THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT -ARCHAEOLOGY NECESSARY FOR FAITH?

Conclusion of A New "City"

The apostle Paul, writing of his former prominent position in Judaism, speaks for them all:  "What things were gains to me, these I  have considered loss  on account of the Christ.  Why, for that matter, I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." -Philippians 3:7, 8.

Since the apostle Paul had the greatest respect for God's Law and the temple arrangements, his words obviously do not imply that these divine arrangements were to be looked down on.  (Acts 21:20-24) Paul was simply showing that the Christian arrangement was superior to the Jewish system.

No doubt Paul and other Jewish Christians of the first century had specific knowledge of many fascinating details of the Jewish system of things.  And since archaeology opens windows to the past, some of those details can now be appreciated by Christians. Yet, note where Paul told the young man Timothy to focus  his main attention:  "Ponder  over these things [having to do with the Christian congregation]; be absorbed in them, that your advancement may be manifest to all persons." -1 Timothy 4:15. 

Commendably, Biblical archaeology has expanded our understanding of the background of the Bible.  Yet, Christians realize that their faith is dependent, not on evidence unearthed by men, but on God's Word, the Bible. -1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. 

Next time:  THRILL SEEKERS Why the Fatal Attraction?

From the Awake! magazine