Dr. Jeremiah Johnston talks with New Testament expert, teacher, and author, Dr. Craig Evans, about the tangible proofs of the Bible’s accuracy. Some of the evidences of biblical accounts have been found in recent years, including a house of David inscription and seal of Pontius Pilate.
“There’s something called ‘minimalism,’” Evans explains. “They were arguing 30 years ago there was no King David, Saul, and Solomon. We have found a huge government complex. Archeology just keeps coming to light that embarrasses and contradicts these lousy interpretations.”
As the author of “Jesus and His World: The Archaeological Evidence,” Evans feels strongly about the importance of understanding Jesus Christ from a historical and cultural perspective. The Holy Land today still offers a look into the world of antiquity.
“I’ve heard it said that there are really five gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Israel,” Evans says. “You go to the land and see the archeology; you view the dig sites and see what’s been found. I think it’s great because it builds faith. You realize ‘this is where it happened.’ The story of Jesus or the Old Testament prophets or King David or whatever we’re talking about – it isn’t just air and just theory. It isn’t just words on a printed page. It suddenly becomes real. You’re walking on the same ground, you’re walking on the top of the same mountain, looking at the same valley, and crossing the same body of water. When you see the land of Israel, you then understand the biblical text better. And in understanding that better, you understand your faith and yourself better.”
Evans is a leader of a Living Passages trip covering significant biblical and early church sites. He recommends Bible study resources such as his book, “God Speaks: What He Says; What He Means.”
Johnston concludes, “All religions don’t have the same aims and claims, and they certainly don’t have the same archeology. I want you to know the great evidence for your faith. Finally, spend time in the Word of God. We don’t want to have just a bunch of information, we want to have wisdom.”
Dr. Craig Evans is the John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins for Houston Baptist University. He is an expert on the historical grounds of New Testament writings. Dr. Evans has published more than 600 scholarly studies, including more than 80 books. His book, “Fabricating Jesus: How Modern Scholars Distort the Gospels,” is a best-seller.
