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Archaeologists Recognise the Bible is Reliable

Biblical archaeology is the Achilles heel of the liberal theologians and the nail in the mummy’s coffin! The Biblical Archaeological Review in 2017 confirmed that fifty- three characters in the Bible have been proven archaeologically.[i] The Hittites are mentioned in the Bible and as little as two hundred years ago, their existence was called into question by the higher critics. Now discoveries have been exhibited and artefacts from this people group can be seen in the British Museum and the Anatolian Museum of Civilization in Ankara, Turkey.

Dr Nelson Glueck was an American Rabbi, academic and renowned archaeologist and he held 20 honorary degrees. At the risk of stating the obvious, he was no lightweight archaeologist and somewhat an authority, concerning Biblical archaeology. This is what he noted concerning the details of the Bible alongside archaeology.

“It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact historical statements in the Bible. And, by the same token, proper evaluation of Biblical descriptions has often led to amazing discoveries.”[ii]

What this means is that the Bible shouldn’t been seen as nothing more than a Hebraic version of Aesop’s fables or just another piece of classic ancient literature. It speaks of real people, events and places and its underlying message has also transformed lives.

Even sceptics have come to a realisation that the Bible is accurate and reliable and following intensive and thorough investigation of the facts have come to trust in Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah. Consider the case of Sir William Ramsay who was raised an Atheist and taught under a German Historical School. He was taught that the Brit Hadasha (New Testament) was not a historical document and therefore he was highly sceptical of its content. Like Glueck, he also attained a surplus of honorary doctorates for his achievements.

Ramsay noticed the remarkable detail that the Book of Luke and Acts (both written by Luke) included concerning rulers, places and events. Ramsay discovered that governors never thought to have existed actually did exist and that without a single error, Luke was accurate in naming 32 countries, 54 cities and 9 Islands. He concluded the following:

“Luke is a historian of the first-rank, not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, this author should be placed among the greatest of historians. Luke’s history is unsurpassed in respect of his trustworthiness.”[iii]

More importantly Ramsay came to realise that the book of the Lord speaks of the Lord of the book and He came to faith by trusting in Jesus as his Lord and Messiah.


[i] Lawrence Mykytiuk January 21st, 2020 53 People in the Bible Confirmed Archaeologically https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/50-people-in-the-bible-confirmed-archaeologically/

[ii] Dr. Nelson Glueck, Rivers in the Desert, (New York: Farrar, Strous and Cudahy, 1959), p136.

[iii] Ramsay, The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament, 222, 1915