Research Articles: General Apologetics

Articles dealing with apologetic matters that have a bearing on Biblical archaeology and the authority, reliability and inerrancy of Scripture.

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Crucifixion History and Practice 11/14/2018 - by Michael J. Caba

"...why was the crucifixion of Christ viewed by some as nonsense but by others as profound wisdom? Further, to the modern reader who is far removed from the crucifixion of Christ, doesn’t the whole business often seem to be, honestly, quite irrelevant in any case?"

Digging for Truth-Episode 20: Relating the Bible to Archaeology 11/6/2018 - by Lien Voong

Join Dr. Scott Stripling, Scott Lanser and Henry Smith in a round table discussion about the relationship between archaeology and the Bible. Topics of discussion include: worldview paradigms, a level playing field, and the Bible as an ancient text.

Digging for Truth-Episode 16: Facts vs. Faith 8/27/2018 - by Lien Voong

Many skeptics try to separate the realms of fact from the realm of faith. Watch as Scott Lanser and Henry Smith discuss this philosophical problem in the culture and its impact on the Church.

Digging for Truth-Episode Nine: The Problem of Evil and God's Existence 6/4/2018 - by Henry B Smith Jr MA MAR

Many people claim that the evil and suffering that exist in the world are incompatible with the God revealed in the Bible. Join co-host Henry Smith and Pastor Mannie Szochet as we discuss this delicate and deep subject.

Digging for Truth-Episode Eight: The Moral Argument for God's Existence 5/11/2018 - by Henry B Smith Jr MA MAR

Join co-host Henry Smith along with special guest Pastor Mannie Szochet as we discuss the moral argument for the existence of God.

From One Evangelist to Another 12/12/2017 - by Bryan Windle

It must have been an awesome sight: the Judean darkness shattered by celestial glory and an angel of the Lord proclaiming the birth of the Messiah. The message was certainly momentous, and the heavenly declaration befitting a heavenly King. The recipients, however, were not necessarily those we would expect. Shepherds?!?...

Distant Memories of Eternal Truth 10/27/2017 - by Rob Sullivan

A few years back, my sister and brother-in-law invited me to spend a few days with them on vacation up in the Adirondacks. It was summertime...

Is Learning Apologetics Like Fiddling While Rome Burns? 9/29/2017 - by Ted Wright MA

Today it is easy to see why many Christians may be discouraged and feel the need to “circle the wagons,” – to not see the need to cultivate a life of the mind, including learning apologetic arguments for Christianity, or even learning anything new at all...

App Review: iWitness Biblical Archaeology 8/22/2017 - by Bryan Windle

Imagine you’re sitting at the desk of a renowned biblical archaeologist. In front of you are his field notes and several important artifacts relating to biblical people, places and events. You now have the opportunity to investigate the archaeological evidence for the reliability of the Bible first-hand in a tangible way...

Truth and Reality at Christmas 12/17/2016 - by Kristen Davis

Some people claim, "Christianity doesn’t hinge on the truth about the stories about the birth of Jesus..."

Go to the Ant 8/31/2016 - by Rob Sullivan

Ah—summertime. I love summertime. It’s a time for baseball and picnics. It’s a time for hiking and going away to camp. And if you are a kid—it’s a time for no school. Yee haw! Vacations are just around the corner…and it’s a time for bugs. Yuk!

What It Takes to Believe 6/22/2016 - by Eugene H Merrill PhD

Those of us who work in the arena of apologetics and polemics are often bemused by the question, “How is it, in the face of clear archaeological and literary corroborative evidence of the historicity of the Old Testament as now exists from the ancient Near Eastern world, that sceptics can continue to embrace the post-Enlightenment mindset that biblical accounts of such events, precisely because they come from a ‘religious’ or ‘theological book,’ must be disqualified as reliable witnesses to the past?”

