Here’s a brief recap of some of the more recent discoveries and news items from the world of Biblical archaeology. Stay tuned for this regular feature appearing in the Bible Rebel blog.
Tel Dan Stele Displayed in Oklahoma The Tel Dan Stele, an artifact confirming the historical existence of King David, was exhibited at Herbert W. Armstrong College in Edmond, Oklahoma, from September 22 to November 25, 2024. This significant artifact provides evidence of the Davidic dynasty mentioned in the Bible. The Jerusalem Post
Ancient Stone with Greek Inscriptions Discovered in Upper Galilee A 1,700-year-old volcanic stone bearing ancient Greek carvings was found in Upper Galilee, a region associated with Jesus’ miracles. The stone, serving as a boundary marker from the Roman Empire, references two previously unknown settlements, Tirathas and Golgol, dating back to the reign of Caesar Marcus Aurelius Alexander. This find offers insights into Roman administration and land ownership in the area. The Sun
Discovery of a 2,700-Year-Old Seal in Jerusalem In September 2024, archaeologists uncovered a 2,700-year-old seal in Jerusalem. Such seals offer valuable insights into the administrative practices and personal identities during the First Temple period. Bible Archaeology
Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde is getting both criticism and praise for the political lecture, disguised as a sermon, that she aimed at President Trump, Vice President Vance, and both of their families during the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral the day after Trump’s inauguration.
Was that really an appropriate time and place for a minister to deliver a political speech designed to publicly criticize a newly inaugurated POTUS?
Some say that the pulpit is a perfectly appropriate platform from which to speak truth to power, you know, like Jesus did, right?
But to whom did Jesus direct his most withering truth bombs? To the Roman government officials occupying Judea? To Caesar, mighty Emperor of the known civilized world?
Nope. Jesus spoke truth to the power of the religious leaders of his people, because they were the corrupt and wicked ones, whom Jesus called children of Satan.
Maybe Bishop Budde should focus on speaking truth to the high powers of the Episcopal Church who have presided over several sexual abuse and other scandals involving staff and clergy over the years. Just Google “Episcopal church scandals”.
Or maybe her time would be better spent exploring the reasons why the Episcopal Church continues to lose members and adherents. She could then speak truth to the power of the causes of a dying, empty church with no answers for spiritual hungry people.
Here’s a truth that Jesus spoke and which is relevant to us all, including those like Bishop Budde who treat the pulpit as a self-serving political tool, rather than a moral and spiritual responsibility – “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
The article goes on to say, “A religious schism has turned deadly in Nigeria, with a church member fatally shot and two young children killed as homes were set ablaze, according to United Methodist News Service. The news service said the reported violence on Sunday stemmed from a schism in the worldwide United Methodist Church over its decision to repeal LGBTQ bans — and the ensuing formation of the new Global Methodist Church by breakaway conservative churches.”
Catholic Movement Dissolved Over Abuses
Also from the AP, Dissolution of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae: Pope Francis has dissolved the Peru-based conservative Catholic movement, Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, following a comprehensive investigation that uncovered extensive sexual, financial, and spiritual abuses by its founder and leaders. This action reflects the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to address and rectify abuses within Church-affiliated organizations.
Across The Pond: Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns in Wake of Abuse Scandal
From The Times – It is right that Justin Welby resigned after the publication of the Makin review into the Church of England’s most prolific abuser, John Smyth. If the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and others, had acted with more resolution when they were made aware of the scale of Smyth’s offending then some boys he victimized might have been spared.
What’s Going On?
Do you notice a pattern in these three stories? I do – abuse and division. No wonder folks are fleeing religion in droves.
The words of Jesus come to mind. Abuse:“It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:2 Division:“And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25
And no wonder the chief enemies of Jesus were the religious leaders of the time. He exposed them.
What are we as followers of Jesus doing to expose the ‘whited sepulchers’ of our day and time?
On July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt when one of the the killer’s bullets barely missed blowing his head off. Tragically, one of the bullets killed rally attendee Corey Comperatore.
So, why was Corey Comperatore killed, but Trump ‘spared’? Did God intervene for Trump, but not for Corey?
It brings to mind a conversation I once had with a friend, who is now deceased, that went something went like this:
Me: Everyone has a purpose in life.
Friend: Well, what scares the shit out of me is that maybe I’ve already fulfilled my purpose and I didn’t know what it was.
Does God intervene randomly in order to ensure that some greater purpose comes to pass?
