Holy Trinity

Someone writes, “I would like to know what is the ‘holy trinity’ and where in the Bible scriptures is the answer supported.” Though the word “trinity” does not appear in the English translation of the Bible, the matter represented by the word “trinity” is taught in the Scriptures. Scholars familiar with the original languages in which the Bible was written inform us that the word for “God” in Genesis 1:26 is plural, indicating that more than one person is meant by that term. In addition, the pronouns “us” and “our” in the same verse refer to a plural number of persons within the term “God” of Genesis 1:26. The word “Godhead” appears three times in our English Bibles (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9), and the term means “godlike” or “divine.” This divinity is ascribed in Scripture to three divine persons (i.e., Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; John 14:26). No more injustice is done by using the word “trinity” to refer to a biblical subject than is any injustice to Scripture incurred by using a term like “eschatology” to refer to final things (i.e., the Second Coming of Christ, the Great Judgment, assignment of eternal destinies). Understood in the context of doctrines taught in the Bible, either of these terms briefly announces a broad biblical subject.

Halloween

Someone poses the question, “Where in the Bible does it talk about Halloween?” The Bible does not specifically mention Halloween. One reference work says of “Halloween,” “the Scotch term for the eve of the feast of All-Saints” (McClintock and Strong). A dictionary definition of “Halloween” includes that it literally is “short for All Hallow Even (All Saints’ Eve), but in our time, it is “October 31 observed especially with dressing up in disguise, trick-or-treating, and displaying jack-o’-lanterns during the evening” (Webster’s). First, “Halloween” pertains to a manmade religious holiday about which one cannot read in the Bible; on that basis, the child of God should have no regard for “Halloween” because it is not authorized in the Bible (Colossians 3:17). Second, to the extent that “Halloween” is practiced by its association with witches, ghosts and monsters, which type of things glorify what the Bible abhors (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Revelation 21:8), the child of God should use good judgment respecting the same. Yet, if notice of “Halloween” pertains to national or local holidays or festivities where one is not making an unauthorized religious observance and not participating in questionable activities that conflict with Christianity, then the child of God ought to use good, personal judgment. Works Cited McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia. CD-ROM. Seattle: Biblesoft, 2000. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. CD-ROM. Springfield: Merriam-Webster, 1993.

The Deserted Mate

Someone poses a question respecting the deserted mate mentioned in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, whether the deserted mate is helpless based on the whim of the mate who deserts the marriage. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), and at least one party to a divorce is guilty of sin. First Corinthians 7:10-11 represents an innocent party to a divorce for reasons other than fornication or adultery and a party who is guilty for deserting the marriage. (Irrespective of whether a legal separation or divorce is obtained, the physical departure or separation is essentially the same affect and sinful.) God through New Testament Scripture provides a single reason for which an innocent party to divorce may remarry another eligible candidate for marriage, and that is fornication or adultery (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). The scenario of 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 is desertion without inclusion of fornication or adultery, and lamentably, the innocent party under those circumstances has no biblical recourse whereby he may contract another marriage with God’s approval. The guilty party who deserted in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 continues to be guilty for the sin of breaking up the marriage, plus verse eleven cautions the one deserting the marriage not to compound the sin of breaching the marriage by committing fornication or adultery. However, often desertion is companion to fornication and adultery, and 1 Corinthians 7:11 even anticipates fornication or adultery by cautioning the one deserting a marriage to practice celibacy apart from one’s marriage partner. When fornication or adultery enters the picture, the scenario is …

Is the Name Church of Christ Biblical?

Dear Norm, I am glad you have been reading from our site and hope you will continue to do so. The names for the church that you have listed are certainly appropriate. “Church of God,” as you pointed out, is mentioned several times, and I have no problem with that name, except the connotation it has in association with the modern denomination bearing the same name. (Not that I speak disrespectfully of this group, as I am sure there are a number of sincere and morally upright people among them, but many of their practices from what I have observed are not in strict compliance and adherence with the old Jerusalem Gospel.) This name, used strictly as a specifying term, however, indicates that the church belongs to God. Also, the church at Corinth, or Thessalonica denotes the geographic position of a local congregation of the Lord’s church. As for the term “church of Christ,” have you not read Romans 16:16? Yes, it is in the plural, referring to the many different local congregations of the church, but this term IS most definitely used in the New Testament. We choose to wear this name because it defines us as the property of one Jesus Christ, the church (ekklesia) being the “called out” group. “Of” means possession. As for the church of Christ being in existence for only the last 150 years, there we must strongly disagree. If one chooses to follow the pattern of the New Testament that was written nearly …

Did Jesus Christ Deny his Deity?