The Bible as a Tool in Archaeology 4/23/2015 - by Joel Kramer

I've spent the last eight years here in Jerusalem studying Biblical Archaeology. When I began, I assumed I'd be studying Archaeology in a way that affirmed the Bible and was in agreement with its teachings. After all, it is called Biblical Archaeology! However, I soon came to understand that although the word "Biblical" is part of its name, the field is secular and always has been.

The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Part 2 4/20/2014 - by Gary R Gromacki PhD

“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty” (1 Cor 15:14). For Christians the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the foundation of our faith. Apart from the resurrection, there is no gospel, no good news for a despairing world.

The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Part 1 4/14/2014 - by Gary R Gromacki PhD

INTRODUCTION: Something happened over 1,970 years ago that changed the course of world history. This event turned men of fear into men of faith. This event explains the existence of the Church and changes in the lives of millions of believers. It is an event that Christians remember each Sunday as they gather together for worship. This event is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Is It Time to Throw Away Your Bible?: The Reliability of Old Testament Texts and Predictive Prophecy 4/4/2014 - by ABR Staff

We presently live in a culture of great skepticism and confusion. Many scholars, scientists, historians and forces within culture believe the Bible is an outdated, irrelevant book, filled with fables, stories, and mythological constructs that are not based on reality. Members of the ABR staff gathered together in a roundtable discussion to talk about some of the criticisms presently being leveled against the Bible. In this 11 part series (on a 2 DVD set), find out why you can trust the Bible.

Biblical Archaeology in 2013 1/13/2014 - by Brian Janeway PhD (c)

The Meetings of the American Schools of Oriental Research, or ASOR, took place in the city of Baltimore, MD this past November. For those unfamiliar with this organization, it is comprised of archaeologists and scholars who make the “lands of the Bible” the focus of their research and investigations.

THEY’RE BAAAAACK!: The American Atheists' Christmas Billboard 2013 12/5/2013 - by Gordon Franz MA

During the Christmas season of 2010 there was a billboard in New Jersey on one of the approaches to the Lincoln Tunnel to New York City. It had three wise men riding their camels in the starlit night toward an open-sided shelter with a gabled thatched roof next to a couple of palm trees; a donkey was tied to the stall, a bright star overhead, and Mary and Joseph watching over the new-born Baby Jesus. Then I saw the words: “You KNOW it’s a Myth. This Season, Celebrate REASON!” It was signed by the American Atheists and said they were “Reasonable since 1963.” Well, they’re baaaack! This Christmas season the same signs have been spotted in Sacramento, California.

A Biblical Model of Human Dignity: Based on the Image of God and the Incarnation 10/23/2013 - by John Roskoski PhD

The foundational source of Human Dignity, the intrinsic worth of a person, has been an issue within Theology and Philosophy for thousands of years. While the concept of a living person having a basic worth is common among societies and cultures, the metaphysical or underlying source of this dignity, or worth, has always been debated.

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.

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...

Is It Time to Throw Away Your Bible? A Roundtable Discussion: "Don't We Just Need 'Faith'?" 8/28/2013 - by ABR Staff

We presently live in a culture of great skepticism and confusion. Many scholars, scientists, historians and forces within culture believe the Bible is an outdated, irrelevant book, filled with fables, stories, and mythological constructs that are not based on reality. Members of the ABR staff gathered together in a roundtable discussion to talk about some of the criticisms presently being leveled against the Bible. In this 11 part series (on a 2 DVD set), find out why you can trust the Bible.

"Reinventing Jesus": Book Review 5/10/2013 - by Brian Janeway PhD

As one who spends most of his time investigating the archaeology of the Old Testament, "Reinventing Jesus: How Contemporary Skeptics Miss the Real Jesus and Mislead Popular Culture" is a much appreciated primer on the historical evidence for the New Testament. It also functions as a comprehensive presentation and refutation of the major objections commonly heard in today’s post-modern landscape...

The Great Isaiah Scroll and the Original Bible: An Interview with Dr. Peter Flint 4/17/2013 - by John D Barry

For over forty years, the Great Isaiah Scroll was under lock and key, deep underground in Jerusalem. In 2008, for the 60th anniversary of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery, the Israel Antiquities Authority displayed the scroll.

