Rick Tryon

Watchdog Alert: The Latest Biblical Archaeology News

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Photo via Виктор Соломоник at pexels.com

Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on discoveries and news from the world of biblical archaeology and brings it to our readers.

Rare gold coin of Queen Berenice II found in Jerusalem (Aug 20, 2025)
Archaeologists in the City of David uncovered a ~2,200-year-old pure-gold quarter-drachma depicting the Ptolemaic queen Berenice II (3rd c. BCE). It’s the first of its type found in a controlled excavation in Jerusalem and sheds light on Hellenistic-period Jerusalem’s economy and connections with Egypt.
The Times of Israelעיר דוד

“For the Redemption of Zion” revolt coin near the Temple Mount (Jul 31, 2025)
A rare bronze coin minted in Year Four of the Great Jewish Revolt (69–70 CE) was discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority at the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden–Davidson Center. The coin’s paleo-Hebrew inscription shifts from earlier “Freedom of Zion” issues to “Redemption of Zion,” reflecting besieged Jerusalem’s mood shortly before the Temple’s destruction.
The Times of Israelעיר דוד

Temple Mount bulla with biblical-era personal names (Jul 30, 2025)
The Temple Mount Sifting Project announced a 2,600-year-old clay sealing (bulla) reading “Belonging to Yed[a]yah son of Asayahu,” names that appear in the Hebrew Bible. Though found in sifted soil (not an in-situ context), it adds to epigraphic evidence for First Temple–period Jerusalem’s administrative activity. OmnesArchaeology

Dead Sea Scrolls redated using radiocarbon + AI (Jun 4, 2025)
A peer-reviewed PLOS ONE study combined new radiocarbon testing (after removing 1950s castor-oil contamination) with an AI handwriting model (“Enoch”). Results suggest many scrolls—some biblical—are older than previously thought, with two fragments potentially contemporary with their presumed authors. This recalibrates timelines for script development and Second Temple-era texts.
Live Science

Watchdog Alert: Wars

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Here is Jesus, in Matthew 24:6-7, teaching his disciples about the end times. But also encouraging them to ‘see that ye be not troubled’.

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” (KJV)

Russia–Ukraine Conflict

“Ukraine hit by multiple Russian strikes amid US-led push for end to war”
Multiple Russian strikes — the largest this month — struck Ukraine amid ongoing diplomatic efforts spearheaded by the U.S. following meetings between President Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders.
From Al Jazeera

“Russia-Ukraine exchange fire after Trump-Zelenskyy meet: Moscow launches biggest attack on Kyiv in August; Volgograd governor says oil refinery on fire”
After a Washington summit between Trump and Zelenskyy, intense exchanges of fire ensued. Moscow launched its most significant August assault on Kyiv, and an oil refinery in Volgograd reportedly caught fire amid the clashes.
From The Times of India

“In Donbas, Ukrainians hold out as Russia besieges, bargains for their land”
Despite relentless Russian pressure in eastern Donbas, Ukrainian defenders and civilians remain fiercely resistant to ceding territory. Even after setbacks, such as the fall of Chasiv Yar, key strongholds like Kramatorsk and Slovyansk hold firm, underscoring both tactical resilience and deep national resolve.
From The Washington Post

Israel–Hamas Conflict

“Israel is evaluating a Hamas proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and partial hostage release”
Israel is reviewing a deal from Hamas offering a 60-day truce and the release of 28 hostages (10 alive, 18 deceased) in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, including women and minors. Egypt and Qatar are mediating, but Israel continues demanding full hostage release and is advancing plans for a ground offensive in Gaza City amid escalating violence.
From Reuters

“Qatar urges a Gaza ceasefire after ‘positive response’ from Hamas”
Hamas has positively responded to a ceasefire proposal that includes a 60-day truce, phased hostage releases, and steps toward peace negotiations. Israel, however, has not yet replied. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire, with high death tolls and limited aid access.
From AP News

Prince Phillip’s ‘Haunting Desolation’

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In an excerpt from The Crown, Season 3 Episode 7 (“Moondust”) – a monologue delivered in the show by Prince Phillip the during his moment of mid-life crisis, speaking to a gathering of priests at St. George’s House, the writer and actor capture the essence of a meaningless existence as opposed to the wonder and ecstasy of knowing God.

“My mother died recently. She saw something was amiss. She saw that something was missing in her youngest child, her only son. Faith. ‘How’s your faith’, she asked me.

I am here to admit to you that I’ve lost it. And without it, what is there? The loneliness and emptiness and anticlimax of going all the way to the moon and finding nothing but haunting desolation, ghostly silence, gloom. That is what faithlessness is.

As opposed to finding wonder, ecstasy, the miracle of divine creation, God’s design and purpose.”

