Don’t bet on it.
“For the skeptic, no disproof is available, for the fool, no disproof can end his foolishness”
-Anonymous
Anyway, this is a message I got from a Christian friend of mine after a heated argument we had over the Bible’s reliability.
I’ll write a response to it later. For now, enjoy!
“I recognize your question was asked in 2004 but I hope it’s not too late for me to answer.
It seems that you and I have this in common, I too like cold hard facts. And when I teach my
students about God, I like to also include some historical facts and some scientific facts, which
match the Bible. My next lesson is about the prophet Joseph. His story is written in the old
testament in the book of Genesis. “Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh“ (Genesis 41:46).
The reason I feel his story is so important, is because it helps address the issue of problems,
which good people often go through. Joseph was a good son who believed and trusted in God,
yet you read about all the awful things that happened to him and I ask, why? It doesn’t seem
fair. Nonetheless, because I am not God and I can not see all things as God does; therefore,
how can I a finite being understand the infinite being?
Joseph’s problems where only seen by me as problems but he later clarifies that it was God
who presented these events to take him and prepare him for the task that he would later have,
that is, to save Egypt and all the surrounding countries. What an honor that Joseph had and
only because he trusted in God. He could have been like many who complain and rebel and
then that which God has planned for us, is no longer a reality when we stop God from working
in our lives. Joseph could have complained and have been angry and God would have
stopped and left him in the position where he was but instead Joseph willing accepted as Job
and thanked God and trusted in Him and God led him to save many.
This also reminds me of Jesus. When an ill man was on the ground, the disciples asked Jesus
if it was the sins of his fathers or his sin that caused him this grief of illness, and Jesus replied,
that neither, it was for the glory of God. What an honor to be used as a vessel to show God’s
glory! And who better could have shown it than Job who said at the worst of his life, God gave
it to me and it took it away from me, blessed be God and praise God always.
Due to the amount of information I only listed the internet links, and this is only for Joseph of Jesus and other accounts if you do your research, I assure you, you will find more than you asked for. Below are a few paragraphs taken from the website,
- In 1887 about 350 clay tablets were found at Amarna, the site of Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten’s) capital Akhetaten. They are written in cuneiform characters, mostly Akkadian.
- Most of the letters are dated to the reigns of Amenhotep III (1402-1364) and Amenhotep IV (1350-1334).
- The letters reflect the lively correspondence between Egypt and kings in Canaan, Babylonia, Mitanni and Assyria.
Near the 1st cataract of Egypt is an island called Elephantine. On the island was found evidence of a clan of Jewish people that lived there. Papyri have been found dating from 650 – 399 BC.
- Of the documents that were found many dealt with legal issues, social life, laws and customs.
- This unique Jewish community possessed its own temple to Yahweh.
- The papyri are written in Aramaic.
- Official excavation of the island began in 1904.
The most important mention of Israel outside the Bible is that in the Merneptah Stela (fig. 4). Discovered in 1896 in Merneptah’s mortuary temple in Thebes by Flinders Petrie, the stela is a eulogy to pharaoh Merneptah, who ruled Egypt after Rameses the Great, c. 1236-1223 BC.
Joseph lived 71 years after his family came to Egypt. This means that he died c. 1805 BC, during the reign of Amenemhet III (1841-1797), approximately 25 years prior to the end of the 12th Dynasty.
Specific examples from Joseph’s life provide support for a 12th dynasty date.
Some scholars have objected to the idea of Joseph, a Semite, being elevated to such a high position in Egypt.
- However, a letter dating from the Amarna period has been found, written to a person in a similar position having a Semitic name.
- Joseph is given the Egyptian name, Zaphenath-paneah, and an Egyptian wife, Asenath, daughter of a priest of the god Ra. Joseph was 37 years old at this time.
- Joseph has two sons by Asenath, Ephraim and Manasseh, who latter took Joseph’s place as heads of Israelite tribes (Gen. 41:50-52).
Under the work of Austrian archaeologist, Manfred Bietak, at Tell el Daba and Qantir these two areas are now the accepted locations of the Biblical city of Ramses and the earlier Hyksos capital of Avaris. One discovery, made between 1984 and 1987 is of extreme significance for the 12th Dynasty historicity of the Joseph Story.
- A palace dating to the 12th Dynasty was found. There is no evidence that the palace was a royal residence, but instead that of a high government official who supervised international trade.
- A cemetery was discovered in the palace garden containing a number of tombs.
- The largest and most impressive tomb, consisting of a single brick chamber with a small chapel in front of it, was oriented to the structures of the 12th Dynasty. The tomb had been robbed, but there was still found a damaged statue.
- All that remained of the statue were a few fragments of the head. The statue was approximately 1 1/2 times life size, and exhibited no characteristics of a royal person. What was interesting is that this official was clearly an Asiatic as demonstrated by the yellow coloration of the skin and the mushroom hairstyle (fig. 8), both of which were typical for the depiction of male Asiatics.