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.

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 Place of Textual Updating in an Inerrant View of Scripture: Part Three 11/1/2012 - by Michael Grisanti PhD

INERRANCY, INSPIRATION AND THE OT CANON: THE PLACE OF TEXTUAL UPDATING IN AN INERRANT VIEW OF SCRIPTURE. In part one of this article, Dr. Grisanti spelled out some of the foundational definitions and conceptions of inspiration and canonicity. In part two, the discussion turned to some potential examples of inspired textual updating. Part three engages with potential objections to Dr. Grisanti's thesis.

The Place of Textual Updating in an Inerrant View of Scripture: Part Two 10/24/2012 - by Michael Grisanti PhD

In part one of this article, Dr. Grisanti spelled out some of the foundational definitions and conceptions of inspiration and canonicity. In part two, the discussion turns to some potential examples of inspired textual updating.

The Place of Textual Updating in an Inerrant View of Scripture: Part One 10/22/2012 - by Michael Grisanti PhD

INERRANCY, INSPIRATION AND THE OT CANON: THE PLACE OF TEXTUAL UPDATING IN AN INERRANT VIEW OF SCRIPTURE. For good reason, there are often strong emotions attached to the issues of inspiration, inerrancy, the autographa, and the canon. This article does not seek to overturn a conservative or evangelical understanding of the biblical doctrine of inspiration and inerrancy. I wholeheartedly endorse the commonly held evangelical view of both theological concepts and do not question that God superintended the entire process of inscripturation with the result that the OT Scriptures were God-breathed. Those Scriptures are without error, infallible, and fully reliable.

Coming and Going: Doors and Doorways in the Biblical World 10/19/2012 - by Gary Byers MA

As a pastor in Frederick, Maryland for almost two decades, I visited thousands of homes in the community. In order to earn the right to share my message with those in each house, I soon learned the importance of being able to make a connection with them. One of the ways I learned to do that was to pay attention to the things that were visibIe in their home and attempt to find common ground about it. Redskins gear was an easy connection for me, Dallas Cowboy stuff was not!

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.

The Old Was Once New 10/11/2012 - by Rick Lanser MDiv

Have new artifacts and relics been discovered which "rock the foundation of Christianity"? inquires an ABR web visitor named Mary.

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."

400 Prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament 7/27/2012 - by Paul Humber MDiv

The Lord Jesus Christ made it very clear that the Old Testament spoke of Him, stating: “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me” (Jn 5:39). My recently published book, "400+ Prophecies, Appearances, or Foreshadowings of Christ in the Tanakh (Old Testament)," is a conscientious effort to take Jesus at His Word and to discover Him in pages of the Old Testament.

Book Review: From Abraham to Paul: A Biblical Chronology: Part II 7/12/2012 - by Rodger C. Young MA

Book review: From Abraham to Paul: A Biblical Chronology, by Andrew E. Steinmann. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2011. Hardback, 421 + xxxviii pages. Part II.

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.

Book Review: From Abraham to Paul: A Biblical Chronology: Part I 7/9/2012 - by Rodger C. Young MA

Book review: From Abraham to Paul: A Biblical Chronology, by Andrew E. Steinmann. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2011. Hardback, 421 + xxxviii pages.

Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Ancient Times 5/17/2012 - by Gordon Franz MA

On display at the Franklin Institute from May 12 to October 14, 2012. ABR Staff Archaeologist Gordon Franz provides commentary and a free study guide from a Christian perspective.

Answering the Critics: Part Four with Scott Lanser 4/9/2012 - by Scott Lanser MA

ABR Executive Director, Scott Lanser discusses some of the broader issues of worldview and postmodernism as it relates to the science of archaeology and the study of the Bible. Included is a brief discussion concerning the Exodus, David, Solomon, and the domestication of camels. Includes a Q&A session.

