Biblical Proof

Merry Andrew Wrote:



Well, since the exact measurements of Noah's ark are recorded in the Bible, do you suppose if they found it matching those measurements you might reconsider your position?

I think all you doubters just don't get it. You do not understand the incredible wealth of information that proves the Bible to be absolutely true.

The Bible, for instance, mentions that there was a place called Egypt...and scientists have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt there was.

The Bible mentions that there was a Rome...and once again, scientists have proved absolutely that there was such a place.

And the Bible mentions that Egypt was ruled by a Pharoah...that Rome was ruled by an Emperor...and once again the proof that this is so...is beyond question.

How you folks can doubt that the Bible is absolutely true in all respects in the face of this mountain of evidence is beyond me!

For all I know, Momma, the measurements, in cubits, given in Genesis were the standard measures to which vessels of that remote period were constructed.

My real problem with all this stuff is that there seems to be a compulsive need for the Biblical literalists to prove something. And, as Frank has pointed out, that "proof" often takes the form of finding some artifact which has nothing whatever to do with religion. I don't doubt that a good deal of the content of the Bible is historically accurate (more or less, given that's it's told from a particular viewpoint). But finding a well that's mentioned in the New Testament in no way proves that a miracle was performed at that site. Try to bring that kind of "evidence" into a court of law and see how far you get.

Merry Andrew Wrote:



And Merry Andrew, I would agree with you here about it might have been standard measures, because we aren't told any differently.

As for the rest, my Christian beliefs are based on faith, therefore, I don't feel the need for proof. Actually, I don't believe that a lot of the things in the Bible (i.e., the Garden of Eden, Noah's Ark, etc.) will ever be found here on earth. If we are to believe on faith, then why would God leave those things here? If He did, and they were found, I am sure it would be proof to many, but not all.

My old project supervisor really didn't hold with these people who try to prove the Bible correct. He probably thought the same as you, that Christian beliefs are just that, beliefs, that require faith, and no need for proof.

However, may I point out one thing to you?

http://www.ozyandmillie.org/2005/om20050822.html

Not that I'm saying you're wrong or anything. I just wanted you to think about it, that's all. Is faith and belief good grounds for thinking that something is true or do we need something else?

Wolf,

That in no way whatsoever describes how I feel. I am not superior in any way to any one nor do I feel superior in any way.

You missed the point.



In no way did I ever outright claim or intend to claim that you felt superior because of your belief. I asked whether faith and belief are good grounds for thinking something is true.

After all, in the comic, Millie sees some money and she believes it to be hers, when it clearly is not. Why? Faith. She merely had faith and believed it to be true and the only justification she had was belief and faith. Was it true? Of course not.

So I therefore propose that faith and belief is not enough to say that something is true, and that you do need more than faith and belief.

Wolf O_Donnell Wrote:



Yes, Wolf. I apparently did.

Wolf O_Donnell Wrote:



Thank you. I totally understand your point. But, the kinds of things that I could offer that would be "evidence" or "proof" to you would still probably not be considered so. It's a very hard to thing to explain and define, isn't it?

Archaeology and the New Testament


The New Testament mentions specific individuals, places, and various official titles of local authorities, confirmed by recent archeology. Luke sites exact titles of officials. (Titles varied from city to city so they are easily checked for accuracy.) Lysanias the Tetrarch in Abilene (Luke 3:1)?-verified by inscription dated 14-29 A.D. Erastus, city treasurer of Corinth (Romans 16:23)?-verified by pavement inscription. Gallio?-proconsul of Achaia (Greece) in A.D. 51 (Acts 18:12). Politarchs ("city ruler") in Thessalonica (Acts 17:6). Chief Man of the Island on Malta (Acts 28:7). Stone Pavement at Pilate's headquarters (John 19:13)?-discovered recently. Pool at Bethesda?- discovered in 1888. Many examples of silver shrines to Artemis found (Acts 19:28). Inscription confirms the title of the city as "Temple Warden of Artemis". Account of Paul's sea voyage in Acts is "one of the most instructive documents for the knowledge of ancient seamanship."
Census of Luke 1. Census began under Augustus approximately every 14 years: 23-22 B.C., 9-8 B.C., 6 A.D. There is evidence of enrollment in 11-8 B.C. in Egyptian papyri.
Problem: Historian Josephus puts Quirinius as governor in Syria at 6 A.D. Solution: Recent inscription confirms that Quirinius served as governor in 7 B. C. (in extraordinary, military capacity).
Problem: Herod's kingdom was not part of the Roman Empire at the time, so there would not have been a census. Solution: it was a client kingdom. Augustus treated Herod as subject (Josephus). Parallel?-a census took place in the client kingdom of Antiochus in eastern Asia Minor under Tiberius.
Enrollment in hometown? Confirmed by edict of Vibius Maximus, Roman prefect of Egypt, in 104 A.D. "...it is necessary for all who are for any cause whatsoever way from their administrative divisions to return home to comply with the customary ordinance of enrollment."
Opinion of Sir William Ramsay, one of the outstanding Near Eastern archeologists: "Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy; he is possessed of the true historic sense; he fixes his mind on the idea and plan that rules in the evolution of history, and proportions the scale of his treatment to the importance of each incident. He seizes the important and critical events and shows their true nature at greater length...In short, this author should be placed among the very greatest of historians."
Diggers recently uncovered an ossuary (repository for bones) with the inscription "Joseph Son of Caiaphas." This marked the first archaeological evidence that the high priest Caiaphas was a real person. According to the gospels, Caiaphas presided at the Sanhedrin's trial of Jesus.