I believe they should even if some of the data comes from Archeologists etc... who are non-Christians. And even, in those RARE cases where it appears the data MIGHT contradict what's in the Bible.
2007-08-18 05:08:55 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They do and it mostly supports the bible.
2007-08-18 05:14:38 · answer #1 · answered by pestie58 the spider hunter 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Most definetly, the movie The 300 was one reason to study the secular world, as the character of Xerxes and the Persian Empire was critical to ancient Hebreaic History.
I don't agree that archeology contradicts the Biblical account of things. I just believe that if as you say the Bible has contradictions in it, then so dose science, as there may be missing pieces to the "imperic scientific puzzle".
Most valid scientific reasearchers of ancient documents attest to the fact that the Bible is the most acurate ancient of documents we have available to date, with more relevent source documents than any other ancient writing available. It is also show to be at most a 3% translational error rate. 3% that's a miniscule percentage in the grand scheme of things.
I am more facinated by ancient History now than ever. Especially how other religions and belief systems playe a part in shaping a scociety. Ther were very few ancient civiliations the were athiestic, and only one that was monothiestic. The many ancient religions based on panthions of Gods and self worship have all but vanished but the one that is still the most influential and growing today is Judeo-Christianity.
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word will stand forever"
al 4 now B
2007-08-18 05:33:44 · answer #2 · answered by ImJstBob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though I am not Christian as a Hellenic Reconstructionist we look to history and archelogical evidence of how the Classical Greeks worshiped. This is so that we have a connection to the past and can bring the best parts of the religious practice into the modern day even though we know we are not worsipping in the "exact same way"
To fully understand any belief structure, religious or philosophical, I feel that a person NEEDS to look at it in the context where it was formed...... To understand what Jesus had to work against you have to know what the Roman province of Palestine was like, to understand what Paul was dealing with you should also look at the Cities of Athens and Ephesus.....
Just to illustrate the point the poster makes, the archeological evidence may indicate that the quote Paul uses with the men of Athens concerning the Unknown God (which Paul then equates to Jesus) is not complete.....
2007-08-18 05:34:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Especially in the cases where it contradicts the bible.
I think lots of fundamentalists are afraid of even considering historic facts and archeologic facts because deep down inside they're terrified of encountering something that would prove to them that there is no God.
Why else would the be so rabidly and violently against it?
I'm a Christian and I have good news for them: questioning your faith and running into facts that contradict the bible doesn't have to shake your faith and they SURE don't prove that God doesn't exist.
All that is required is faith that God and the bible can stand up to any questions anybody can through at them, to all the contradictions science can throw their way. It does mean that you'll have to think for yourself, though, and end up admitting that the bible itself was never a history book, science book, or autobiography of God.
Believers that approach God and/or read the bible with their brains fully engage to do some analytical thinking, are the strongest believers on earth.
2007-08-18 05:14:03 · answer #4 · answered by Acorn 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! God never told us to use the Bible as our only authority for history. History was written down by more than just Biblical writers. Everyone had a perspective and I think we can get a better view of things in the context that they were written if we see the history that is surrounding it.
2007-08-18 05:37:29 · answer #5 · answered by One Odd Duck 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that it's very important. It gives us an idea and understand of their culture, and societal structure. It might explain some of the texts are too unclear and controversial. Haven't women ever wondered why we are so rarely mentioned and taken into glorification and appreciation like the men? Why couldn't Elijah been a woman? You get my point. I think it just might explain some things.
I have known of several Archaeologists that are Christian, and those that aren't that still would like to seek out the answers, whatever that may be.
2007-08-18 05:17:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Definitely. And where it idisagrees with the bible just wait for them to catch up. Studying secular history helps me understand the times better.
2007-08-18 05:17:02 · answer #7 · answered by K 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible should align very well with Science. It is just interpretations and human errors that create the contradictions.
2007-08-18 05:18:07 · answer #8 · answered by Aeon Enigma 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I study the bible first, then I study Church history, & then I study other history that pertains to Christinanity. With the Holy Ghost in me, he will let me know which history is closer to the truth.
2007-08-18 05:16:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure! Why not! And there will never be data that contradicts the Bible, but studying secular archeology, etc., is not a bad thing.
2007-08-18 05:15:03 · answer #10 · answered by Devoted1 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I agree, but would go further. It would be good for anyone-- Christians, Jews, Moslems, etc.-- to know about ALL periods of history.
2007-08-18 05:15:16 · answer #11 · answered by Ace Librarian 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