1252w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?w=1720&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1720w, https://i0.wp.com/storiesofourboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMG_5289.jpg?w=2580&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 2580w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 579px) 100vw, 579px" /></p>
<h4>The Bible itself was written by eye-witness accounts, eye-witness accounts who had other witnesses to hold them accountable for telling the truth.</h4>
<p>This was so real to these apostles that 10 out of 12 of them died a martyr&#8217;s death for this cause. What were they killed for? Simply for preaching the gospel. Jesus saves. Trust in Jesus. They never hurt a soul. In fact, they healed many people.</p>
<p><strong>The Bible doesn&#8217;t have a leg to stand on, it has at least 24,000 legs to stand on. The evidence is overwhelming. </strong></p>
<p>And that&#8217;s not all!! There are countless other writings and archaeological finds from antiquity that support the stories in the Bible. There are stories of the flood, stories of the Exodus, and the list goes on and on.</p>
<p>People don&#8217;t disbelieve the Bible because the evidence isn&#8217;t there. The evidence is everywhere. People disbelieve because either they are ignorant or because their hearts are hardened to the truth.</p>
<p>As believers, it is also our responsibility to know WHY we believe. I hope you found reassurance in these facts today.</p>
<blockquote><p>13This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ 14In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.…    Matthew 13:13-14</p></blockquote>
<p>For God so loved the world he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16</p>
<p>Sources:</p>
<p>1.) Sermon notes from Craig Bowers, Jan. 15, 2017. You can follow him on this recently launched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCatFKs3ss9Owd1XCqK1HovQ">YouTube</a> channel.</p>
<p>2.) <em>Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines, 2015, pages 10-11, 48-49</em></p>
<p>3.) <em><a href="http://www.centuryone.com/25dssfacts.html">25 Fascinating Facts About the Dead Sea Scrolls</a> </em></p>
<p>4.) <em>The Holy Bible</em>, NIV</p>
<p>5.) <em>The Holy Bible</em>, KJV</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/">How do we know the Bible is reliable? Why do you believe it?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://storiesofourboys.com">Stories of Our Boys</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://storiesofourboys.com/2017/01/28/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-reliable-why-do-you-believe-it/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>18</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">8935</post-id>	</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
