Newly discovered Inscription could alter notions of Biblical David

Ostacon of Kh Qeiyafa

KHIRBET QEIYAFA, Israel— “Overlooking the verdant Valley of Elah, where the Bible says David toppled Goliath, archaeologists are unearthing a 3,000-year-old fortified city that could reshape views of the period when David ruled over the Israelites. Five lines on pottery uncovered here appear to be the oldest Hebrew text ever found and are likely to have a major impact on knowledge about the history of literacy and alphabet development.

The five-acre site, with its fortifications, dwellings and multi-chambered entry gate, will also be a weapon in the contentious and often politicized debate over whether David and his capital, Jerusalem, were an important kingdom or a minor tribe, an issue that divides not only scholars but those seeking to support or delegitimize Zionism.”

Comment:

Without going into a long arduous discussion of the two major positions (minimalist and maximalist) archaeologists take regarding the historical reliability of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Scriptures, let me simply state that the former is the dominant view in the lands of the Bible.

Therefore, on a regular basis when discoveries, interpretations, and analyses of archaeological materials run countercultural to the majority view they are met with denial, forced re-analysis, and loud public statements of just how wrong the “other guys” are. Perhaps the majority view isn’t right after all. Who stands to lose the most when evidence compatible with the Biblical record is laid on the table?

Again, the long search for collaborative evidence for King David’s magisterial reign, as outlined in the Bible, has taken another possible step forward with the discovery of these ostraca.

Finally, this note to remember: the absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence.

Learn more:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/world/middleeast/30david.html?_r=2&ref=world&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

http://www.nyjtimes.com/cover/11-04-08/EarliestHebrewTextUncovered.htm

http://www.afhu.org/site/davidcity_pressrelease.htm

http://www.elahfortress.com.

 

 

 

Catholic theologians growing concerned about Biblical literacy.

http://www.zenit.org/article-24250?l=english

http://www.zenit.org/article-24107?l=english

Comment:

These articles reflect a fascinating and refreshing development within Catholicism. I have had countless discussion with my Catholic friends and colleagues about the role of Scripture in the lives of practising, good, faithful Catholics. They assured me  there was a vital movement within the church to reemphasize the Bible in the daily lives of the church’s members. It seems they were in the know.

I have observed that Pope Benedict XVI, as a more conservative theologian with  pragmatic bent, seems to nudge the faithful towards a more personal connection with  the Scriptures.

Biblical illiteracy is a bane to Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant life. Long live the Scripture! 

$50 Million anonymous gift to Wycliffe Translators

Wycliffe USA, a Bible translating organization, received an anonymous gift of $50 million this week, marking the largest donation in the ministry’s history. According to a press release, the funds will be used to accelerate the rate of scripture translation and bring language development and – in most cases – first-time literacy to more than 200 million people by 2025. Using cutting-edge translation techniques developed by Wycliffe personnel, the Last Languages Campaign will accelerate the pace of language development and Bible translation for the world’s remaining language groups from 125 years to 17 years. According to Wycliffe, one in five adults worldwide is illiterate, and more than one-third of the world’s language groups have no Bible translation program underway.

Comment:

Imagine! In the midst of one of the worst recessions in American history, with US and global markets continuing to decline, unemployment at staggering levels, financial institutions crumbling almost daily, someone(s) step forward and donated $50 million dollars. Not to their alma maters, not to some ridiculous cause but to Wycliffe USA.

$50 million dollars to see the Scriptures translated into the last languages on earth without any portion of the precious Word of God. $50 million dollars to see illiteracy erased on the planet; while using the Bible as a primary text in teaching reading skills.

What glorious and generous ‘good news’ at a time when media is so saturated with bad news. My heart was so encouraged. This grand act made my day and will likely make the eternal days of countless millions of unreached peoples as well. The gift accelerated a major translation project scheduled to take 125 years to 17 years. Now, that’s redeeming the time.

To whoever made this wonderful donation I say “Bless you sir, bless you madam. May the wondrous riches of His grace abound toward you. Thank you for being so selfless in giving such a needed gift.”

Note:

Wycliffe USA takes its name from the 14^th century Bible translator John Wycliffe.

To learn more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wycliffe

 http://www.tlogical.net/biowycliffe.htm

 http://wycliffe.org/

 

 

Herod’s Lost Tomb

The National Geographic Channel will premier Herod’s Lost Tomb, Sunday November 23, 9 PM ET. Check local listing.

