Archeology

I was watching this episode of Nova about a week ago. They were looking for archeological evidence of the Israelites. In particular, they wanted to know how the Israelites got the idea of one God when all the other nations around them had many gods. Apparently that was a brand new idea way back then.

And how did they come up with the name of their god? YHWH, which we interpret as Yahweh. It was unspeakable to the ancient Jews. Well, see, according to the experts, there were some people, the Assyrians, I think, who had a god named YHW, pronounced Yahoo. Seriously. So, the scientists say, the Israelites probably adapted the name from them.

And then there is this whole question about whether or not there really were a group of people who fled from Egypt to the land we now know as Israel and Palestine. There is no archeological evidence to support the story. Maybe they were just a tribe that migrated from some of the Canaanites.

I like to hear what non-believing scientists say about the Bible. It helps me when I come across someone with a wild idea.

The thing is, all this theory is interesting, but where is the faith? Hebrews 11:6 says that "without faith it is impossible to please God, for all who come to him must believe that He exists that that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him." These scientists are not looking for God. They are looking for facts. Facts cannot save someone from their sins. Archeological evidence alone cannot bring someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. At some point the facts must end and faith must begin.

Now, I'm not an advocate of blind faith. I think that leads people down some very dangerous and strange paths. People can follow anything on blind faith. I can believe my refrigerator can save me from Hell with blind faith.

All this historical and archeological evidence does for me is strengthen what I already believe. The Bible is reliable. It's message is revolutionary. It is truth. It is the infallible Word of God. And if the archeologists tell me there is no evidence to prove the Bible is true, just wait a while and someone will discover another piece that proves the contrary.