Why would the Bible not have historical locations in it?

Question

if it came from historical times. I have been told by a Christian that the Bible is the real word of God because it has accurate descriptions of ancient cities.. Well duh.. it came from that time period.. Where is the strength in this argument?

Answer 1

I see no strength in it whatsoever. What does one have to do with the other?

Answer 2

Actually, having actual historical geographical locations within the text does NOT make that text "holy". It may, however, help to verify the authenticity of the content.

Suppose, for example, we tomorrow discover a text in a cave in Syria, that appears to be 3,000 years old. Now, this text seems to have a story about a family man that recieved a visit from the FSM while having a drink in Columbus, Syria, during the reign of King Tutenkaman. The text offers precice locations for both Columbus, Syria, and the buriel place of KT. Upon excavating the site, we discover that there was NEVER any city there, much less one called Columbus, and there is NO TOMB of King Tutenkaman in this place either. Now what do we have?

After comparing the known excavations and local historical facts to the newly found text, it becomes apparant that this "text" is nothing more than a 3,000 year old work of fiction. Middle-Eastern Beowulf in a jar in a cave, not a record of spiritual enlightenment. Highly probable that the FSM does not exist. At the very least, this document cannot be trusted to verify the existence of the FSM, for the major points of the story (locations and characters ) never existed.

BACK to the Bible. One of the strengths of the Biblical message is its political and geographical accuracy. We can verify that these people existed in a certain time and in a real place. One more layer of authenticity, one more reason to trust the authenticity of the rest of the message.

Does that help?

Answer 3

Believe what you want - there is little independent corroboration for the details mentioned in the bible. For example, Moses was supposed to have fled Egypt with the Jews in the time of Ramses II but there are no historical accounts of any such exodus either in Ramses or the reign of any other Pharaoh. Given that the Exodus was preceded by various catastrophes visited on Egypt it is inconceivable that such momentous events would not have been recorded when the merely mundane were. In verifying any historical document it is always the case that corroborating evidence is produced; in the case of the bible there is none. Another example would be the raising of the walls of Jericho - no evidence has ever been uncovered of these walls although Jericho is well known. Not possible if the events recorded were true.

Answer 4

The argument does not in itself provides grounds to authenticate the scripture. It just makes a point that the story was not woven in the lala land.

That said it takes "faith" to believe what the Bible says even if the evidence is to the contrary. Think about the age of the Universe. The Bible speaks contrary to the evidence. And yet we believe! We believe that God can control time. If God can make an Adam who when was only a few seconds old, was a grown up man!!! Sceince would perfectly age him well over 18 (you get the point).

This is why God offers to credit righteousness to the one who has faith. Because if there is no faith the math of free righteousness or forgiveness does not compute by the law of God.

Shoot me an email if you like more details.

Answer 5

There are several reasons why you should accept the Bible as the inspired Word of God. It contains hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. There is unity throughout the 66 books of the Bible, even though they were penned by different authors. And there are no contradictions in the Bible. Apparent contradictions disappear upon examination. But the only way to really believe that the Bible is the Word of God is to read it. I would start in John's Gospel.

Answer 6

It is not ONLY the cities that makes it accurate. You see, God said Israel would one day become a nation again... IT DID !!!
It said no one would be able to defeat them... THEY HAVEN'T!!!
It said they would be a light onto the world... THEY ARE.
If Israel is so insignificant in the world's eyes (according to some), why is it that for an entire nation that is smaller than Cuba, everything they do or say is closely listened to by the world. If they are no real threat, why bother with them.
When I see an ant, I stomp it and go on, but all the billions of terrorists in the world cannot stop Israel. Isn't that humiliating?

http://www.chick.com

Answer 7

I will assume that you are young, naive and ignorant of a lot of facts. Have you ever heard of Babylon? The city of Ur? Jerusalem? Do you read? How about ancient Persia? Do I really need to go on or are you just looking for an excuse to be ant- Christian?

Answer 8

There is no strength in it.. There's other religions that thrived long befoe our Christian Bible came about..They have a lot more dated back history and proof. Constantine pushed for the bible. I can't wait to see this flop in in a hurry....This has Europe all over it, especially our friends in England...Look it up yourselves..History books, your pc.Gain some knowledge instead of BLIND FAITH.. Good Luck

Answer 9

but isn't there somewhere that says where the modern day countries are--like mesopotamia is modern day iraq or something? i have heard that....and have seen maps in the back of bibles--couldn't you just overlay a map from biblical times onto the same geographic region? i mean, jerusalem was the same then as it is now--before the world wars there wasn't an israel for a long time, but it was reestablished.....i bet you there are books on this topic that could be easily found by asking a librarian. interesting question.

Answer 10

The bible lists 100's of ancient cities and places, many have been discovered and are known.

Answer 11

The point is this -- because the Bible references real historical people, places, and events -- then perhaps its message can be trusted as reliable throughout. Is this iron clad proof? No, but it is a worthy consideration.