Expert: Dean Gade - 3/15/2006

Question
-------------------------Archeology is a wonderful science but, as with all science, has severe limitations. It may tell us that a city existed, a famine likely occurred or a flood took place....However, it does not show that Noah or Moses existed; and it certainly doesn't tell us anything they might have done, thought or said.

You made reference to things Jesus said; nobody could possibly know what Jesus said considering the limitations at the time, the years that have passed, the many translations (based on different languages, interpretations and politics) and the fact that everything he was supposed to have said is 3rd,4th,5th,6th hand, to begin with.

Don't get me wrong; I believe in a lot of things that can't be proven but I always try to distinguish between the two....and I think that's something that many Christians aren't willing or able to do. I think, oftentimes, Christians do a disservice to their cause by "knowing" that things happened simply because they believe it; from a scientific standpoint, it's simply not good enough.
By the way, I did look at a number of the websites you recommended but didn't see a thing that disputes anything in this message. Thank you very much for your response. I remain very interested in the subject.
Followup To
Question -
Hi Dean,
I was raised as a Presbyterian and have given a great deal of thought to biblical teachings throughout my entire life. However, like anyone else with common sense and intellectual honesty, I am very suspicious of much contained in the bible. Considering that meaningful written language was unknown throughout most or all of the entire old testament period, is there any real reason to believe that people like Moses, Noah, etc. ever really existed? In other words, is faith the only reason to think some of the preposterous things contained therein could possibly be true? My common sense tells me many of the stories and characters were "invented" by story tellers in order to teach a lesson or enforce an idea. I would appreciate your thoughts! Thank you very much.

By the way, I wrote to another expert once concerning Noah's ark and was absolutely flabbergasted by all of the non-scientific and strange things that he "knew" to be true concerning the passengers and voyage.
Answer -
Archeology has shown the historical truth and accuracy of the Old Testament.  To get a better picture of that type "biblical archeology" into your search engine.  There is an overwhelming amount of evidence showing that the facts of the Bible are still being proven true.

The archeological reports in the Bible aren't even primary or secondary, but really just incidental to the message about and from God to His people.  But since these findings are supportive of the book, it does help confirm that the Bible is not just a collection of stories or fables.

"Faith" is still the sine qua non knowing of Moses, Noah, etc.  A person without faith in God as having revealed Himself by inspiring prophets, leaders and writers, will not accept these men and women chosen for His special tasks.

Having experienced the activity of God in my life.  And having seen that He is as He has said He is in both the Old and New Testaments, my common sense convinces me that God has revealed Himself through a completely unique book.

Matters of a 24 hour, 6 day creation or world wide flood are not teachings which give or prevent salvation.  It is Christ(the Messiah, Holy One of God) in the Old Testament that is important and that is what I look for.

Jesus said of the Old Testament:

John 5:38-40
39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
(from New International Version)  

Answer
The university which I attended for four years with a Religion major had a number of professors who taught the Bible from the Higher Critical Method of Bible Study.  Your view of the Bible is from this school of thought.

Therefore, I don't believe that I am able to help you find an answer to your questions.  It is difficult to prove that men who lived thousands of years ago really did ever exist.  We have only the writings of one or a few people who will attest to it.  If their writings MUST be proven before they will be accepted, then the cause is lost because we have none today that can assure us.

My view of the Bible is that it is a book in which God reveals Himself to people of all times.  His purpose is to lead us closer to Him that we might know His will concerning our eternal fellowship with Him.

When the Bible is approached in that way, it does not help or even hinder to first determine if Job was a real man or just God teaching us about suffering and His redemption. In learning to know God, I have no doubts about the real existance of Moses, Noah, the Patriarchs, etc. I have learned that the promises of God are true and therefore am not looking for nor seeing deception in its historical teachings.

Each person must approach God in their own way.  Mine is by faith, but others may need to approach Him intellectualy.  But please be careful that you do not try to be the judge of God's method of offering you His love and salvation.