They Said It: Os Guinness

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I’ve recently read ‘The Call’ by Os Guinness, and I highly recommend it. Guinness has a remarkable ability to communicate profound truths in a very understandable and beautiful way.

Here are some of my favorite Guinness quotes.

“Calling is a ‘yes’ to God that carries a ‘no’ to the chaos of modern demands. Calling is the key to tracing the story line of our lives and unriddling the meaning of our existence in a chaotic world.”

Emphasizing the transformative power of responding to God’s call over worldly distractions, this quote captures Guinness’s central theme of purpose amid chaos.

“We are not primarily called to do something or go somewhere; we are called to Someone. We are not called first to special work but to God. The key to answering the call is to be devoted to no one and to nothing above God himself.”

This profound line shifts the focus from vocation or activity to relationship—underscoring devotion to God as the ultimate calling.

“Freedom is not the permission to do what you like. It’s the power to do what you ought.”

Guinness masterfully reframes freedom—not as license, but as responsible empowerment to do what’s right.

“I live before the audience of One—before others I have nothing to gain, nothing to lose, nothing to prove.”

A succinct, soulful declaration of living for divine approval alone. It reflects deep humility and singular devotion.

Watchdog Alert: Middle East Update

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Bible Rebel continues to keep a watchdog’s eye on events in the Middle East and around the globe, bringing the latest news summaries to our readers.

Iran Faces Existential Choice Between Diplomacy and Defiance

Following a brief but intense 12-day conflict in June 2025—marked by Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites—Iran’s leadership finds itself weighing a critical decision. Internal consensus appears to be shifting toward renewed nuclear diplomacy with the U.S., deemed essential for regime survival amid economic struggles, power blackouts, and public unrest. Hardline resistance remains strong, and external threats loom if Iran resumes uranium enrichment.
From Reuters.

Israeli Military Plans Major Gaza Operation Amid Intensifying Conflict

On August 13, 2025, Israel’s chief of staff approved the core strategy for a new Gaza offensive, intensifying tensions with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The conflict has escalated into Gaza City, with allegations of scorched-earth tactics and civilian casualties—at least 25 people were killed while seeking aid. Meanwhile, international debate unfolds over post-war governance: Hamas has hinted at relinquishing control to a technocratic body, while the Palestinian Authority insists on authority in Gaza conditional on Hamas’ disarmament.
From The Guardian.

Australia Endorses French–Saudi Peace Plan, Backs Palestinian State Recognition

Australia has publicly supported a French–Saudi peace initiative aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict and announced its intent to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly. The plan, also backed by the UK and the Arab League, stresses disarmament of Hamas and the release of hostages. However, Saudi Arabia insists on significant Israeli concessions before normalizing relations, making implementation challenging.
From The Australian.

Middle East Crude Oil Benchmarks Spike Amid Russia Tensions

Spot premiums for major Middle Eastern crude benchmarks—Oman, Dubai, and Murban—have climbed, driven by growing U.S. threats toward Russia. Markets are responding to the heightened geopolitical instability and potential supply risks, with Arab Gulf oil alternatively gaining in global value amid rising uncertainty.
From TradingView.

Watchdog Alert: What Are Those Methodists Up To?

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I keep seeing various memes and comments about the state of American (and European) churchianity that focus one an interesting theme: if the Apostle Paul were alive today we’d all be getting a letter. I love it.

Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on news and events from the world of faith and religion and brings that content to our readers.

United Methodist Church Aims to Close Churches That Have Disaffiliated

Date: June 12, 2025
Summary: The UMC is planning to close church properties that have formally disaffiliated from the denomination. This move comes amid broader shifts and divisions following doctrinal disagreements.
From https://www.wtvm.com

Legal Victory for UMC in Dispute with Southern Methodist University

Date: Last month (June/July 2025)
Summary: The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference is a third-party beneficiary in its case against Southern Methodist University, allowing the breach-of-contract suit to proceed over control of governance.
From Chron

Growth in Global Methodist Church Three Years After Split

Date: 3 days ago (around early August 2025)
Summary: Following the 2022 schism, the Global Methodist Church (GMC) has seen significant growth. At First Church in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, worship attendance rose by 15% in the first year, another 13% the next, and over 10% this year. Meanwhile, UMC adopted a new inclusive mission statement and launched a “queer theology” course.
From CBN

Global Methodist Church Launches the Jethro Project Ministry

Date: August 4, 2025
Summary: The GMC introduced the “Jethro Project,” a ministry mobilizing retired—or “senior”—clergy in the Upper Midwest to pray for congregations, facilitate retreats like “Let’s be Methodist Together,” and support recruiting and cross-cultural coaching.
From Global Methodist Church