Research Articles: All posts by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Bible and Spade Bibliographies and Endnotes 9/23/2014 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Are you looking for endnotes and/or bibliographies? Go to the bottom of this page, and select your article.

Preview of the Winter 2014 Issue of Bible and Spade 3/27/2014 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Check out this preview of the latest issue of Bible and Spade, soon to be delivered to our members and subscribers.

Interview on WFIL with Henry Smith 1/27/2014 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Mark Daniels of WFIL in Philadelphia interviews ABR Director of Development, Henry Smith.

Preview of the Fall 2013 Issue of Bible and Spade 12/12/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Check out this sneak preview of the latest issue of Bible and Spade, soon to be delivered to our members and subscribers.

Flimsy Fundamentalism? 10/17/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

We recently received a series of comments from a website visitor who we will refer to as PJ. The comments were made in response to an article by Dr. Todd Beall entitled, "Christians in the Public Square: How Far Should Evangelicals Go in the Creation-Evolution Debate?" ABR Staff member Henry Smith responds.

Preview of the Summer 2013 Issue of Bible and Spade 9/12/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The Summer 2013 issue of Bible and Spade will soon be delivered to subscribers and members.

Affirming Inerrancy 9/11/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The most foundational doctrine of the Christian faith is the Doctrine of Scripture, for in the pages of Holy Scripture we find the revelation of God concerning Himself and His glorious Son, Jesus Christ. All of Christian doctrine is found in the pages of Scripture, and thus it is our absolute foundation of knowledge and truth. This doctrine continues to be under assault from within the ranks of the Church, and of course, by those outside the faith. It has become fashionable these days for many professing evangelicals to assert that traditional notions of inerrancy are indefensible and outdated. They go to great efforts to impugn the inerrancy of Scripture, but somehow try to logically hold onto the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The ABR staff believes these efforts undermine the very basis and content of the Gospel message. We would like to take this opportunity to affirm our commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture...

Canaanite Child Sacrifice and Abortion: A Powerful DVD 7/30/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Old Testament passages referring to pagan child sacrifice are numerous and dreadful. The Israelites, delivered from the bondage of Egypt by the mighty hand of Yahweh, the Lord of heaven and earth, did not simply engage in idolatry. They were guilty of adopting the ghastly Canaanite practice of child sacrifice.

Victory at Ai: Archaeology and Joshua 7-8 on DVD 7/3/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

"Ai is simply an embarrassment to every view of the conquest that takes the biblical and archaeological evidence seriously." This is what Bible critics have been saying for decades about the Israelite battle at Ai in Joshua 7-8...

A Preview of the Spring 2013 Issue of Bible and Spade 6/25/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The Spring 2013 issue of Bible and Spade will soon be delivered to subscribers and members...

Jericho on the History Channel Special "The Bible" 3/7/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

On Sunday March 10, the History Channel will air Part Two of the five-part series, "The Bible". Last week's episode ended with a preview of Joshua and the Israelites planning to attack the Canaanite city of Jericho...

A Preview of the Winter 2013 Issue of Bible and Spade 2/13/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The Winter 2013 issue of Bible and Spade will soon be delivered to subscribers and members.

Genocide in Canaan? Part II 2/6/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR has conducted extensive research on the historicity of the Conquest narratives of the Old Testament. Regularly, we receive inquiries about the moral and theological dimensions of these events. Committed Christians are often perplexed about how to answer objections posed by skeptics. Those self-same skeptics often contact ABR, railing against God because of these events recorded in Scripture. This article seeks, in part, to deal with some of these issues by interacting with an article published in the book: "The Impossibility of God". Part II is found here.

Unmasked Evil From the Modern Day Cult of Molech 2/1/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Before the Israelites were preparing to enter into the land of Canaan, the Lord strongly warned them not to get ensnared in the idolatrous practices of the indigenous Canaanites.