Answering the Critics: Part Three with Scott Lanser 4/6/2012 - by Scott Lanser MA

ABR Executive Director, Scott Lanser discusses some of the broader issues of worldview and postmodernism as it relates to the science of archaeology and the study of the Bible. Included is a brief discussion concerning the Exodus, David, Solomon, and the domestication of camels.

Answering the Critics: Part Two with Scott Lanser 3/20/2012 - by Scott Lanser MA

ABR Executive Director, Scott Lanser discusses some of the broader issues of worldview and postmodernism as it relates to the science of archaeology and the study of the Bible.

Answering the Critics: Part One with Scott Lanser 3/5/2012 - by Scott Lanser MA

ABR Executive Director, Scott Lanser discusses some of the broader issues of worldview and postmodernism as it relates to the science of archaeology and the study of the Bible.

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."

Review of "The Human Faces of God" by Thom Stark 3/2/2012 - by Mike Warren MA JD

Michael Warren reviews the book, "The Human Faces of God", by Thom Stark. Warren's incisive analysis demolishes typical arguments advanced against the Bible and the Christian Faith.

The Role of the Septuagint in the Transmission of the Scriptures 2/17/2012 - by Michael S Heiser PhD

Christians who have heard of the Septuagint understand it as the Greek translation of the Hebrew OT. That’s an accurate assessment in simplest terms, but the Septuagint as we know it has a lengthy, complex history. Knowing a bit about that history can give us an appreciation for the important role played by the Septuagint in the transmission of the OT Scriptures and how we should look at our own translations.

The Power of Presuppositions 1/19/2012 - by Scott Lanser MA

Every day we make decisions based upon our assumptions concerning truth. Consider the popular yet profoundly erroneous assumptions people make today concerning ultimate realities:

Hittites and Hethites: A Proposed Solution to an Etymological Conundrum 11/8/2011 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

"The presence of Hittites in the narratives of Israelite beginnings is thus rhetorical and ideological rather than historical.” -John Van Seters. The appearance of the term "Hittites" in English Bible translations has been an apologetic, archaeological and historical problem for quite some time. Many claim that references to the Hittites in the Old Testament are either errors or fictional anachronisms. In this important article, Dr. Bryant Wood proposes that the solution to this problem is a linguistic one. Based on a detailed assessment of the original Hebrew text, and an evaluation of the archaeological evidence pertaining to the Hittite and neo-Hittite kingdoms, Dr. Wood concludes our English translations require correction. Once this is accomplished, we once again find the Bible is accurate and trustworthy...

The Physical Resurrection a Historical Fact: Part Three 8/18/2011 - by Rene Lopez PhD

Dr. Rene' Lopez, author of the book, The Jesus Family Tomb Examined: Did Jesus Rise Physically?, has graciously granted permission to ABR to publish Chapter 10 of this important and well-researched book. This is the third part of a three part online article. Concerning this book, Dr. Darrell Bock writes: "This work by Rene A. Lopez covers the issues ranging from every angle: archeological, historical, and theological. Rene has gone through the many discussions these claims have generated, giving them a close look. He is well equipped to guide one through the myriad of questions these claims have raised. This is the book to get on the Jesus Tomb claims. In it, you will be able to assess what the discussion is about. I commend the book with enthusiasm. I think you will discover a great deal in the process."

The Physical Resurrection a Historical Fact: Part Two 8/8/2011 - by Rene Lopez PhD

Dr. Rene' Lopez, author of the book, The Jesus Family Tomb Examined: Did Jesus Rise Physically?, has graciously granted permission to ABR to publish Chapter 10 of this important and well-researched book. This is the second part of a three part online article. Concerning this book, Dr. Darrell Bock writes: "This work by Rene A. Lopez covers the issues ranging from every angle: archeological, historical, and theological. Rene has gone through the many discussions these claims have generated, giving them a close look. He is well equipped to guide one through the myriad of questions these claims have raised. This is the book to get on the Jesus Tomb claims. In it, you will be able to assess what the discussion is about. I commend the book with enthusiasm. I think you will discover a great deal in the process."