Consider this; in order for there to be a level playing field where human beings are able to exercise actual free will, the conditions that create the possibility for failure, tragedy, and death must exist. Free agency is meaningless if there are no negative consequences as a result of bad choices.
Let me repeat, “In order for there to be a level playing field where human beings are able to exercise actual free will, the conditions that create the possibility for failure, tragedy, and death must exist.”
Matthew 5:45 – “For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.“
God allows bad things to happen to good people and good things to happen to bad people – but only for a season. God is entirely just, and He has committed Himself to abiding by the conditions which allow free agency to operate in our physical world and in our current time.
God doesn’t break His own rules, and He absolutely has a grand purpose in mind which he will bring to pass by His own power and in His own time.
Yes, God intervenes in human affairs. No, not randomly. In His grace and wisdom He has provided a way in which He can justly and perfectly intervene and intercede in the here and now – and that is prayer.
Not any old prayer, though. Prayer offered and spoken in faith and in line with Gods purpose and will.
So did prayer for Donald Trump save him from the assassin’s bullet so that as President he could help bring about something of God’s purpose and will for America and the world? Maybe. I believe only God knows the truth of it at this time.
But as the next months and years unfold we will have a better understanding because, “…by their fruits you will know them.” Retrospection can be very important and revealing when it comes to understanding the things of God.
For now, we should pray for our country and for our President. And for comfort for Corey Comperatore’s family.
In my last letter to y’all I only made it as far as addressing the anti-natalists and didn’t get around to those of the nihilist persuasion. So, I’ll dedicate this letter to those of you who believe that life is meaningless and who reject all religious and moral principles – which is the definition of a nihilist.
You may be right in thinking that your life is meaningless, but that doesn’t mean that all life is meaningless. Right?
And if your life is meaningless and without purpose, well, read on.
Now to the bigger, much bigger, problem: To actually believe that the universe is empty of meaning and purpose is to deny the plain evidence directly in front of you every day.
Is there a purpose to the rain that falls? Of course there is. How about the sun that shines or the wind that blows? Of course, and I don’t need to explain or list the reasons and purposes for those things, everyone already knows and understands them.
Is there a reason behind the way our physical bodies are made to function or the way the planets and moons in our solar system move in predictable cycles? Undeniably and absolutely.
So how can you believe that there is no reason or purpose in our existence?
I’m reminded of this verse from the Book of Romans: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”
Everything has purpose, even you. If you don’t know, believe in, or understand your purpose, then you haven’t looked hard enough or asked the right questions.
Seek, and you’ll find. Knock, and the door will open.
Pete Hegseth has been the target of a lot of criticism and outright smears recently because he’s Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense.
One of the smears against Hegseth is that he has a tattoo that is a ‘white supremacist’ or ‘Nazi’ symbol. I call ‘bullshit’.
The Jerusalem Cross is a historic Christian symbol understood as representing the spread of Christianity to the four corners of the world or the Five Wounds of Christ.
The tattoo holds personal and spiritual significance for Hegseth, reflecting his Christian faith and connection to biblical history. It is also tied to his experiences, including his travels to Israel.
Here’s what Hegseth said about the tattoo as reported by the New York Post: “These symbols are deeply rooted in Christian history and represent my faith and commitment to our nation’s values. The attacks on my character based on these tattoos are unfounded and represent a broader assault on religious expression.”
Interestingly, the program for former President Jimmy Carter’s memorial service had the Jerusalem Cross printed on the front.
So, was Jimmy a Nazi white supremacist too? Or is this just another glaring example of the double standard applied by the media and the left wing in American politics?
Here’s Hegseth, again in his own words, in an interview with Nashville Christian Family in 2023: “To me, patriotism is not about love of government. It’s about love of our founding ideals that have pursued a more perfect union from the very beginning. It goes back to basics for me as a Christian: love of God and an understanding that my freedoms come from God—not from government—and that this nation was created as an experiment in self-governance and human freedom that every generation must perpetuate. Being patriotic doesn’t just mean waving the flag or cheering for Team USA. It requires teaching, instructing, and celebrating. In the most difficult times, the best thing we can do is go back to basics: faith, family, freedom—shining a light on those values—what this nation was founded on. If not America, then who? then where?”
“Godlessness ends great nations. The one thing we can all do is get on our knees and pray.”
In my opinion, Hegseth is exactly the kind of human being, grounded in faith, that we need more of in Babylon D.C. I hope he’s confirmed as Secretary of Defense, ASAP.