Genocide in Canaan? Part I 2/1/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR has conducted extensive research on the historicity of the Conquest narratives of the Old Testament. Regularly, we receive inquiries about the moral and theological dimensions of these events. Committed Christians are often perplexed about how to answer objections posed by skeptics. Those self-same skeptics often contact ABR, railing against God because of these events recorded in Scripture. This article seeks, in part, to deal with some of these issues by interacting with an article published in the book: "The Impossibility of God".

The Battle Continues: Won't You Join Us? 12/14/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

In June 2008, the Lord graciously reopened the doors for The Associates for Biblical Research to once again begin excavating at Khirbet el-Maqatir, Israel. This site has credible archaeological and geographical evidence to be correlated with the city of Ai, found in the momentous, redemptive-historical events of Joshua 7-8. A team of ABR staff and volunteers has traveled to Israel in 2009 through 2012 to perform further excavations at our site.

Take An Online Course: Archaeology and the Bible 12/11/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Associates for Biblical Research and God's Bible School & College (a regionally-accredited college in Cincinnati, Ohio) are teaming up to offer a for-credit college course in Archaeology this Winter/Spring.

A Sneak Preview of the Fall 2012 Issue of Bible and Spade 11/20/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The Fall 2012 issue of Bible and Spade will soon be delivered to subscribers and members.

Revisiting Inerrancy Video Discussion 10/16/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Assaults on the inerrancy of Scripture continue from within the church itself. This video panel discussion, led by Dr. Albert Mohler, delves into this all important subject.

Brief Reflections on the So-Called "Jesus Wife" Fragment 9/24/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

A Harvard study on a papyrus fragment apparently making mention of Jesus and a "wife" was recently published. ABR Director of Development, Henry Smith, writes this brief commentary for ABR supporters and web visitors.

A New Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 8/9/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

A new, free online publication has now become available for Christians interested in more advanced Old Testament study, "The Journal for the Evangelical Study of the Old Testament."

A Sneak Preview of the Summer 2012 Issue of Bible and Spade 7/10/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The Summer 2012 issue of Bible and Spade will soon be delivered to subscribers and members.

Sadness over Saul 3/19/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

In the Summer of 2007, I traveled to Israel for the first time...

Archaeology and the Bible 3/7/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR Director of Development Henry Smith appears on the "Mark Daniels Show" from WFIL AM 560 in Philadelphia.

Secular "Ethicists" Endorse After-Birth Abortion: Another Version of Modern Day Child Sacrifice 3/5/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

A report from the so-called "Journal of Medical Ethics" has caused quite an uproar across the web. The authors of this report argue that "what we call ‘after-birth abortion’ (killing a newborn) should be permissible in all the cases where abortion is, including cases where the newborn is not disabled."

Join ABR on the Dig in Israel 1/30/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The location of Joshua's Ai has been a matter of mystery and controversy since the beginnings of archaeological research in Israel. Scholars have concluded that the location of Joshua’s Ai is at et-Tell. They have also used this conclusion to discredit the Biblical account of Joshua 7-8 because there is no evidence of occupation at et-Tell during the time of Joshua. We believe they are incorrect, not the Bible.

King David: Man or Myth? 1/19/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

King David is portrayed as a "King Arthur" type of mythological figure by many Bible skeptics. This attitude not only reveals a presuppositional bias against the Bible, it also ignores archaeological discoveries that support the portrayal of David and his kingdom in the Biblical accounts.

What is Bible and Spade Magazine? 1/16/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

No other publication captures the truth of the Bible like ABR’s Bible and Spade. A one-of-a-kind magazine that transforms the Bible into a living world with its amazing full-color photos, diagrams, graphics, maps and articles written by ABR staff and other authorities in the field.