The Physical Resurrection a Historical Fact: Part One 8/4/2011 - by Rene Lopez PhD

Dr. Rene' Lopez, author of the book, The Jesus Family Tomb Examined: Did Jesus Rise Physically?, has graciously granted permission to ABR to publish Chapter 10 of this important and well-researched book. This is the first part of a three part online article. Concerning this book, Dr. Darrell Bock writes: "This work by Rene A. Lopez covers the issues ranging from every angle: archeological, historical, and theological. Rene has gone through the many discussions these claims have generated, giving them a close look. He is well equipped to guide one through the myriad of questions these claims have raised. This is the book to get on the Jesus Tomb claims. In it, you will be able to assess what the discussion is about. I commend the book with enthusiasm. I think you will discover a great deal in the process."

Tota Scriptura 7/8/2011 - by RC Sproul PhD

In centuries past, the Church was faced with the important task of recognizing which books belong in the Bible. The Bible itself is not a single book but a collection of many individual books. What the Church sought to establish was what we call the canon of sacred Scripture. The word canon comes from a Greek word that means “standard or measuring rod.” So the canon of sacred Scripture delineates the standard that the Church used in receiving the Word of God. As is often the case, it is the work of heretics that forces the Church to define her doctrines with greater and greater precision.

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 Fallacy of Historical Reconstructionism: ‘Blind Faith’ Actually Belongs to the Atheists 5/18/2011 - by Doug Petrovich ThM MA

We recently received a note from "Cathy", a self-proclaimed atheist.

Armchair Archaeology and the New Atheism 4/8/2011 - by Dewayne Bryant MA

Archaeology has an air of mystery about it. Whenever the subject is brought up, many people instinctively think of the iconic Indiana Jones and his adventures on the silver screen. Others think of buried treasure or exotic locations. In the early days of archaeology, European travelers could be seen out in the field in Victorian garb, sitting under lace umbrellas and sipping tea from fine china. The wealthy traveled with all the fineries of home, surveying the scene while native workers toiled under the hot Middle Eastern Sun. There was much less of the scientific rigor of modern archaeology. It was sometimes little more than glorified treasure hunting. Today there is much more to the discipline than romantic visions of danger, intrigue, and golden fortunes.

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.

The Influence of the Ancient Near East on the Book of Genesis 3/24/2011 - by Rick Lanser MDiv

At many Bible colleges and seminaries today, students are told to understand the book of Genesis as typical ancient Near Eastern (ANE) literature, sharing many features in common with them. Representative of scholars teaching this view is John H. Walton of Wheaton College. He proposes that, following a pattern scholars detect in ANE literature, Genesis 1 presents a cosmology that bypasses entirely the creation of the initial raw materials of the universe. Instead, it, regards them as preexistent, with their origin never addressed.

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.

Great Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology: The Rosetta Stone 3/4/2011 - by Gary Byers MA

Traveling with the French army when Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798 were 175 scientists. They studied known sites as well as previously unknown places.

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.

Limitations in Biblical Archaeology 10/15/2010 - by Gary Byers MA

Gary Byers briefly explains limitations in archaeology in this video clip.

The Documentary Hypothesis 9/24/2010 - by Duane Garrett

The time has long passed for scholars of every theological persuasion to recognize that the Graf-Wellhausen theory, as a starting point for continued research, is dead. The Documentary Hypothesis and the arguments that support it have been effectively demolished by scholars from many different theological perspectives and areas of expertise. Even so, the ghost of Wellhausen hovers over Old Testament studies and symposiums like a thick fog, adding nothing of substance but effectively obscuring vision. Although actually incompatible with form-critical and archaeology-based studies, the Documentary Hypothesis has managed to remain the mainstay of critical orthodoxy. One wonders if we will ever return to the day when discussions of Genesis will not be stilted by interminable references to P and J. There are indications that such a day is coming. Many scholars are exploring the inadequacies of the Documentary Hypothesis and looking toward new models for explaining the Pentateuch.