A brother arming himself to encounter denominational people in foreign missionary work asks a question about the Jehovah’s Witnesses misuse of John 10:34, where that group claims Jesus denied his Deity. The verse and some of those around it read: The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:33-36) The immediate context and the larger biblical context reveal the meaning and intent of what Jesus said, and he did not renounce his Deity. The James Burton Coffman Commentary records for John 10:34: This is the passage to which Jesus referred: God standeth in the congregation of God; He judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, And respect the persons of the wicked? …I said, Ye are gods, And all of you sons of the Most High (Psa. 82:1,2,6). The unjust judges of Israel were the subject of these verses, God calling them “gods” in order to stimulate and encourage them to render just judgments. Of course, those men were “sons of the Most High” in the sense ordinary; but the use of …

The Fires of Molech

Someone asks, “What king made his son walk through fire?” God, through Old Testament Scripture had commanded his people not to imitate the idolatry of the heathen, including not offering their children as sacrifices to the idol, Molech (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5). King Solomon, the third king of the united kingdom of Israel, introduced the idolatry of the Ammonite god, Molech, to satisfy one or more of his foreign wives. Solomon brought much idolatry into Israel to appease his 700 wives and 300 concubines or secondary wives (1 Kings 11:1-8). The names Molech, Milcom and Moloch appear as variations of the same god of the children of Ammon. Molech appears in eight verses (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5; 1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 32:35). Moloch appears twice (Amos 5:26; Acts 7:43). Milcom appears three times (1 Kings 11:5, 33; 2 Kings 23:13). The phrase “through the fire” appears 13 times in the Old Testament where it refers to sacrificing children in worship of Molech. Scripture reveals that kings from both Israel and Judah (as well as priests and prophets) made their children walk through the fires of Molech. Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up …

Innocent Suffering

We are often inclined to ask, “Why do the innocent suffer?” In light of the recent overwhelming tragedy along the equatorial Indian Ocean, the question has again, like the Tsunami itself, “come to the surface.” Indeed, this is sometimes a difficult question to answer. Small children, elderly grandparents, innocent bystanders often suffer due to undue wrongs, helpless mistakes and unwillful ignorance. You may have heard this–not a direct biblical quote–but a common saying: “God will not lay anymore upon us than we are able to bear.” This reflects a biblical statement: “There hath no temptation [“trial of man’s fidelity, integrity,” Thayer] taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The principle is that God’s answer for our troubles is greater than the troubles themselves. As Batsell Barrett Baxter once said of natural calamity: Gravity can be cruel, when someone falls from a height and is crushed in the fall; but without gravity it would not be possible for the normal activities of life to go on. The occasional destructive aspects of nature are so few in comparison with its blessings that the verdict must be solidly in favor of God’s system. (I Believe Because 275-76). The greatest example of innocent suffering ever was that of Jesus, both during his life (Isaiah 53:3; Hebrews 5:8), and ultimately his death on the cross. That dreadful night Innocence was “betrayed into the hands of …

Nearing the End

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands (2 Corinthians 5:1) We stopped by the hospital to see her tonight. Family and a few close friends surrounded her. She was so thin and pale. Her wig delicately perched on top of her tiny frame as always. It was the most pronounced thing I noticed about her. If I hadn’t known better it would have seemed she was having a fabulous time. She told us that she had undergone a scan today and was waiting to hear the results. We left her room and traveled to the north tower and checked in on him. He was awake and lying flat on his back. He had a procedure on his heart today. The doctors were unable to do all that they had hoped at this time. As he talked with us, my attention was drawn to a small dish of strawberry shortcake that balanced on top of the covers he lay beneath. He teasingly asked us if we would like to share it with him. He related the events of his surgery and ended by confiding the results of her scan today. The news was not good. She has only a short time left. Hospice is going to be the next phase for her. She will be wheeled to her life partner’s room when their son arrives later from his own …

“The Form of Sound Words”

An inspired commandment is to “Hold fast the form of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13). The word “sound” (hugiaino) first refers to your physical body, “to be well, to be in good health” (Thayer), and then refers to your spiritual body, your soul, your spirit, that it may “be well” and “in good health.” This requires teachings “free from any admixture of error” (Thayer), “correct instruction” (B-G-D). The word “form” (hupotuposis) refers to a “model,” an “example,” a “standard” (B-G-D), a “pattern placed before one to be held fast and copied” (Thayer). Thomas used part of Paul’s word (tupos): “Except I shall see the print [tupos] of the nails, and put my finger into the print [tupos] of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Unfortunately, words are used today for which there is not an inspired “print” or an “example” or a “standard” or a “pattern” placed “before one to be held fast and copied.” Hugh Fulford in a Vigil article reminds us: Do Not Say: Instead, Say: “Church of Christ people” “Christians or God’s people” “Church of Christ preacher” “Preachers or ministers of the Gospel” “Church of Christ doctrine” “The gospel of Christ or New Testament teaching” “Come hear what the Church of Christ teaches” “Come hear the Word of God” “I am trying to teach him our position” “I am trying to teach him the Word of God” “I am trying to convert her to the Church of Christ” “I am …