Child Sacrifice and Abortion: A Preview of the Winter 2012 issue of Bible and Spade 12/29/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The Winter 2012 issue of Bible and Spade may be the most important issue we have ever produced. It is dedicated to the subject of child sacrifice in the ancient world and Israel, and modern day abortion. In conjunction with the release of this issue, ABR will also be posting online articles to supplement Bible and Spade. In addition, ABR is offering the "180" DVD, featuring Ray Comfort. This 33 minute video documents discussions with 8 individuals who are pro-abortion. With impeccable logic and grace, Mr. Comfort helps these folks change their minds about modern day child sacrifice taking place in abortion clinics all across our land. We pray that this DVD, Bible and Spade, and our online articles will help change hearts and minds on this critically important subject.

The Search for Joshua's Ai: Digging in Israel with ABR 10/18/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

"Ai is simply an embarrassment to every view of the conquest that takes the biblical and archaeological evidence seriously." Or at least, that is what many of the critics say...

WBPH TV 60 Interview with ABR's Henry Smith 9/23/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR Director of Development Henry Smith, appears as a guest on WBPH TV-60 on September 22, 2011.

WBPH TV 60 Interview with ABR's Henry Smith 9/22/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR Director of Development Henry Smith, appears as a guest on WBPH TV-60 on August 20, 2010.

"The Genesis Flood" Celebrates its 50th Anniversary 9/16/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Over 50 years ago, Henry Morris and John Whitcomb joined together to write a controversial book that sparked dialogue and debate on Darwin and Jesus, science and the Bible, evolution and creation—culminating in what would later be called the birth of the modern creation science movement. This seminal work defined the science and Bible debate in the 20th century. If Genesis is true, then the Flood and its after-effects must explain most stratigraphic and fossil evidence. Drs. Morris and Whitcomb brought their scientific and theological expertise to bear on the question of the biblical account of a worldwide flood and how it aligns with earth’s history written in the stones.

WBPH TV 60 Interview with ABR's Henry Smith 9/1/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR Director of Development Henry Smith, appears as a guest on WBPH TV-60 on March 29, 2010.

Fall of Jericho: DVD 8/18/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The fall of Jericho is a well-known story, fascinating children and adults alike. But what really happened there thousands of years ago? Did God work a miracle to bring down the walls of Jericho as the Bible says? The answers, previously buried under rubble and dirt for three and a half millennia, have been uncovered in the past century of excavations at the site. The Fall of Jericho explores what really happened as Joshua and the Israelites experienced one of the Bible’s greatest military victories.

Israel Finkelstein Revises His Dating: Is the Indefatigable Minimalist Slipping? 5/25/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

During his presentation, Israel Finkelstein revised his dating, and stated that he was now dating the transition from Iron Age I to IIA to about 950 BC. This was momentous.

Monumental Misconceptions 5/20/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Recently, we received an email from a visitor named "Jenny". Jenny made a long list of claims about the Bible. Sadly, most people hold these views because of what they read on the internet or watch on TV. Many have been lied to by their unbelieving college professors and mentors. Some even learn these erroneous views about the Bible in Christian colleges and seminaries! In providing this rather long and detailed response, it is our hope that "Jenny" and others like her will seriously reconsider the authority of the Bible and its author, Yahweh, and the claims of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Part 2 4/22/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR Director of Development, Henry B. Smith Jr., discusses the Resurrection of Jesus and the Nazareth Inscription.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Part 1 4/20/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR Director of Development, Henry B. Smith Jr., discusses the Resurrection of Jesus.

The Effect of Human Sin on Apologetics and Archaeology (Part IV) 3/30/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR Director of Development, Henry Smith, explains the effect of unbelief on archaeological interpretations, and that the knowledge of God is found in all people. A brief discussion of the resurrection is included.

Failed Resuscitations 3/21/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

In recent days, my mind has been preoccupied with the plight of Western society, and specifically, the state of the Church at large in America. Several events have initiated this preoccupation and now converge to instigate this writing of this article. Within a period of just ten days, I had the following four experiences:

The Effect of Human Sin on Apologetics and Archaeology (Part Three) 3/15/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR Director of Development, Henry Smith, explains the effect of unbelief on archaeological interpretations, and that the knowledge of God is found in all people.