Inspiration: The Oracles of God 9/16/2010 - by Erich D Schwartz

The Oracles “To them were entrusted the oracles of God” (Rom 3:2, author’s translation, as are all Scripture quotations henceforth).

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...

Jesus Christ on The Inerrancy of Scripture 8/10/2010 - by David Livingston PhD

There is considerable debate these days concerning the inerrancy of Scripture. The authority of God’s Word is the main issue. But, if one yields to the authority of Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach), he must, in turn, yield to Christ’s view of Scripture itself. Anyone and everyone who claims to be a Christian (a believer under the authority of Christ) must hold to the same view He did!

The Curious History of the “Editor” in Biblical Criticism 7/1/2010 - by Clyde E. Billington PhD

A review of The Edited Bible, by John Van Seters (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2006. This recent book by John Van Seters should have a revolutionary impact on the critical study of the Bible, particularly on the study of the Pentateuch/ Hexateuch in the OT.

Biblical Archaeology in 2010: Going Strong Still! 6/10/2010 - by Brian Janeway PhD (c)

ASOR's annual meetings are its focal event of the year. Approximately 750 scholars, students, and interested members of the public come together for three intensive days of academic lectures, poster presentations, business meetings, evening receptions, and general conversation. This past year they were held in New Orleans, Louisiana. Some of the sessions are directly related to the Bible; for example two sessions on the exciting new finds at Khirbet Qeiyafa, which are associated with the reign of King David...

From The Mailbox 3/18/2010 - by Rick Lanser MDiv

We frequently find that skeptics and atheists visit our website, read something that sets them off, and post a diatribe to the Comments area. Most of the time these remarks are never published, since they represent emotional outbursts rather than an honest wrestling with facts. But once in a while, even if we do not make the comments public, we nevertheless send a personal reply to the writer...

Death Before Adam? 2/26/2010 - by Austin Robbins DD

Despite all attempts to do so, there is no way to reconcile evolution and the Biblical account of Creation. Examining the theological basis of the Biblical Creation, Austin Robbins demonstrates there is simply no room for evolutionary thinking...

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...

Is Biblical Archaeology a 'Farce'? 11/22/2009 - by Rick Lanser MDiv

As ABR approaches it, so-called "biblical" archaeology is simply applying valid archaeological principles to the archaeology of the lands discussed by the biblical writers, without the anti-Bible preconceptional bias that taints the research of so many archaeologists. The "storybook" perception you mentioned is part and parcel with this unexamined anti-Bible bias, which gets in the way of impartially evaluating the Bible's truth-claims...

The Exodus Controversy 8/9/2009 - by Mario Seiglie

It seems that every year, especially around the spring Passover season when Jews and many Christians commemorate Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, newspapers and magazines publish articles questioning the validity of the Biblical account of the Exodus...

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...

Historical Narrative and Truth in the Bible 2/20/2009 - by Grant R Osborne PhD

We must work with the literary as well as the historical dimensions of Biblical narrative. They cannot be separated into isolated compartments...

Does it Really Matter What Albert Einstein Believed? 2/10/2009 - by Scott Lanser MA

We reason and we quote famous people, but we never should put our faith in the opinions of men. They will always fail. But God and His word in the Bible will never fail...

Of Facts and Faith II 11/14/2008 - by Scott Lanser MA

The Bible is far more a history text than it is a science text, but I have never doubted that where it touched on science that is was factual…and again, true. And where it dealt with history, I understood that history to be factual…and thereby truthful...

Can a Person Believe in Both God and Evolution? 8/29/2008 - by Daryl Witmer

In order to do so, one must circumvent the traditional definition of the term ‘God’ or ‘evolution’ or both. Which makes taking this position a mistake...

