History Lesson

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Remember those Charlie Brown cartoons where the adults always made that weird “whon, whon, whon” sound when talking? Well that’s how my history teachers sounded to me. I didn’t see history as relevant to my daily life. Learning about the War of 1812 was not going to help me get a job. As soon as the bell rang history class became just that– history. Sadly, too many of us view the Bible the same way I did history class.

We know it’s important but it doesn’t seem relevant in the daily hustle of our lives. Jesus walked on water and healed the sick but what does that have to do with me getting the kids to school and myself to work? Honestly, God was like this abstract being that I couldn’t see, touch or hold a conversation with so I really couldn’t appreciate Him. So what changed for me? Ironically, it took a history lesson during a Bible class to open my eyes. 


Secular people and surprisingly some Christians think the stories in the Bible are just that– stories. The events in the Bible are too unbelievable to believe. The Bible study teacher showed me how so much of the Bible has been proven true that you have to accept the Bible is as much of a history book as the ones in our kids classrooms. The people really existed; the events all actually happened. Artifacts from King David and other biblical characters have been found as well as lost cities described in the Bible. There’s also enough ancient writings about Jesus that even atheist scholars now concede Jesus existed and he died from crucifixion. 


Did you know there are non-biblical sources that reference the miracles Jesus performed? In an ancient manuscript called the Babylonian Talmud (70-200 AD) the enemies of Jesus stated “He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy.” In their attempt to discredit Jesus they actually confirmed the miracles really happened! Another example comes from the Jewish historian named Josephus. In 93 AD Josephus wrote that Jesus was a “doer of startling deeds.” Keep in mind that like most Jews, Josephus didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah but he still couldn’t deny the miraculous. 


Once the reality sets in that everything in the Bible is real (as real as the phone you’re holding) you’ll take the Bible far more seriously. All the teachings of how to live and how to love one another take on a whole new meaning when you realize the Bible accurately describes the past. The people and places are real and the events really happened. Knowing that lets you know you can trust in God and His promise to return. 


Think about it. 

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To learn more about archeological discoveries that confirm the authenticity of the Bible email me: TheRealistBlogSpot@gmail.com






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