The Effect of Human Sin on Apologetics and Archaeology (Part II) 3/4/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR Director of Development, Henry Smith, explains the effect of unbelief on archaeological interpretations, and that the knowledge of God is found in all people.

The Effect of Human Sin on Apologetics and Archaeology (Part I) 2/24/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR Director of Development, Henry Smith, explains the effect of unbelief on archaeological interpretations, and that the knowledge of God is found in all people.

Christmas Reflections 12/9/2010 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14, KJV).

An Army of Straw Men: Responding to Ronald Hendel 8/16/2010 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

In the July/August 2010 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review, a disturbing and highly prejudicial, anti-Christian column was published. The main thrust of this article aims directly and antagonistically at Christian scholars who hold to any form of orthodoxy...

Search for and Discovery of Joshua's Ai 6/24/2010 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Please watch this four minute video created by ABR Volunteer Roy Crase from the 2010 Season at Khirbet el-Maqatir...

ABR Excavation Timelapse 6/9/2010 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Here are moving pictures from the 2010 season of The Search for Joshua's Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir. This video and accompanying music were produced by Nathan Lundquist. Many thanks to Nathan and his wife Whitney for this excellent video and for helping ABR on the Dig.

Interrupting Ehrman: Critiquing His Latest Polemic Against the Faith 2/4/2010 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The indefatigible skeptic is at it again...His most recent polemic is entitled: Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (and Why We Don't Know About Them). Easily identified and refuted by committed Christian scholars and apologists who take Biblical authority seriously, this book targets the unsuspecting layman in the pew. And THAT makes it worth critiquing...

Biblical Reflections on the Earthquake in Haiti 1/15/2010 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The mission of the Associates for Biblical Research is primarily geared toward the defense of the reliability, authority and inerrancy of God's Word, the Holy Scriptures. A deeply tragic natural disaster such as the earthquake in Haiti is a time of serious reflection for all who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is a time of thoughtful prayer, action to help those in need, and a time to think rightly about the condition of the world.

40th Anniversary Issue of Bible and Spade 10/29/2009 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Dr. David Livingston has devoted his life to teaching the Word of God and upholding and defending the Bible. He has been an inspiration to laymen and scholars alike and to all those who love the Bible, the Word of the living God...

Carbon 14 Dating Controversy in the Iron Age Period 6/16/2009 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Carbon-14 dating is the center of debate as it pertains to dating from the Iron Age period. The date of the transition from the archaeological period known as Iron Age I to Iron Age IIa is a particularly hotly disputed topic...

Ken Ham at the ABR Banquet 5/18/2009 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

On Thursday May 14, 2009, Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis Ministries spoke at the Associates for Biblical Research annual fundraising banquet...

Easter Readings 3/29/2009 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

It is inevitable...predictable...almost certain. Each year, some unbelieving scholar or entertainer seemingly comes out of nowhere with an erroneous theory that supposedly debunks the historical and bodily resurrection of the Son of God. The Da Vinci Code, the Gospel of Judas, Bloodline, The Jesus Family Tomb, liberal theologians, and even some so-called 'evangelical' scholars...on and on the list goes of those who, year after year after year, fecklessly attack the central doctrine of the Christian faith.

Video of "Hope" (Hatikvah) 3/2/2009 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

A Photo-Video montage of pictures taken by ABR supporter Greg Gulbrandsen at The Temple Institute, The Temple Mount, and Jerusalem...set to Music and Inspiration. Taken during the Temple Mount Sifting Project and Jerusalem Study Tour in 2008.

Incomprehensible 12/7/2008 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

As the pages of redemptive history unfold, they reach a culmination in the early pages of the Gospels, at the birth of Jesus Christ, the mysterious incarnation of the Lord of Glory...

