Current Events Articles: December 2008

ABR in Urgent Need of Help posted by Scott Lanser MA

Dear Friends,

As you are all well aware, an economic earthquake has occurred in our country and around the world that has brought great hardship and difficulty to many people. Everyone is feeling the effects of this turmoil. Here at ABR we have experienced a serious and steady decline of financial support that profoundly threatens our ability to carry out our ministry. I do not make this statement lightly or carelessly. ABR is facing a serious problem and I know that those of you who care very deeply about ABR would want to be made aware of this. Please understand that we have already taken strong steps to operate with extraordinary efficiency, and to honor each gift given through careful stewardship.

Due to the fact that so many ministries are struggling in these perilous financial times, we know we are not alone in asking for help. We recognize that it is critical that each of us first takes care of our own local church’s needs and that we honor the giving commitments we have already made. In light of those commitments, we are asking those of you who can find your way clear to help us, and that you would respond as generously as you are able and as the Lord directs.

We are encouraged by David in Psalm 112 of important truths we all need to keep in mind at this time: “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear….” May the Lord help each of us to walk in security and without fear. And may He help us to continue to be generous in spite of the bad news we hear all around us.

Thank you for allowing me to share this need with you and for any help you can provide at this time. May the Lord direct each of us with wisdom, courage, and generosity as we face the challenges ahead.

For His honor,

Scott Lanser, Director
Associates for Biblical Research

Please help ABR at this time by making a donation: Make a donation now

'Tolerance' on Display in Germany posted by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

A rowdy demonstration at a German university shows that ‘tolerance’ does not extend to creation and the Bible.

http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/6182

Solomon Temple Era Ivory Pomegranate may be Authentic posted by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

An Israeli scientist employed by the defense in the Jerusalem forgery trial has concluded that the inscription on the famous ivory pomegranate (“[Belonging] to the Temple of [Yahwe]h, consecrated to the priests”) is authentic.

http://www.bib-arch.org/news/news-ivory-pomegranate.asp

Temple Tax Coin Found in Temple Mount Debris posted by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Two ancient coins, one used to pay the Temple tax and another minted by the Greek leader the Jews fought in the story of Hanukkah, have been uncovered amid debris from Jerusalem's Temple Mount, said Bar-Ilan University Professor Gabriel Barkay, who is leading the sifting operation.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1228728255435&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=1048260

ABR participated in the Temple Mount Sifting Project in the summer of 2007. For comments from participants on this exciting project, see: ABR Travelers Return from The Temple Mount Sifting Project and Jerusalem Field Studies Tour

Also, see this article by Gordon Franz: The Tyrian Shekel and the Temple of Jerusalem

Dad links son's suicide to 'The God Delusion' posted by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

A New York man is linking the suicide of his 22-year-old son, a military veteran who had bright prospects in college, to the anti-Christian book "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins after a college professor challenged the son to read it.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=81459

Ed. note: The factors contributing to suicide can often be complex. But, if the claims are true that this young man took his own life primarily because he lost faith due to evolutionary ideas propagated by the likes of Richard Dawkins, it demonstrates the great need for the church at large to equip the younger generation to stand firm in their faith. There are intellectually sound, Biblical and scientific answers to these attacks on the Christian faith. Dawkins' book is easily refuted, as long as one is familiar with the Christian worldview and understands the basic tenants of evolution. Pray for this young man's family as they grieve such a terrible loss and pray for the church at large to turn its efforts towards this all important issue of origins and the reliability of the early chapters of Genesis.

Australian Public Schools to go "God-free" posted by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

“Religion in schools to go God-free” read the headline in The Sunday Age newspaper of December 14, 2008 in Victoria, Australia. The Humanist Society of Victoria has developed a curriculum, which the State Government accreditation body says it intends to approve, to teach “Applied Ethical Humanism—Humanism for Schools” in primary school religious education classes, from prep to grade 6 in 2009.

http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/6229

Perfume Vials from the Time of Christ Found in Israel posted by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Perfumes and ointments found at Magdala may resemble those used by Mary Magdalene to anoint the feet of Christ.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3636793,00.html

 

The Valley of the Kings Updates posted by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Keep up with the latest developments and discoveries from Egypt's infamous Valley of the Kings.

http://www.kv64.info/

 

Can ancient Babylon be rescued? posted by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The U.S. says it will help rehabilitate Babylon, funding an effort by the World Monuments Fund and Iraq's State Board of Antiquities and Heritage. Archaeologists hope the effort will lead someday to new digging to follow up on the excavations done by a German team in the early 1900s.

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/lifestyle/10379838.asp?scr=1

"David and Goliath" City Found in Israel? posted by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The remains of an ancient gate have pinpointed the location of the biblical city Sha'arayim, say archaeologists working in Israel.

In the Bible young David is described as battling Goliath in the Elah Valley near Sha'arayim. The fortified gate at the Elah Fortress—the second to be found at the site—proves the existence of Sha'arayim, which means "two gates" in Hebrew, said Hebrew University archaeologist Yosef Garfinkel.

In October, Garfinkel revealed a 3,000-year-old pottery shard with text believed to be Hebrew—then hailed by some as the most important archaeological discovery in Israel since the Dead Sea Scrolls. see: Oldest Possibly Hebrew Inscription Found outside Jerusalem

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/11/081121-biblical-city.html

http://www.jewishchronicle.org/article.php?article_id=10882

Herod's Tomb Update posted by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Analysis of newly revealed items found at the site of the mausoleum of King Herod at Herodium (Herodion in Greek) have provided Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeological researchers with further assurances that this was indeed the site of the famed ruler’s 1st century BC grave.

Photo: Associated Press

http://hunews.huji.ac.il/articles.asp?cat=6&artID=935

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1226404780993

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/12/herod/mueller-text/1

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/11/081119-herod-tomb-paintings-missions.html

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