Archaeology and the Bible

Starting in the Enlightenment, many scholars have challenged the historical veracity of the Bible. This continued in the work of German Higher Criticism in the 18th and 19th centuries. Lukewarm or non-believing scholars continue to cast doubt on traditional dates, deny the existence of many figures and even whole nations (like the Hittites), and attempt to explain away events in Biblical accounts. Providentially, God has provided hard evidence to affirm his living Word. This talk will provide an overview of some of the archaeological evidence that supports a sensible timeline for the Biblical narrative, showing the existence of minor figures, kings, and nations of people. We will discuss the different kinds of evidence, the methods of dating events and competing timelines, and provide further resources for anyone interested in more details about specific topics. Some topics will include: The Hittite Empire; the date of the Exodus and Solomon's Temple; and a synopsis of the evidence for dozens of figures whose existence has been verified by archaeology.