Fright at the museum: scrolls are fakes
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Chris Sinkinson
The Museum of the Bible has recently announced that 16 fragments in its collection that it had thought to have been examples of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls are forgeries. Steve Green, the owner of American chain Hobby Lobby, is the major financial backer of the museum and significant money was paid to acquire the fragments.
The authentic Dead Sea Scrolls came to light in 1946 when Bedouin boys found ancient biblical manuscripts from the first century hidden in a cave in the Judean wilderness. Subsequent excavations have identified 12 caves, thousands of fragments and 900 manuscripts. These include sections of almost all books of the Old Testament and many other religious writings as well. The scrolls are of enormous value in providing evidence for the reliability of the copying tradition of the Bible.
defending our faith
Dishing the dirt: is modern archaeology just garbage?
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Chris Sinkinson
Archaeology is rubbish. Or at least that’s the title of an archaeological guidebook written by Tony Robinson. It is a reference to the fact that archaeology generally deals in the material that got lost, broken and left behind.
That is the crucial reason why the further we go back in history the less substantial remains are found for the people, places and events that we might find written about in literature. The Bible is overflowing with information about the ancient history of the Israelites and God’s dealings with them. It is therefore, all the more remarkable how much rubbish and debris has been found that does help to confirm that this is reliable history.
defending our faith
Platforms for hate speech?
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Chris Sinkinson
In a very disturbing recent development, major British conference venues have cancelled bookings for a tour by the son of Billy Graham. The May 2020 mission has been planned to give Franklin Graham an opportunity to follow in his late father’s footsteps and preach the gospel in various UK cities.
It is true that Franklin Graham has been controversial in some church circles. His salary from the Samaritan’s Purse has been under scrutiny. His vocal support for Donald Trump has alienated some evangelicals. His style of evangelism may not always fit well with British churches. But it is important to remember that these issues are not the point.