Description
The Introduction
During the first third of the 19th century, as during the two thousand years that preceded, the OT stood practically alone in most of its historical statements. All that was known about ancient history at that time went back to about 500 B.C. Before that there were a few statements in some of the Greek writers, but these were so mixed with myths and legends and with miraculous interventions of the pagan gods that they were not considered reliable as sources of historical knowledge. The OT was unique in that it told of events during a period of well over a thousand years preceding 500 B.C. It referred to great cities whose location was no longer known. It mentioned world conquerors whose very names had disappeared. Even whole nations that bulked large in its pages had been completely forgotten. The historical statements of the OT stood alone for the most part. Under these circumstances it was easy for individuals who did not wish to accept the moral and religious teachings of the Bible to question whether its historical statements were dependable. This produced a situation in which students of the higher criticism of the OT felt free to rearrange its sections in such a way as to show a merely natural development of moral and ethical ideas, since many of them were of the opinion that its factual statements were largely mythical and not dependable from a historical viewpoint. It is no longer possible to take such an approach to the OT. During the past century and a quarter archaeology has repeatedly demonstrated the existence of cities, conquerors, and nations mentioned in the OT. At point after point the background of the OT has been shown to be remarkably accurate. As a result of archaeological investigation and excavation, a whole new world has risen from the dust, so that today history extends just as far back of 500 B.C. as it has proceeded on this side of that date. It can never go still further back, because history is an account of events that is based upon written records, and writing did not come into existence until approximately 3000 B.C. Whatever precedes that time is not history but prehistory. Biblical archaeology is of importance in relation to NT study, but not nearly as much as in relation to the OT. The reasons for this will be discussed in sections VI and VII.
Publishing Info
Biblical Archaeology by Allan A. MacRae. From Associated Publishers and Authors with 1976 copyright. No other printings listed. The paperback book measures 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ and has 57 pages. You will also get two Archaeology of the Bible pages prepared by Dave Miller.
Condition
Click to enlarge the scan above to view the book you will receive. Some lighter storage. The biggest issue is the yellow (oil?) stain from the top left corner. This does not affect use/reading. The pages are in very good condition otherwise. The two archaeology map handout sheets have some markings in red ink. No names or other markings on the book. From clean, smoke-free Christian home.
Shipping
Generally sent the same day you pay. Unless you request otherwise, I will back this with one piece of box cardboard (to help prevent the Post Office from bending it), wrap it in plastic wrap (to help protect the item from moisture or torn packaging), then send inside a manila envelope (or brown paper) when sent via First Class Mail with Delivery Confirmation. This is the cheapest postage option that includes both item protection and tracking. See the shipping page to give you an estimate on the cost of a First Class Light package. I am delighted to combine postage and insurance costs if you purchase more than one item. The second item may travel for free or just a few cents more — so it’s worth taking a look at my other items before you complete your order.
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Check out my other Christian and Travel & Geography books — and ask about the combined-postage discount!
