by david dann

The Historical The Historical Reliability Of Reliability Of

The BibleThe Bible

By David Dann

Historical Reliability of the Historical Reliability of the BibleBible

““The entirety of Your The entirety of Your word is truth, And every word is truth, And every one of Your righteous one of Your righteous judgments endures for-judgments endures for-ever” (Psalm 119:160--ever” (Psalm 119:160--NKJV).NKJV).

Historical Reliability of the Historical Reliability of the BibleBible

““All Scripture is given by All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous-instruction in righteous-ness” (2 Timothy 3:16).ness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Historical Reliability of Historical Reliability of the Biblethe Bible

“…“…knowing this first, that knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is no prophecy of Scripture is of any private of any private interpretation, for proph-interpretation, for proph-ecy never came by the will ecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).(2 Peter 1:20-21).


““However, when He, the However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will into all truth; for He will not speak on His own not speak on His own authority, but whatever authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; He hears He will speak; and He will tell you and He will tell you things to come” (John things to come” (John 16:13).16:13).


“…“…how that by revelation how that by revelation He made known to me the He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, written already, by which, when you read, you may when you read, you may understand my knowledge understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was which in other ages was not made known to the not made known to the sons of men, as it has now sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and to His holy apostles and prophets” (Eph. 3:3-5).prophets” (Eph. 3:3-5).


““Sanctify them by Your Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17).truth” (John 17:17).


• The Bible—rooted in The Bible—rooted in history, but not a text-history, but not a text-book of history.book of history.

• Is it historically accurate?Is it historically accurate?

– Bible vs. Higher Criticism.Bible vs. Higher Criticism.


““Suddenly a vast panoply of divine Suddenly a vast panoply of divine deeds and events recorded in Scripture deeds and events recorded in Scripture are no longer regarded as having are no longer regarded as having actually happened. Not only, for actually happened. Not only, for example, do the six days of creation, example, do the six days of creation, the historical fall in Eden, and the flood the historical fall in Eden, and the flood seem to us historically untrue, but even seem to us historically untrue, but even more the majority of divine deeds in the more the majority of divine deeds in the biblical history of the Hebrew people biblical history of the Hebrew people become what we choose to call become what we choose to call symbols rather than plain old historical symbols rather than plain old historical facts…these ‘acts’ vanish from the facts…these ‘acts’ vanish from the plane of historical reality and enter the plane of historical reality and enter the never-never land of ‘religious never-never land of ‘religious interpretation’ by the Hebrew people.” interpretation’ by the Hebrew people.”

Langdon Gilkey, (Professor of Theology, University of Chicago)




– Bible vs. Higher Criticism.Bible vs. Higher Criticism.

– Do the facts support the Do the facts support the faith?faith?




• Archaeology & secular Archaeology & secular history confirm the his-history confirm the his-torical accuracy of the torical accuracy of the Bible.Bible.

– General confirmation.General confirmation.

– Specific confirmation.Specific confirmation.

General Confirmation of General Confirmation of O.T.O.T.


• The Flood (Genesis 6-9).The Flood (Genesis 6-9).



• Widespread Famine (Genesis Widespread Famine (Genesis 12:10-20; 42:1-4; 43:1-2).12:10-20; 42:1-4; 43:1-2).




• Large-scale migration.Large-scale migration.

Beni Hassan Wall Paintings of Asian Semitics in Egypt




• Large-scale migration.Large-scale migration.

• Patriarchal names.Patriarchal names.

• Abraham’s behavior (Genesis Abraham’s behavior (Genesis 12:11-13; 16:1-3).12:11-13; 16:1-3).

Code Of Hammurabi


• Stories involving Isaac, Stories involving Isaac, Jacob, & Esau.Jacob, & Esau.

– Birthright (Genesis 25:29-34).Birthright (Genesis 25:29-34).

– Oral Blessing (Genesis 27:1-Oral Blessing (Genesis 27:1-40).40).

– Household Idols (Genesis Household Idols (Genesis 31:17-42).31:17-42).

Nuzi Tablets



• Story of Joseph (Genesis Story of Joseph (Genesis 37:28; 41:39-41).37:28; 41:39-41).



• Story of Joseph (Genesis Story of Joseph (Genesis 37:28; 41:39-41).37:28; 41:39-41).

• Egypt’s treatment of Israel & Egypt’s treatment of Israel & Moses’ census (Exodus 5:6-Moses’ census (Exodus 5:6-13; Numbers 1-4).13; Numbers 1-4).

