2. Group Leader: Krista Laforest Secretary: Anna Rubenacker Designer: Lydia Blodgett Presenter: Kathleen Ryan

3.  The title of our article is, “Is the Bible True?”  It is written by Jeffery L. Sheler  The source is US News and World Report  It is dated on October 25 th, 1999

4.  This article is questioning the historical legitimacy of the Bible.  Modern archaeology is used to trace back to find any bit of proof to show that the Bible is in fact historically true.  The subject of whether or not the Bible could be true is not dismissed although of the lack of archaeological proofs found.  Multiple universities spend time on the subject of proving or disproving the historical relevance of the Bible.  Many stories in the bible have parts that do not follow along with the history involved in that same period of time, making it hard to say whether or not the Bible is factual.  There are some inscriptions and artifacts found in areas where events in the Bible are said to take place.  There is no right or wrong answer to the question, “Is the Bible True?” There are only the artifacts and facts gathered to give the possibility of the truth behind it.

5. - Little proof found to prove bible to be historically factual - Need more for it to be considered history - Augustine - Theistic evolution- the idea that evolution is a process controlled by God.

6.  Charles Darwin’s idea of evolution  Fundamentalists- people who dismiss evolution as a satanic deception  Atheistic naturalists- people who assert that science offers the only window on reality and who seek to discredit religious as ignorant superstition  Augustine warned to not take the 6 days of creation literally  “The Literal Meaning of Genesis” argued the idea of time in creation  Creation and evolution answer different answers to different questions  The story of the Flood is one story that is contradicted a lot due to the lack of historical accuracy within it

7.  Abraham- monotheistic nomad who God promises a “multitude of nations”  Modern archaeology has no proof from the Middle Bronze Age to prove biblical accounts occurring.  Scholars say that patriarch stories contain anachronisms.  Anachronism- a false reference  Question of Abraham’s existence  Archaeology and the Bible “match remarkably well” according to the University of Liverpool

8.  The story of Exodus  There is still not enough archaeological information for this story to be considered history  Inscriptions from slaves are found, but there are no physical trace of the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea  The dating of Exodus is a large controversy  Dating does not fit with other biblical texts

9.  King David and his son Solomon reigned over ancient Israel  David’s stories were usually dismissed before the discovery of the “House of David” inscription  Inscription gives proof of historical accuracy  Inscriptions were found after that from the king Mesha  Mesha- a Moabite king. (ruled Moab)  Defeat of the Israelites written in inscriptions  Scholars reviewed the inscriptions  The two inscriptions are the only archaeological proof found  Philistines as nemesis’ of the Israelites  Not in any nonbiblical sources (question of existence)

10.  There is a lot of curiosity pertaining to Jesus’ life  Crucifixion remains were found in Jerusalem  The way the man had died was similar to biblical facts  The discovery gave a powerful counterargument to scholars  Other discoveries have been made  Archaeologists work to dig and search for as much proof as they can  Pilate Stone- famous inscription that is considered a significant affirmation of biblical history

11.  Thanks to archaeology the Bible “no longer appears as a monument of the past”  The Bible is a useful tool in archaeology  Much work remains for archaeologists of the next century  Many questions are still unanswered

12.  The Bible's credibility can be either enforced or disproved based upon archaeological findings that coincide with history.

13.  Religious truth vs. Science  Scientists have theories  Catholics believe without question  Two very different explanations

14. TThe article raises many questions CCopernicius and Darwin’s ideas IIs the creation story true? Should people take it literally? AAugustine informed people to not take it literally SSome questions being asked cannot be answered by humans alone

15.  Out of 10 people:  2 said the Bible was true  8 said it was false  When asked, “Is the Bible true?” a popular response was, “mostly”  People are uncertain if they think the Bible is true or not