Herod’s bloody reputation has always hidden another side of one of the Bible’s greatest villains – an architectural mastermind of breathtaking proportions. An Israeli archaeologist claims to have found Herod’s most intimate creation of all – his tomb.

I recommend watching this program but remember just because something is on  TV , even a well-crafted NG documentary, does not mean 100% accuracy or truth. For every archaeological announcement, there are often a slue of alternative interpretations.

I visited the Herodium in 2007 and saw first-hand the excavation site on the steep slopes under the direction of Ehud Netzer.

For more info:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/herod-s-lost-tomb-3571/Overview

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/856784.html

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/12/herod/mueller-text  Herod, National Geographic Magazine

http://hunews.huji.ac.il/articles.asp?cat=6&artID=935  More on Herod from Hebrew University News

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/11/20/king-herod-tomb-print.html  Herod may have been buried among paintings, Discovery News

118th pyramid unearthed in Egypt

Archaeologists have discovered a new pyramid under the sands of Saqqara. The discovery is part of the sprawling necropolis and burial site of the rulers of ancient Memphis, the capital of Egypt’s Old Kingdom, about 12 miles south of Giza.

The 4,300-year-old monument most likely belonged to the queen mother, Sesheshet, who is thought to have played a significant role in establishing the 6th Dynasty and uniting two branches of the feuding royal family. Her son, Teti, ruled for about a dozen years

The find is important because it adds to the understanding of the 6th Dynasty, which reigned from 2,322 B.C. to 2,151 B.C. It was the last dynasty of the Old Kingdom, which spanned the third millennium B.C. and whose achievements are considered the first peak of pharaonic civilization.

Saqqara is most famous for the Step Pyramid of King Djoser, built in the 27th century B.C.

Excavations have been going on here for about 150 years, uncovering a vast Old Kingdom necropolis of pyramids, tombs and funerary complexes, as well as tombs dating from the New Kingdom about 1,000 years later.

So what do I think about this recent discovery?

Here are just a few tidal thoughts that washed ashore in my mind:

·        Much more needs to be done; at Saqqara alone, only 1/3^rd of the necropolis has been excavated, over all, only 5-8% of identified Egyptian sites have had excavations,

·        Shrinking budgets and waning interest for mounting excavations, not only in Egypt but also in Israel, the entire ancient Near East, and the Eastern Mediterranean is alarming. Sadly, there is little “taste” or enthusiasm for archaeology (biblical archaeology) even within the believing faith communities,

·        After discovery comes the hard work (often taking years) of analysis and interpretation, too few young people are considering fields of study that could aid the ever-improving science of archeology.

·        Our current picture of the life and times of the peoples, cultures, nations and empires (about which we read in the Scriptures) is informed by such a very small percentage of the artifacts that are no doubt buried just beneath the sands. We need to continue to support the exploration and discovery of ancient sites as part of our duty to be truth-seekers. We ought to support biblical archaeologist, their excavation projects and on-going research, analysis and publication of findings by both our money and muscle.

 

 

 

Israeli Friend, archaeologist Doron Ben-Ami finds gold

Roman era earring

Massive excavations at Giv

I couldn’t be more thrilled for anyone.  I recall my first meeting with Doron, it was on the acropolis at Tel Hazor, northern Galilee, where he faithfully served as an associate of Dr. Amnon Ben Tor.

He wore many hats, and wore them well, yet he was accessible as an human being to enthusiastic neophytes. He was so patient with my sophomoric questions, with which I bombarded him periodically over several dig seasons at Hazor. He soon became more than a square supervisor; he became a friend.

His assignment as the chief archaeologist on one of the most important digs in Jerusalem( Giv’ati Car Park at the city of David, in the “Walls around Jerusalem National Park”) is well deserved and his faithfulness to work for others is now being rewarded.

It was an honor to spend one day working at his site in July 2007. My colleague, Dennis Malone, joined Doron’s volunteer dig team for several weeks in 2007; his wife Mary and Patti Stenger also spent a day “washing pottery” from the site.

The articles below highlight just one example of exciting discoveries at this impressive site.

 Jerusalem of Gold. http://www.antiquities.org.il/about_eng.asp?Modul_id=1

2,000-year-old gold earring found in Jerusalem http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081110/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_ancient_jewelry

Credits: “Skyview”, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Picture of the earring,  Clara Amit, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.