Thutmose III

Specific Confirmation of Specific Confirmation of O.T.O.T.

• Geography of Old Testament.Geography of Old Testament.



– Hazor (Joshua 11:1). Hazor (Joshua 11:1).

– Megiddo (Joshua 12:21).Megiddo (Joshua 12:21).

– Jerusalem (Joshua 10:1).Jerusalem (Joshua 10:1).

– Lachish (Joshua 10:3). Lachish (Joshua 10:3).

– Dor (Joshua 11:2). Dor (Joshua 11:2).

– Gaza (Genesis 10:19). Gaza (Genesis 10:19).

– Karnaim (Genesis 14:5). Karnaim (Genesis 14:5).

– Canaan (Genesis 11:31).Canaan (Genesis 11:31).

Ebla Tablets



– Hazor (Joshua 11:1). Hazor (Joshua 11:1).

– Megiddo (Joshua 12:21).Megiddo (Joshua 12:21).

– Jerusalem (Joshua 10:1).Jerusalem (Joshua 10:1).

– Lachish (Joshua 10:3). Lachish (Joshua 10:3).

– Dor (Joshua 11:2). Dor (Joshua 11:2).

– Gaza (Genesis 10:19). Gaza (Genesis 10:19).

– Karnaim (Genesis 14:5). Karnaim (Genesis 14:5).

– Canaan (Genesis 11:31).Canaan (Genesis 11:31).

– Ur of Chaldees (Genesis 11:27-Ur of Chaldees (Genesis 11:27-28; 12:1; Hebrews 11:9).28; 12:1; Hebrews 11:9).

Ur of the Chaldees



– Haran (Genesis 11:31-32).Haran (Genesis 11:31-32).

– Hebron (Genesis 23:2).Hebron (Genesis 23:2).

– Beersheba (Genesis 21:31).Beersheba (Genesis 21:31).

– Shechem (Genesis 12:6).Shechem (Genesis 12:6).

– Laish (Judges 18:29).Laish (Judges 18:29).

– Nineveh (Genesis 10:11).Nineveh (Genesis 10:11).

– Ekron (Joshua 13:3).Ekron (Joshua 13:3).

Nineveh



– Haran (Genesis 11:31-32).Haran (Genesis 11:31-32).

– Hebron (Genesis 23:2).Hebron (Genesis 23:2).

– Beersheba (Genesis 21:31).Beersheba (Genesis 21:31).

– Shechem (Genesis 12:6).Shechem (Genesis 12:6).

– Laish (Judges 18:29).Laish (Judges 18:29).

– Nineveh (Genesis 10:11).Nineveh (Genesis 10:11).

– Ekron (Joshua 13:3).Ekron (Joshua 13:3).

– Jericho (Joshua 2:1). Jericho (Joshua 2:1). Jericho



– Copper in Canaan (Deut-Copper in Canaan (Deut-eronomy 8:9).eronomy 8:9).

– Solomon’s horse stables in Solomon’s horse stables in Megiddo (1 Kings 9:19).Megiddo (1 Kings 9:19).

Megiddo Horse Stables



– Copper in Canaan (Deut-Copper in Canaan (Deut-eronomy 8:9).eronomy 8:9).

– Solomon’s horse stables in Solomon’s horse stables in Megiddo (1 Kings 9:19).Megiddo (1 Kings 9:19).

– Jeroboam’s “high place” in Jeroboam’s “high place” in Dan (1 Kings 12:26-31).Dan (1 Kings 12:26-31).

“High Place” at Dan


• People of the Old Testament.People of the Old Testament.



– Merneptah Stele mentions Merneptah Stele mentions Israel (13Israel (13thth century B.C.). century B.C.).

– Earlier reference to “Asher” Earlier reference to “Asher” (14(14thth century B.C.). century B.C.).

Merneptah Stele



– Moabite Stone of Mesha refers Moabite Stone of Mesha refers to Israelite king Omri (1 Kings to Israelite king Omri (1 Kings 16:16) and his son (1 Kings 16:16) and his son (1 Kings 21:25).21:25).

Moabite Stone



– Shalmaneser III makes Shalmaneser III makes reference to Hazael’s usurp-reference to Hazael’s usurp-ation of Ben-Hadad (2 Kings ation of Ben-Hadad (2 Kings 8:15).8:15).

Shalmaneser III



– Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III speaks of Jehu’s tribute to III speaks of Jehu’s tribute to Assyria (2 Kings 9:1-10).Assyria (2 Kings 9:1-10).