Evidence for Inerrancy from an Unexpected Source: OT Chronology 8/15/2008 - by Rodger C. Young MA

Theories of an errant Scripture cannot explain the accuracy of the OT chronologies. The authenticity of approximately 124 exact statistics in six major books of the Bible, covering more than 400 years of history, is exactly what would be expected if the doctrine of inerrancy is true and all doctrines of limited inspiration that assume errors in the historical statements of Scripture are false...

Calling Science's Bluff: A Review of 'The Devil's Delusion' by David Berlinsky 8/12/2008 - by Brian Janeway PhD

Neo-Darwinists and atheists of all stripes ignore this book at their peril, particularly polemicists such as Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens and their ilk who have recently published scathing critiques of religious belief in general and Christian belief in particular...

Responding to a Skeptic 6/25/2008 - by Scott Lanser MA

You must be joking! The BIBLE?

Of Testimonies and Models 6/24/2008 - by Rick Lanser MDiv

"I'll believe it when I see it!" How often have we heard those words? There are certain subjects that trigger in us an unwillingness to accept what others say. Over the years each of us has developed a penchant for taking some things at face value, while others cause us to demand extremely rigorous proofs before we will accept their factuality - if at all...

What is the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls? 5/21/2008 - by Will Varner PhD

The Dead Sea Scrolls have demonstrated that the Old Testament was accurately transmitted during this interval. In addition, they provide a wealth of information on the times leading up to, and during, the life of Christ...

From the Mailbag 4/20/2008 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

How should Christians react to the "consensus of experts" that there was no Exodus or Conquest as recorded in the Old Testament?

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...

Commit It to the Flames 1/2/2008 - by Scott Lanser MA

In spite of the perception of greatness among certain academics and philosophers, David Hume's reasoning is seriously flawed on a number of fronts. ...His philosophy too should be cast to the flames!

The Bible and Human Nature 12/19/2007 - by Rick Lanser MDiv

From what we know of human nature, it is virtually impossible to accept the premise that the moral precepts of the Bible were the invention of men...

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.

Does Biblical Archaeology Exist? 4/18/2007 - by Brian Janeway PhD (c)

It will come as news to Bible and Spade readers that, in fact, there is no Biblical Archaeology. From Ronald Hendel’s perspective, Biblical Archaeology and Santa Claus exist only in the imaginary world of the infantile or the untutored...

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...

Let the Evidence Speak 3/28/2007 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

As one schooled in the scientific method, it disturbs me that, in addition to the say-so of esteemed authority figures, many times opinions are driven by preconceived notions, received knowledge, arguments from silence or majority opinion...

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...

Relearning Old Lessons: Archaeologists Fail to Use Sound Reasoning 8/23/2006 - by Brian Janeway PhD (c)

This story is one that has been repeated time and again throughout more than a century of excavations in the Holy Land. It involves a tendency to make claims based upon incomplete evidence and fails to account for the principle that absence of evidence does not equal evidence of absence...

Missions of the Mind: Christianity's Colossal Failure to Win on the Home Front 7/5/2006 - by Steven Collins PhD

Our desire to put people under the hearing of the Gospel drives us to create missions strategies that reach around the globe, but at the same time we tend to bypass our responsibility "to contend for the faith" (Jude 3) in the midst of our own culture...

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...

Of Facts and Faith 11/14/2005 - by Rick Lanser MDiv

Is this really true: "One must look for facts in Science not truth. Truth is for religion and philosophy. One must not use science to validate or make a point to others that their religion is right because as I said science must search for facts not truth. Otherwise faith will blind your eye"...

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...

Dr. Wood's Archaeology 10/31/2005 - by Jim Carroll

The explicit use of unquestioned modernist and minimalist assumptions that preclude certain conclusions and interpretations of the evidence pervade the sciences in academia today. The details don’t matter – they can be ignored in favor of an explicit appeal to preconceived notions...

Faith, Fact and Voltaire 8/21/2005 - by Walter Pasedag

"If we would destroy the Christian religion, we must first of all destroy man's belief in the Bible." - Voltaire

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