Sermons and Biblical Studies

The Atra-Hasis Epic The Bible is not the only ancient record of Creation and the Flood. Well-known in antiquity is the Atra-Hasis Epic. Atra-Hasis, meaning “exceeding wise,” is the name of the story’s principal character. Dating from the 17th century BC, fragmentary copies of the Epic have been excavated from numerous Mesopotamian sites. Originally about … Continue reading “GREAT
DISCOVERIES IN BIBLE ARCHEOLOGY”

Bryant G. Wood Over 30 years ago a story circulated in Christian publications that calculations done on NASA computers produced evidence for Joshua’s long day. We published evidence in Bible and Spade (Spring-Summer 1975–82-86) showing that the story had no basis in fact. The story has surfaced once again and is making its way around … Continue reading “JOSHUA’S
“LONG DAY” AND MESOPOTAMIAN CELESTIAL OMEN TEXTS”

Part 2 of 3 Brad Sparks Hort’s Twelve Fatal Scientific Errors Scientific errors in the Hort theory of the Ten Plagues of Egypt are glaring (Sparks 2003). Hort’s postulated blanket of thick red Nile silt was so dark she claims it caused the pitch-lack Plague of Darkness, when blown into the air. It never occurred … Continue reading “RED
ALGAE THEORIES OF THE PLAGUES”

Rodger W. Dalman In the last few decades, concern over global warming has led to an ongoing discussion about climate change. Part of this discussion has explored archaeological and textual evidence for famines that struck Egypt and the Levant during the last 4, 000 years. It may be of value to ask if this evidence … Continue reading “IN
SEARCH OF ANCIENT FAMINES”

Charles F. Aling One of the primary areas of the Near East where civilization began is the Tigris-Euphrates river valley, comprising portions of modern Syria and Iraq. This region, the fertile valley between the two rivers, has been known since the times of the ancient Greeks as Mesopotamia, literally “the land between the rivers.” This … Continue reading “CULTURAL
CHANGE AND THE CONFUSION OF LANGUAGE IN ANCIENT SUMER”

Bonnie Fuller Fourth graders were a successful team on their first dig. BSpade 16:4 (Fall 2003) p. 123 Just beginning the dig Kris, Keith, Ashley, and Valerie are all smiles. The fourth graders at West Fallowfield Christian School in Atglen PA, decided to take Bible and Spade’s challenge to do their own backyard archaeological dig … Continue reading “GOING
ON A DIG:
A FOURTH GRADE DIG REPORT”

Gary A. Byers Three Pieces of an Aramaic inscription engraved on a basalt monument were discovered in the early 1990’s at the Biblical city of Dan. Now referred to as the Tel Dan Stela, the original stone had been smashed in antiquity and the pieces reused in a later wall. Parts of 13 lines are … Continue reading “GREAT
DISCOVERIES IN BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY:
THE TELL DAN STELA”

Bryant G. Wood The best-documented event in the Bible is the Flood of Noah’s day. Cultures around the world have oral traditions of a great flood coming upon the earth in antiquity. In Mesopotamia, where writing first developed, the Flood story found its way into Sumerian mythology and was recorded on clay tablets early in … Continue reading “GREAT
DISCOVERIES IN BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY:
THE SUMERIAN KING LIST”

Todd Bolen BSpade 16:4 (Fall 2003) p. 117 Tabgha shoreline from boat. According to the gospels, Jesus’ earthly ministry centered around the Sea of Galilee. While important events occurred in Jerusalem, the Lord spent most of the three years of His ministry along the shore of this freshwater lake. Here He gave more than half … Continue reading “JESUS
AND THE SEA OF GALILEE”

Stephen Caesar A dragon, sacred animal of Marduk, patron deity of Babylon. In the 12th century BC Marduk was viewed as the supreme cosmic ruler of the earth. The Babylonians believed he was the creator of the universe and ruler of gods and humans. BSpade 16:4 (Fall 2003) p. 111 One of the most frequent … Continue reading “THE
PROPHETS’ KNOWLEDGE OF CONTEMPORARY IDOLATRY”