Black Obelisk



– Records of Tiglath Pileser III Records of Tiglath Pileser III mention Menahem, Pekah, and mention Menahem, Pekah, and Hoshea (2 Kings 15:29-30).Hoshea (2 Kings 15:29-30).

Tiglath Pileser III



– Records of Sennacherib refer Records of Sennacherib refer to Hezekiah’s tribute to Assyria to Hezekiah’s tribute to Assyria (2 Kings 18:14-16).(2 Kings 18:14-16).

Sennacherib



– Taylor Prism of Sennacherib Taylor Prism of Sennacherib harmonizes with Biblical harmonizes with Biblical account of his unsuccessful account of his unsuccessful siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 18; siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 18; 19:35-36).19:35-36).

Taylor Prism



– Hezekiah’s tunnel (2 Kings Hezekiah’s tunnel (2 Kings 20:20).20:20).

Hezekiah’s Tunnel



– Shebna’s tomb (Isaiah 22:15).Shebna’s tomb (Isaiah 22:15).

Tomb of Shebna



– Babylonian king Merodach-Babylonian king Merodach-Baladan (2 Kings 20:12).Baladan (2 Kings 20:12).

Merodach-Baladan



– The records of king Esar-The records of king Esar-haddon of Assyria agree with haddon of Assyria agree with Biblical accounts (2 Kings Biblical accounts (2 Kings 20:36-37; 2 Chronicles 33:10-20:36-37; 2 Chronicles 33:10-11).11).

Esarhaddon



– King Nebuchadnezzar of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (2 Kings 25).Babylon (2 Kings 25).

Nebuchadnezzar’s Palace



– King Nebuchadnezzar of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (2 Kings 25).Babylon (2 Kings 25).

– The Babylonian Chronicle The Babylonian Chronicle mentions Nebuchadnezzar’s mentions Nebuchadnezzar’s removal of Jehoiachin as king removal of Jehoiachin as king of Judah (2 Kings 24:17).of Judah (2 Kings 24:17).

Babylonian Chronicle



– Seals inscribed with the Seals inscribed with the names of Gemariah, king names of Gemariah, king Jehoiakim’s scribe (Jeremiah Jehoiakim’s scribe (Jeremiah 36:10), Baruch, who was 36:10), Baruch, who was Jeremiah’s scribe (Jeremiah Jeremiah’s scribe (Jeremiah 36:4), Gedaliah the governor 36:4), Gedaliah the governor (Jeremiah 40:5), and Ishmael, (Jeremiah 40:5), and Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah the son of Nethaniah (Jeremiah 41:2) who (Jeremiah 41:2) who assassinated him.assassinated him.

Gemariah

Baruch

Gedaliah



– The list of rations king Evil-The list of rations king Evil-Merodach appointed for Merodach appointed for Jehoiachin while captive in Jehoiachin while captive in Babylon (2 Kings 25:27-30).Babylon (2 Kings 25:27-30).

Jehoiachin’s Rations



– The Cyrus Cylinder confirms The Cyrus Cylinder confirms king Cyrus of Persia and his king Cyrus of Persia and his lenient stance toward captive lenient stance toward captive nations (2 Chronicles 36:22-nations (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4).23; Ezra 1:1-4).

Cyrus Cylinder



– The Behistun Rock confirms The Behistun Rock confirms the reign of Darius the Great the reign of Darius the Great (Ezra 5-6).(Ezra 5-6).

Behistun Rock



– The Persian king Ahasuerus The Persian king Ahasuerus of the book of Esther has of the book of Esther has been identified in secular been identified in secular history as “Xerxes,” who was history as “Xerxes,” who was succeeded by his son, succeeded by his son, Artaxerxes (Neh. 2:1).Artaxerxes (Neh. 2:1).

Xerxes (Ahasuerus)



– The Elephantine papyri The Elephantine papyri confirm the existence of confirm the existence of Sanballat of Samaria (Neh. Sanballat of Samaria (Neh. 4:1), while the Zeno papyri 4:1), while the Zeno papyri confirm the existence of confirm the existence of Tobiah the Ammonite (Neh. Tobiah the Ammonite (Neh. 4:3). 4:3).

Zeno Papyri


• Events of the Old Testament.Events of the Old Testament.



– First century A.D. Jewish First century A.D. Jewish historian Josephus wrote of historian Josephus wrote of evidence of destruction of evidence of destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah and Sodom & Gomorrah and stated that traces of the stated that traces of the destroyed cities could still be destroyed cities could still be seen in his day, while the first seen in his day, while the first century A.D. Roman historian century A.D. Roman historian Tacitus speaks of these cities Tacitus speaks of these cities as having been “consumed as having been “consumed by lightning” and also affirms by lightning” and also affirms that their ruins were visible in that their ruins were visible in his day. his day.