The Goal

It has been suggested that America is the most religiously divided nation in the world. Whether or not that is true is hard to determine. But, if it isn’t completely accurate, it is close. In addition to the non-Christian religions in this country, there are more than 2,500 different churches claiming to be the church of the Bible. Though some would argue to the contrary, all this religious diversity is not good. Jesus said, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe on me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be one in us that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20-21). The intent of that prayer is obvious. Jesus desired unity on the part of believers. Only a united Christendom will bring the world to Christ. Division leads to unbelief. Therefore, if the lost are to learn of Jesus, those who follow him must be united. The apostle Paul appealed for unity among believers in the church at Corinth. He pleaded for them to agree and stand as one (1 Corinthians 1:10). It is still a valid plea! We believe that great harm has befallen the cause of Christ in this world because those who claim to follow him are so divided. But, we also believe that unity is possible. It is our desire to cast aside all manmade …

Worship and Serve the Creature

Most of my life, as I have read Paul’s statement in Romans 1:18-25, I have applied it in my mind to the heathen nations. Recognizing that the principles of God’s Word apply to all of us, I still did not feel any particular urgency to try to make application to the present generation or myself. Although I have been teaching from Romans for about 50 years, I feel humbled almost to the point of humiliation to realize how little I know about it. As I began to teach it again in a Wednesday evening class, some thoughts came to me as I strove to study more deeply from those verses. First, did those Gentiles know God as well as you and I know him? It should be evident without argument that they did not. They could recognize his eternal power and divinity by reasoning about the things that are made (vs. 20), but they had little concept of his law or his love. In passing, let me suggest that I think the King James rendering of “theiotes” as “Godhead” is not as accurate as it should be. The word might be better translated as “Godhood” or “divinity” for they could not understand by looking at the creation the nature of the personal God about whom he speaks. In Colossians 2:9, when he says about Christ, “In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead (theotetos) bodily,” he uses a different word. The difference in “theotetos” and “theiotes” may be as …

The Jews Defeated God?

The most amazing event in the entire history of the world was the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone who has ever read the Bible account of this event knows there is no way to ever justify, or declare as right and reasonable, the fact that the Lord was taken by lawless hands …crucified, and put to death. To the best of our knowledge, no Bible-believing person has ever said the Jews and Romans were right when they conspired against and took the life of the Son of God. Many and severe have been the denunciations of the Jews and Romans who took part in the illegal trials and crucifixion of Jesus, and this is as it should be. Notwithstanding the numerous prophecies of the Old Testament regarding the coming crucifixion of our Lord, there are those today who say that God never planned for this to come to pass. They say the Lord was sent by Yahweh to establish a physical kingdom upon this earth, and that the Jews and Romans crucified him, thus offsetting God’s plan. They say since God was unable to establish his kingdom due to the crucifixion of Jesus, he established the church as a sort of stopgap measure until a coming time when the Jews will be willing to accept Jesus as Messiah, and he can successfully establish an earthly kingdom. My Friends, this means that our God is so weak that he was defeated in his plans to bring his kingdom into this …

Your Children Have Been Drafted to Battle

We all know one. You know, those young kids who can rattle off questions at speeds that make most Indy drivers jealous. “Why is the sky blue? Why is water wet? What is dirt made of? Can worms smell? How do fax machines work?” While we encourage our young children to imagine and pretend, we often are rewarded with some very colorful, if not mind-boggling questions. Most of these questions we either answer quickly or simply, and then change the subject. Or, we use alternative strategies like food or videos. But what happens when our children begin asking us tough questions that have to do with matters of faith? What happens when our children come home from school and want to know how dinosaurs fit in with the Bible? Or what do we tell them upon discovering that their science class is studying evolution? Oftentimes, these important questions are left unanswered as our children are instructed to quickly “wash up and get ready for dinner.” Unfortunately, today many parents find themselves reacting to questions and topics, rather than planning ahead. As Christian parents, we need to be proactive rather than reactive. We need to be on the front line, teaching our children the truth about the world around us as they grow, because if we don’t, there is someone out there more than willing to teach them another version. Possessing a belief in God is not enough. Our children (and grandchildren!) need to know how to defend that belief. The …

Does Love Demand What Grace Disapproves?