ABR Conference at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri 10/7/2008 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Over 500 students attended the kickoff presentation of the Faith Forum series at Ozark Christian College on Tuesday morning 9/30/08.

Encouraged by Ozark 10/7/2008 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Many of us are gravely concerned about the overly experientially oriented and anti-intellectual tendencies of the modern church, which often avoids dealing with difficult issues, in-depth theology, and apologetics. Seeing students being trained with a respect for the Word of God encouraged myself and the rest of the ABR staff...

Greek Patriarch comments on John 1:1 9/10/2008 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Biblical Illiteracy 9/9/2008 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

One of the most serious problems facing the Church in the 21st century is the problem of Biblical illiteracy. Simply put, most professing Christians do not possess a sound and coherent understanding of the Bible...

The Genesis Flood: An Interpretive Key to the Past 7/30/2008 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

For centuries, the Biblical Flood described in chapters 6–8 in the book of Genesis was considered global, cataclysmic and historical. Since the late 18th century, however, the historicity of the Flood has come under constant attack, and is now rejected as a fable by most people in Western societies...

Cosmic and Universal Death From Adam's Fall 5/15/2008 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Paul’s theological treatise in the epistle to the Romans clearly teaches that the animal kingdom and the entire universe experienced a universal death sentence at the time of Adam’s fall in Genesis 3...

Love God with All Your Mind! 1/28/2008 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

One of the most troubling characteristics of today’s Western Christian church is the susceptibility of its members to emotional manipulation by charismatic leaders and to secular arguments and ideas...

The Ash Heap of History 9/5/2007 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Apologetic ministries like ABR must work hard to demonstrate that unbiblical theories about the Bible need to be refuted and placed on the ash heap of history.

Three Woes! 8/15/2007 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The center of Jesus' Galilean ministry was an area now called the "evangelical triangle." At the points of this triangle were the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum...

Why Do We Need ABR? 4/4/2007 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Throughout the history of the Church, Christian apologists have worked diligently to respond to heresies within the Church and attacks from outside the Church... Apologists such as Aquinas, C.S. Lewis and van Til developed arguments and systems to respond to the issues of their day...

It Feels Like 1960! 11/11/2006 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The staff of ABR stands with only a few in defending the Biblical record with archaeological research and fieldwork. Will the church go on the offensive, taking back the history of the Bible and refuting claims that undermine its accuracy...

Biblical Archaeology: Eternal Implications 4/26/2006 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The absolute authority of the Bible as God’s Word is being undermined as never before. The world’s need for a Savior is grounded in history. Undermine and destroy that history, and you make the Gospel an ultimately meaningless invention of mankind...

The Doctrine of God and the Philosophical Problem of Evil 2/20/2006 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The problem of evil has been debated over the long centuries, and the debate still rages on today. I have found what I believe to be a consistent error in writings related to the problem of evil. This error is related to the doctrine of God, and particularly, the doctrines of omnipotence and omniscience...

The Moral Argument for the God of the Bible 1/23/2006 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Where does the authority of the absolute moral principle come from?…The question concerns the authority of that principle: why should we give to it the enormous respect which we indeed do give to it? Ultimately, only two kinds of answers are possible: the source of absolute moral authority is either personal or impersonal. Consider first the latter possibility...

Noah's Ark: The True Story? 11/6/2005 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Aired on TLC on 12/23/04, and many times subsequently, Noah's Ark: The True Story is fairly typical of television programs that depict the Noachian Deluge. The Biblical account is reduced to a local flood in Mesopotamia, while Noah is depicted not as the righteous man of God, but a Sumerian beer trader earning a living on the Euphrates River...

What is a Worldview? 11/3/2005 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

A worldview consists of a series of assumptions/presuppositions that a person holds about reality. A worldview, consciously or subconsciously, affects the way a person evaluates every aspect of reality. Every person adheres to some sort of worldview...