Cornelius Tacitus



– Widespread worship of the Widespread worship of the pagan deities Baal (Judges pagan deities Baal (Judges 2:13), Dagon, and Ashtaroth 2:13), Dagon, and Ashtaroth (1 Samuel 31:10) in Canaan.(1 Samuel 31:10) in Canaan.

Baal

DagonAshtaroth



– Three phases of the Three phases of the Babylonian captivity of Judah Babylonian captivity of Judah (Dan. 1:1-6; Ezek. 1:1-3; 2 (Dan. 1:1-6; Ezek. 1:1-3; 2 Chron. 36:15-21) have been Chron. 36:15-21) have been confirmed through the confirmed through the “Bayblonian Chronicle,” the “Bayblonian Chronicle,” the “Chronicles of the Chaldean “Chronicles of the Chaldean Kings,” and the “Lachish Kings,” and the “Lachish Letters.” Letters.”

Babylonian Chronicle

Lachish Letters

General Confirmation of General Confirmation of N.T.N.T.


• Character of Roman census Character of Roman census ordered by Augustus (Luke ordered by Augustus (Luke 2:1-3).2:1-3).

Augustus Caesar


• Coins mentioned in the New Coins mentioned in the New Testament (Testament (Matt. 20:2; Matt. 20:2; 22:17-21; 26:14-15; Mk. 22:17-21; 26:14-15; Mk. 12:41-44). 12:41-44).

Denarius (Augustus)

Shekel (First Century A.D.)


• Presence of Jewish Presence of Jewish communities (Acts 2:5-11).communities (Acts 2:5-11).


• Presence of Jewish Presence of Jewish communities (Acts 2:5-11).communities (Acts 2:5-11).

• Reference to Queen of Reference to Queen of Ethiopia as “Candace” Ethiopia as “Candace” (Acts 8:27). (Acts 8:27).


• Altars to “unknown gods” Altars to “unknown gods” (Acts 17:23).(Acts 17:23).

Specific Confirmation of Specific Confirmation of N.T.N.T.

• New Testament Geography.New Testament Geography.



– Cities and towns such as Cities and towns such as Rome, Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, Jerusalem, Athens, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Cap-Bethlehem, Nazareth, Cap-ernaum, Antioch of Syria, ernaum, Antioch of Syria, Corinth, Ephesus, etc. have Corinth, Ephesus, etc. have been identified and been identified and excavated. excavated.

Rome

Capernaum

JerusalemAthens (Mars’ Hill)



– The judgment seat (bema) of The judgment seat (bema) of Corinth (Acts 18:12-17).Corinth (Acts 18:12-17).

Corinthian Bema (Judgment Seat)



– Temple of Diana and theater Temple of Diana and theater of Ephesus (Acts 19:27-41).of Ephesus (Acts 19:27-41).

Temple of Diana

Ephesus-Theater


• New Testament Geography.New Testament Geography.– The Jordan River (Matthew The Jordan River (Matthew

3:13-17), Sea of Galilee (John 3:13-17), Sea of Galilee (John 6:1), Mount of Olives (John 6:1), Mount of Olives (John 8:1), and the Pools of 8:1), and the Pools of Bethesda and Siloam (John Bethesda and Siloam (John 5:1-15; 9:1-11) have been 5:1-15; 9:1-11) have been identified, along with many identified, along with many other significant locations.other significant locations.

Jordan River

Sea of GalileeMount of Olives



– The Jordan River (Matthew The Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-17), Sea of Galilee (John 3:13-17), Sea of Galilee (John 6:1), Mount of Olives (John 6:1), Mount of Olives (John 8:1), and the Pools of 8:1), and the Pools of Bethesda and Siloam (John Bethesda and Siloam (John 5:1-15; 9:1-11) have been 5:1-15; 9:1-11) have been identified, along with many identified, along with many other significant locations.other significant locations.

Pool of Bethesda

Pool of Siloam


• New Testament People.New Testament People.



– Roman emperors Augustus Roman emperors Augustus (Luke 2:1), Tiberius (Luke (Luke 2:1), Tiberius (Luke 3:1), Claudius (Acts 11:28), 3:1), Claudius (Acts 11:28), and Nero, (Acts 25:10-12), are and Nero, (Acts 25:10-12), are well known through secular well known through secular history.history.