I often grow weary over the labels we place on one another in the church of Jesus Christ. I am not sure where I belong at times. Brethren refer to one another as belonging to either the “grace oriented” or the “work oriented” groups. Could I not belong to both at the same time? Do I have to be a part of only one group? After all, I truly desire to associate with all my brethren, if possible. I sincerely long for and pray for faithfulness and peace among my brethren. It seems that we are people of extremes. It is either one way or the other. It just could not be both at the same time. Where is the balance that is sorely needed in a time of doubt, disbelief and disunity? I have no problem in understanding that we are saved by the grace of God, for the Word of God clearly teaches such as is found in Ephesians 2:5. Yet, in verse 8 of the same chapter, we learn that we are saved by grace through faith. There is a sense in which I do not contribute anything to my salvation since it is a gift from God; nevertheless, if I do not manifest my faith by doing what God wants me to do, I will not benefit from the unmerited favor of the Lord in the matter of salvation from sin. No, the works of the law or the meritorious works of man’s devising cannot and …

Mr. President, We Are Praying for You

On January 13, 1957, President Harry S. Truman said: “I’ve got the most awful responsibility a man ever had.” Great leaders feel the weight of their responsibility. King Solomon prayed for “an understanding heart” (1 Kings 3:9). His responsibility seemed so overwhelming that he asked, “Who is able to judge this great people…” (1 Kings 3:9). He recognized, as do all great leaders, that it is by wisdom that “kings reign, and rulers decree justice” (Proverbs 8:15), and by wisdom “princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth” (Proverbs 8:16). Franklin D. Roosevelt referred to God in each of his inaugural addresses. In his fourth, and last, he stated: “So we pray to Him now for the vision to see our way clearly…” Dwight D. Eisenhower began his first inaugural address with the following prayer: “Almighty God…give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race, or calling.” Paul enjoined “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority… (1 Timothy 2:1-2). As George Walker Bush serves as the 43rd President of the United States of America may he, and we, rely on God. Mr. President, we are praying for you. May God bless America!

Can I Go to Heaven?

[Power May 2002: 1] Heaven is that “prepared place for a prepared people.” We can read of the beauty of heaven in Revelation 21:10-22:5. We should all want to go there. But often times we see people who want to do as little as possible and get into that beautiful city. Taking into consideration what many try to do, let’s ask the following questions: CAN I GO TO HEAVEN on one service a week? NO!  Not if I am able to attend more but choose not to. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is…” (Hebrews 10:25). CAN I GO TO HEAVEN and love the things of the world? NO! John wrote, “Love not the world…If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). CAN I GO TO HEAVEN and not work for the Lord? NO! Listen to the words of James, “Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone…For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:17, 26). CAN I GO TO HEAVEN and live any way I choose? NO! We must live “faithful unto death” if we expect to receive a crown of life (Revelation 2:10). We must live our lives as instructed in Titus 2:12, “…denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” CAN I GO TO HEAVEN and not be obedient to the Lord’s plan …

Jericho Crossword Puzzle

(Crossword Puzzle is Internet Interactive; do the puzzle online.) You need Java enabled to view the crossword applet. Solution

No Variableness

Have you ever looked up at the sky at nighttime? Did you look at the stars? Did you notice that the stars twinkle? The stars sometimes look like they are almost turning on and off. One moment the star may be bright, the next moment it may be dim. In James 1:17, we read, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James says that God is the Father of lights. God created the stars. But God does not ever appear like he is turning on and off. His blessings keep coming down. God is always there for those that follow him. All good things come from God. He never gives us bad blessings. He is always concerned for our good. At the time James lived, many people believed in false gods. Most of their gods were believed to be moody. Sometimes the gods would be interested in humans and sometimes they were not at all interested in humans. The people did not believe that their gods were all good. They believed that some of their gods were evil. Our God is a God who loves us and is always interested in us. He shines bright at all times. He never turns off. He never dims. Keep studying your Bible. Learn all you can from it and obey God. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult …

Write Him a Copy

In the United States these days, we hear a great deal about whether it matters what kind of personal life a politician leads. Some people have said that character does not really matter as long as the politician makes the right decisions regarding the law and policies. Some have said that a man’s character in private life is separated from his ability to make public decisions.  Some have said that a politician should keep his personal religious beliefs to himself and not allow them to alter his political decisions. In Deuteronomy 17:18-20, we read regarding the kings of Israel that when they “sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.” God says that a ruler should keep the Word of God with him at all times. He should read it and study it. He should apply it to his …