Other Websites with Archeological discoveries that match the Bible:
I’m sorry you have had a sad religious experience; I hope that you have a divine experience
so that all your doubts are gone.
See, for the skeptic no amount of “proof” would ever suffice. To me it is sadder that people
place so much emphasis on science than on religion. Look at how many times over the course
of our generation has science been “adjusted” or “revised”? Imagine then, how many times
science has been rewritten since the bible was written?
Then as a logical or cold facts person as one can be, what is easier to believe? Would you
believe in a doctrine that in more than a thousand years has never been rewritten or adjusted
or in the doctrine of science that has been rewritten, adjusted or revised countless times?
Logicallly, it would make sense to believe in the Bible, just by plain logic. Nonetheless,
because it is a religious doctrine and it mentions the word God, it is outcast by society. Does
that make any sense at all?
How much longer will humanity reject God and still expect God to help when humanity cries
out? My friend if you or anyone has doubts, it is simply because they have not taken the time
to research the authenticity of the doctrine they attribute to themselves. I can call myself a
Christian, but I won’t be fooling anyone if I don’t believe in what I claim to follow. And in order
to believe we often need to learn, research, and test it ourselves, as I have. I challenge you to
test God, even though, it is written, “Do not test the Lord your God.” I challenge you to test
God, if that is what it takes for you to believe but when you do, brace yourself, and be ready to
face the consequences. For after all people can tell you whatever they want, it is not until you
yourself experience it that you would believe.“
Free Bible Prophecy Conference!- Are You Part Of The End Times Remnant?
The Prophet Who Predicted 9/11 & Both Iraq Wars Coming To D.C. May 31 – June 1
Admission is free, and you can find the details of the conference here:
http://www.jewishprophet.com/Meetings/Washington%20DC.htm
Here are some highlights from another conference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHXe7×5pzD4
He predicted 9/11 two years in advance.
He predicted the end of the Cold War a year before it happened.
He predicted the coming of the AIDS epidemic two years before it hit.
He predicted both Iraq Wars two years before the first one even began.
He predicted the fall of the Berlin Wall.
He predicted the Indonesian Tsunami and told the people living there to move from the coast while they could.
But people didn’t listen.
Will you listen?
Tom Deckard is a Messianic Jew and a Prophet who has been 100% accurate with every prophetic word and vision. Prophet Deckard has prophesied to presidents, prime ministers, and leaders all over the globe.
He has seen miracles of Biblical proportions throughout the course of his ministry. Through him the Lord has healed the blind, the deaf, the lame and those with terminal cancer. In one crusade in Africa alone, over 800 people were healed from AIDS and went back to the doctor and were medically certified as having been healed. He has even seen three people raised from the dead during his ministry.
The Visions That God Has Given Him Regarding The Future Of America Are Terrifying For Christians And Skeptics Alike. Prophet Deckard Has Never Missed On A Prophecy During His Entire 32 Year Ministry. If You Are Ready To Hear From A Real Prophet, Then You Must See This Stunning Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHXe7×5pzD4
God is real, and He has real prophets who do REAL miracles even today. Are you ready for a mighty move of God to sweep the world?
No true Christian seeks to “prove that Christianity is true.” This is (a) as impossible as disproving God, and (b) not lining up with Jesus’ core teaching of faith.
I didn’t become a born-again Christian because I found enough archaeological evidence! It was because, simply that! I was born-again. New life in me cannot be robbed or persuaded out of me! Scientific arguments cannot stand against it.
Romans 8.
God bless, friend,
Paul
i became a Christian too, not because of evidences and hard facts. i was called by God. It was His conviction.. God would reveal Himself to the person according to His grace. like Paul on the road to Damascus… and all we have to do is say, Yes, Lord.
Gbu!
Well, looks like my friend doesn’t quite agree with you and is in a bit of denial regarding science and Christianity.
A true prophet must be first be made holy if he is to represent the Lord. His inner condition is brought into this state by testing & sanctification through a process of deliverance. If you look at the biblical apostles many of them went into retreat for about 3 years, awaiting their salvation. Paul during the Ephesus years, John on Patmos.
The indwelling Holy spirit which is an angel of God, manifests itself around the upper body or head as a halo. This is evident in pictures of the saints who were truely sanctified.
When the true worker of God raises people from the dead, they are raised “saved” or in a holy condition themselves and therefore are immediately able to receive the holy spirit.
Someone raised from the dead, would therefore be raised holy and sanctified, able themselves to receive the baptism. A Counterfeit healing does not go all the way. The person is raised, but not made holy.
I believe this man is a false prophet and in time he will be revealed as one.
Dear Friend,
For the skeptic. Before they can trust, they have to listen. Faith comes from hearing and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Keep up the good work.