Augustus

Tiberius Claudius Nero



– The ruling family of the The ruling family of the Herods, including Herod the Herods, including Herod the Great (Matthew 2:1), Herod Great (Matthew 2:1), Herod Archelaus (Matthew 2:22), Archelaus (Matthew 2:22), Herod Philip (Luke 3:1), Herod Herod Philip (Luke 3:1), Herod Antipas (Mark 6:14-18), Herod Antipas (Mark 6:14-18), Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:20-23), and Agrippa I (Acts 12:20-23), and Herod Agrippa II (Acts 26:1-3), Herod Agrippa II (Acts 26:1-3), is also well attested in secular is also well attested in secular history. history.

Herod the Great



– Historical accounts of Historical accounts of government officials such as government officials such as Quirinius (Luke 2:2), Lysanias Quirinius (Luke 2:2), Lysanias (Luke 3:1), Pontius Pilate (Luke 3:1), Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:2), Sergius (Matthew 27:2), Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:7), Gallio Paulus (Acts 13:7), Gallio (Acts 18:12), and Felix (Acts (Acts 18:12), and Felix (Acts 23:23-24) agree with the Bible.23:23-24) agree with the Bible.

– Pontius Pilate inscription was Pontius Pilate inscription was discovered in 1961. discovered in 1961.

Pontius Pilate Inscription


• New Testament People.New Testament People.– As for Jewish leaders in the As for Jewish leaders in the

New Testament, the ossuary New Testament, the ossuary (burial box) of Caiaphas the (burial box) of Caiaphas the high priest (Matthew 26:3) high priest (Matthew 26:3) was discovered in 1990, was discovered in 1990, Gamaliel (Acts 5:34) is Gamaliel (Acts 5:34) is mentioned in the Jewish mentioned in the Jewish Talmud, and Ananias the high Talmud, and Ananias the high priest is known through priest is known through secular history.secular history.

Caiaphas Ossuary


• New Testament People.New Testament People.– Josephus makes mention of Josephus makes mention of

both John the Baptizer both John the Baptizer (Matthew 3:1) and James the (Matthew 3:1) and James the brother of Jesus (Galatians brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19). 1:19).

Flavius Josephus


• New Testament People.New Testament People.– In 1929 a first century A.D. In 1929 a first century A.D.

limestone inscription which limestone inscription which makes reference to Erastus makes reference to Erastus the city treasurer (Rom. 16:23) the city treasurer (Rom. 16:23) was discovered in Corinth.was discovered in Corinth.

Erastus Inscription


• Non-Biblical References To Non-Biblical References To Jesus.Jesus.



– The Roman historian The Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus (60-120 Cornelius Tacitus (60-120 A.D.) states that Christ was A.D.) states that Christ was executed by Pontius Pilate in executed by Pontius Pilate in Judea during the reign of Judea during the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Tacitus, Tiberius Caesar (Tacitus, AnnalsAnnals 15.43). 15.43).

– The Roman historian, Gaius The Roman historian, Gaius Suetonius (69-140 A.D.) traces Suetonius (69-140 A.D.) traces a disturbance among the a disturbance among the Jews in Rome back to the Jews in Rome back to the influence of Christ (Suetonius influence of Christ (Suetonius 5.25).5.25).

Cornelius Tacitus



– The Jewish historian Flavius The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37-100 A.D.) makes Josephus (37-100 A.D.) makes reference to the ministry of reference to the ministry of Christ and to his crucifixion Christ and to his crucifixion by Pilate at the urging of the by Pilate at the urging of the Jewish leaders (Josephus, Jewish leaders (Josephus, Antiquities 18.3.3), and refers Antiquities 18.3.3), and refers to “Jesus, who was called to “Jesus, who was called Christ” in writing of the death Christ” in writing of the death of James (Josephus, of James (Josephus, Antiquities 20.9.1).Antiquities 20.9.1).

Flavius Josephus



– Pliny the Younger (62-113 Pliny the Younger (62-113 A.D.), governor of Bithynia & A.D.), governor of Bithynia & Pontus, wrote to emperor Pontus, wrote to emperor Trajan with questions Trajan with questions concerning treatment of concerning treatment of Christians and provided Christians and provided described their regular described their regular worship of Christ.worship of Christ.

– Greek satirist Lucian of Greek satirist Lucian of Samosata (125-190 A.D.) Samosata (125-190 A.D.) wrote of Christ as originator wrote of Christ as originator of this cult who was crucified of this cult who was crucified in Palestine. in Palestine.