Why Many Are Not Saved

Jesus dealt with this subject in Matthew 7. In verse 21 he concisely stated: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” There we have it! One is not denied entrance into the heavenly kingdom because of the pigment of his skin. He is not denied that entrance because he is either rich or poor, or because he is or isn’t kin to certain people in power. That entrance into the kingdom above will be denied simply because one did not do the will of God. Why did these to whom Jesus had reference fail to do the will of the Father? There are at least two factors involved in the general context. These two factors are: 1) They had been deceived by a false teacher. 2) They had used faulty building material. Let us notice each of these factors. After stating the verity that more are traveling the broad way than are traveling the narrow or straitened way, Jesus immediately warned against false teachers. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). What does a false teacher do? He speaks that which is false! Does he present himself to his audience as a vicious, ravenous beast who is about to pounce on his victim to destroy it? Not on you life! To the contrary, he presents himself as an innocent and …

Be Not Overcome of Evil

Introduction The need to overcome evil with good is just as pressing today as it was when these words were first written. We live in a time of great anger, when revenge is sought by many, if not all. Yet still, the words of the inspired writer command us, as Christians, to do good. We’re not only to do good to those who are kind to us, but also to those who have wronged us! The text for this lesson is Romans 12:19-21. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” The emphasis of this lesson will be on the need to overcome evil with good. The meaning of the passage is best stated as, be not so overcome by evil that you do evil in return. As with many things that we read in Scripture, the question isn’t so much, “What does this passage mean,” as it is, “How does one carry out this passage.” This writer would like to offer some suggestions on the meaning of this Scripture and an application to our lives on three levels. We will examine how to overcome evil with good in the world, in the congregation and in the family. Overcoming Evil in the World Jesus told …

Purgatory

The false doctrine of purgatory is credited to Gregory I. He was pope of the Roman Catholic Church from A.D. 590 to 604. It was during this time that the belief of purgatory came about. Our English word “purgatory” comes from the Latin word purgatorium, which comes from purgo, meaning, “I cleanse.” Purgatory itself is said to be a middle region between heaven and hell, but more closely related to hell. The purpose of purgatory is to purge the soul from all carnal impurities by means of fire. Purgatory is a place for baptized Catholics, whether at infancy or adulthood, who are not good enough at death to enter heaven. Purgatory, however, is not an eternal destination for one’s soul. Those in heaven and on earth pray for the well being of those in purgatory. The souls in purgatory can pray to the souls in heaven and for the souls on earth, but they cannot pray for themselves. Therefore, souls in purgatory rely on those who are yet alive to relieve them from the fires of purgatory. This is done through prayers, alms and masses offered to God on the behalf of the departed souls. The Roman Catholic Church remembers those without friends or family through general commemorations at every mass. Once an acceptable number of prayers are offered, the soul is released from purgatory and allowed entrance to heaven. Oddly enough, the priests are the ones responsible for deciding the duration of time one must remain in purgatory. There is no scriptural …

Digging Up the Past

Archaeology is a science that sifts evidence of mankind’s past to discern historical information. A dictionary definition for “archaeology” is “the scientific study of material remains (as fossil relics, artifacts, and monuments) of past human life and activities” (Merriam). A simplified, homespun definition of “archaeology” could be “digging up the past.” Bible archaeology is archaeological excavation, examination and ascertaining information about biblical characters, biblical places or biblical times. Since archaeology is a science, it is vulnerable to a degree of subjective assessment (i.e., educated guesses). Unfortunately, in every sphere of life, unintended biases as well as covert (or sometimes thinly veiled) prejudices influence conclusions to which one arrives regarding the available evidence. For instance, once biblical archaeologists were usually friends of the Bible and delighted whenever they found extra-biblical, archaeological evidence that validated the biblical text. Now, so-called new biblical archaeologists are pronounced enemies of the Bible and are horrified whenever extra-biblical, archaeological evidence is interpreted by anyone to validate the biblical text. New Bible Archaeology has boldly undertaken the reevaluation of past discoveries and revels in issuing new assessments of past archaeological discoveries that contradict earlier, published conclusions. Biblical archaeologists who characteristically diminish any possible relationship between archaeological discoveries and the Bible are called minimalists; biblical archaeologists who characteristically capitalize on any possible relationship between archaeological discoveries and the Bible are called maximalists. Available evidence implies that what has been unearthed and examined may not represent all of the potential evidence that either has not been found yet, or if discovered, to date has not been …