Here are three recent reports from discoveries in biblical archaeology, all from Bible Archaeology Report.
Tomb of Doctor who “Treated the Pharaoh Himself” Discovered in Egypt:
A French-Swiss team of archaeologists discovered a 4,100-year-old tomb at Saqqara belonging to Teti Neb Fu, a doctor who treated the Egyptian pharaoh. The tomb dates to the Old Kingdom period and contains vibrant paintings of Teti Neb Fu’s life and work.
Discoveries Made at Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple:
Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass announced several discoveries around the mortuary temple of Egypt’s female pharaoh, Hatshepsut. The excavation team found the temple’s foundation deposit, including stones with Hatshepsut’s cartouche and several tools. They also unearthed nearly 1500 painted blocks from Hatshepsut’s nearby valley temple.
Structure on the Eastern Slope of the City of David Identified as an Ancient Place of Worship:
A recent article in the journal ‘Atiqot interprets a structure on the eastern slope of the City of David in Jerusalem as an ancient place of worship. The structure was in use from the Middle Bronze Age to the mid-eighth century BC.
Part 7 of our Bible 101 series. This 7 minute episode discusses how understanding the textual and spiritual context of the Bible helps us understand it more fully.
This is curious, from an article on time.com. Where were the calls for “separation of church and state” for the many years U.S. taxpayer dollars were going to charities controlled and operated by religious denominations?
Evangelical and other Christian charities have not been spared these cuts. Among the organizations that lost funding are such Christian behemoths as World Vision, International Justice Mission, Samaritan’s Purse, and Catholic Relief Services, which at $476 million, was the largest USAID recipient in 2024.Because of the vagueness of the language around which programs would still be funded, some groups pulled back their spending, just in case. “World Vision is responding to the executive order that pauses U.S. foreign assistance funding—with the exception of emergency food assistance—for the next 90 days, while programs are reviewed for alignment with the current administration’s foreign policy,” said the international relieforganization in a statement to TIME.
Mormon Easter message
Whatever you might think or believe about the Mormons, this message from President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is spot on and should be echoed by all followers of Jesus Christ regardless of denomination or other creed.
“As we enter this new year, let us prepare for an Easter celebration of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, culminating in His Resurrection — the most glorious event in history,” says President Oaks, speaking on behalf of the entire First Presidency.
How should we do this?
One important way to celebrate, President Oaks says, is to teach the “profound meaning of the universal resurrection.” For Latter-day Saints, he clarifies, “the resurrection means that all who have ever lived will be resurrected — and the resurrection is literal.”
Top 10 countries where Christians are persecuted
Here’s a fascinating and troubling piece from The Baptist Paper detailing the continuing persecution against Christians worldwide.
Last year, 4,476 Christians were murdered for their faith, 7,679 churches and Christian properties were attacked, and 4,744 Christians were imprisoned, reported Open Doors in its annual report that ranks the top 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.
North Korea remained at the top of this year’s list. Those that followed included Somalia(2), Yemen(3), Libya (4), Sudan (5), Eritrea (6), Nigeria(7), Pakistan (8), Iran (9) and Afghanistan (10). While North Korea and Eritrea struggle with either communist/post-communist oppression or dictatorial paranoia, all of the other countries in the top 10 face Islamic oppression. More than half the countries on this year’s World Watch list struggle with Islamic-related persecution.
Part 6 of our Bible 101 series. This 7 minute episode discusses how understanding the historical and cultural context of the Bible, instead of reading our modern ideas into it, helps us get at the real meaning.
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Bible Rebel continues keeping a watchdog’s eye on religious news and events, here’s the latest from the Vatican.
On Tuesday, Pope Francis sent a letter to U.S. bishops addressing the Trump administration’s immigration policies and criticizing Vice President J.D. Vance’s interpretation of the hierarchy of love starting with one’s family and extending outward.
Pope Francis’ own interpretation is that Christian love should be inclusive and compassionate towards all people, regardless of their nationality or legal status and that we should all be meditating on the parable of the Good Samaritan and promoting a fraternity that is open to all.
He argued that measures based on force rather than the inherent dignity of every human being are destined to fail.
“Vatican cracks down on illegal entry into its territory
The document also stipulates that unauthorized overflight of Vatican airspace, including through the use of drones, may be punished with prison sentences from six months to three years in addition to a fine that could reach 25,000 euros (about $26,000).
Anyone convicted of illegal entry will be banned from entering Vatican territory for a period of up to 15 years. If this sanction is breached, the offender may be punished with a prison sentence of one to five years.
In addition, the Vatican’s promoter of justice may summon any person who has committed an offense to appear before the court the day after receiving the complaint or immediately after questioning him.”
Hmmm, reminds me a bit of what Jesus said to the Pharisees in Matthew 15:7-9.
Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men…
Whatever your interpretation of ordo amoris, (Latin for “order of love”) shouldn’t it at least be consistent? Maybe the Pope needs to take a look in the mirror so he can better see how to remove that big ol’ beam lodged in there.
All of this is just another example of why people are fleeing churchianity – of all brands.
Bible Rebel is keeping a watchdog’s eye on events around the world. Here’s some of the latest from the Middle East.
Trump’s ‘out of the box’ Middle East policy is being well-received, says Israeli ambassador
Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael Leiter was on ‘Fox News Live’ Sunday to discuss President Donald Trump’s proposing nuclear talks with Iran, his plan for rebuilding Gaza, and the condition of released hostages which sparked outrage in Israel.
Israel and Hamas have conducted a fifth prisoner swap under the Gaza ceasefire deal, exchanging three Israelis for 183 Palestinians.
Israel and Hamas conducted a fifth exchange of prisoners and hostages Saturday as part of a ceasefire agreement that has paused 16 months of war in Gaza.
Hamas released three civilian Israelis and Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners. It was the fifth swap of hostages for prisoners since the ceasefire began on Jan. 19. Twenty-one hostages and more than 730 Palestinian prisoners have now been freed. – AP News
Iran Ready to Negotiate with the U.S.
Iran’s Foreign Minister has stated that Iran is ready to negotiate with the U.S., but not under the “maximum pressure” policy, which Iran views as surrender.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement on Saturday that “the lifting of sanctions requires negotiations, but not within the framework of a ‘maximum pressure’ policy, because it would not be a negotiation but a form of surrender”.Al Jazeera
Sudan Army Claims Major Advances in Greater Khartoum
The Sudanese army has made significant advances in Greater Khartoum, marking one of the most substantial progressions since the conflict began between army chief al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The army, at war with the RSF since April 2023, has in recent weeks won back large swaths of the capital and its surrounding areas from the paramilitaries. – Al Jazeera