Trajan

Significance of Historical Significance of Historical ReliabilityReliability

• Overcoming The Critics.Overcoming The Critics.



– Evidence of camels dating to Evidence of camels dating to several hundred years before several hundred years before Abraham’s day has been Abraham’s day has been found in Egypt (Genesis found in Egypt (Genesis 12:16). 12:16).

– Ancient inscriptions found in Ancient inscriptions found in Palestine indicate that alpha-Palestine indicate that alpha-betic writing was in use in betic writing was in use in that part of the world even that part of the world even before the time of Moses.before the time of Moses.

– The Code of Hammurabi The Code of Hammurabi demonstrates sophistication demonstrates sophistication of ancient law codes. of ancient law codes.

Code Of Hammurabi


• Overcoming The Critics.Overcoming The Critics.– A vast Hittite empire has been A vast Hittite empire has been

discovered and many discovered and many universities now offer a PhD universities now offer a PhD in Hittite Studies (Genesis in Hittite Studies (Genesis 15:20; Deuteronomy 7:1).15:20; Deuteronomy 7:1).

Hittites

Kadesh Treaty Between Hittites & Egypt



– In 1993 a 3,000 year old In 1993 a 3,000 year old monumental inscription refer-monumental inscription refer-ring to “the House of David” ring to “the House of David” was found in northern Israel was found in northern Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). (2 Samuel 5:3).

“House of David” Inscription


• Overcoming The Critics.Overcoming The Critics.– Palace of Sargon, king of Palace of Sargon, king of

Assyria (Isaiah 20:1) was Assyria (Isaiah 20:1) was discovered in 1843. discovered in 1843.

Palace of Sargon



– Inscriptions uncovered in Inscriptions uncovered in ancient Babylonia confirm ancient Babylonia confirm Belshazzar’s existence and Belshazzar’s existence and indicate that he was co-ruler indicate that he was co-ruler of Babylon with his father, of Babylon with his father, Nabonidus (Daniel 5:1-31).Nabonidus (Daniel 5:1-31).

Nabonidus Cylinder



– Inscriptions have been Inscriptions have been uncovered which indicate that uncovered which indicate that Quirinius actually served as Quirinius actually served as governor twice (Luke 2:2).governor twice (Luke 2:2).

– In 1968 the bones of a In 1968 the bones of a crucified man, Yohanan ben crucified man, Yohanan ben Ha’galgol, were discovered in Ha’galgol, were discovered in a tomb outside Jerusalem, a tomb outside Jerusalem, having received a proper having received a proper Jewish burial (Luke 23:50-56).Jewish burial (Luke 23:50-56).

– The Bible criticizes the The Bible criticizes the critics!!!critics!!!

Bone of Crucified Man


• The Bible Deserves The The Bible Deserves The Benefit Of The Doubt.Benefit Of The Doubt.



– The historical reliability of the The historical reliability of the Bible makes it unique.Bible makes it unique.

– The Bible has fended off The Bible has fended off criticism at every turn, and its criticism at every turn, and its historical accuracy has been historical accuracy has been confirmed.confirmed.

– We should only expect further We should only expect further confirmation of the details of confirmation of the details of biblical history to emerge in biblical history to emerge in

the future.the future.



– Critics should reserve Critics should reserve judgment when before judgment when before casting doubt on the integrity casting doubt on the integrity of the Scriptures.of the Scriptures.

– Passages currently lacking Passages currently lacking extra-biblical confirmation extra-biblical confirmation may yet be confirmed in the may yet be confirmed in the future.future.

– The Bible has The Bible has earnedearned the the right to receive the right to receive the benefit of the doubt!benefit of the doubt!

ConclusionConclusion• Christians must defend the Christians must defend the

historical accuracy of the Bible.historical accuracy of the Bible.

• Must be “set for the defense of Must be “set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17) & the gospel” (Phil. 1:17) & “always be ready to give a “always be ready to give a defense” of the truth (1 Peter defense” of the truth (1 Peter 3:15).3:15).

• Must uphold and guard the Must uphold and guard the integrity of the inspired record.integrity of the inspired record.

• The Bible is not a book of The Bible is not a book of “cunningly devised fables” (2 “cunningly devised fables” (2 Peter 1:16).Peter 1:16).

• The Bible truly is “the word of The Bible truly is “the word of God which lives and abides God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:23).forever” (1 Peter 1:23).

The Bible The Bible isis

Historically Historically Reliable!!!Reliable!!!

by david dann

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