What Is Bible Archeology.
Well, the most important point concerning Biblical Archaeology is archaeological findings from archaeological excavations and the studies concerning those artifacts and/or relics.
Biblical Archaeology may best be described as the scientific recovery and investigation of the material remains of past cultures that can illuminate the historical Biblical period. Such investigation takes various forms and includes the study of architecture, language, literature, art, pottery, implements, and numerous other examples of material culture that have survived. For more than a century, archaeologists working in the Near East have painstakingly uncovered the past; shedding dramatic new light on the texts of the Bible and making its pages come alive as never before in history. Some of the more exciting finds of recent years made world headlines and captured the attention of both scholars and the public. Examples of significant finds include the House of David inscription, the crucified man, a Galilean fishing boat, the Qumran Ostracon, and The Dead Sea scrollsjust to name a few. 1
In the scholarly circles, the terminology of biblical archaeology receives criticism as any archaeologist associated with a Biblical stance is usually marked as one who is looking for biblical supports rather than one who is searching solely for the truth that is revealed from an excavation.... theological bias is automatically assumed concerning the purpose and work of the Biblical archaeologist.
Vos and Free identify that there are two main functions of Bible archaeology, the illumination and the confirmation of the Bible 2 There are hundreds of internet sites that are dedicated to biblical archaeology from excavation opportunity to published results.3
"What archaeology cannot do, however, even at its best, is to prove the Bible in any senseeither by demonstrating that the events claimed by the biblical writers as central to the salvation history actually happened, much less by validating the theological inferences that are drawn from these events, whether ancient or modern. The notion that historical proofs can confirm, or even enhance, religious faith is a contradiction in terms."4
For those that are interested in biblical archaeology,
... before entering into the realm of studies and discussions of finds, it is best to leave your denomination or religion at home. Whether one enters the square to dig or whether one leads the excavation, those working side-by-side will always set aside their religion and denomination for the best interest of the excavation. Jews dig next to Christians, Muslims dig next to Jews, Catholics dig next to Methodists, Baptists dig next to Mormons. Even the noted biblical archaeologists do not infer that their religion or denomination has any place in the discussion concerning biblical archaeology or on the field.
1 http://www.tfba.org/
2 Archaeology and Bible History, Vos and Free, page 13.
3 http://www.preciousheart.net/Main_A...blical_Arch.htm
4 William G. Dever in The Anchor Bible Dictionary, Freedman, David Noel, ed., (New York: Doubleday) 1997, 1992 CD Rom Version.
