The historical accuracy of the Bible

[outhouse]

the greek scriptures are very accurate historically...here are a few references with the details of the accuracy of the christian writers:

A. Rendle Short writes in Modern Discovery and the Bible, about the book of Acts: “It was the Roman custom to govern the provinces of their far-flung empire by continuing as far as they safely could the local system of administration, and consequently the authorities in different districts went by many different names. No one, unless he were either an observant traveller or a painstaking student of records, could possibly give all these gentry their correct denomination. It is one of the most searching tests of Luke’s historical sense that he always manages to achieve perfect accuracy. In several cases it is only the evidence of a coin, or an inscription, that has given us the necessary information to check him; the recognized Roman historians do not adventure themselves on such a difficult terrain. Thus Luke calls Herod and Lysanias tetrarchs; so does Josephus. Herod Agrippa, who slew James with the sword and cast Peter into prison, is called a king; Josephus tells us how he became friendly at Rome with Gaius Cæsar (Caligula) and was rewarded with a royal title when Caligula came to be emperor. The governor of Cyprus, Sergius Paulus, is called proconsul. . . . Not long before, Cyprus had been an imperial province, and governed by a proprætor or legatus, but in Paul’s time, as is shown by Cyprian coins, both in Greek and Latin, the correct title was proconsul. A Greek inscription found at Soloi on the north coast of Cyprus is dated ‘in the proconsulship of Paulus’ . . . At Thessalonica the city magnates took the quite unusual title of politarchs [city rulers, Acts 17:6, footnote], a name unknown to classical literature. It would be quite unfamiliar to us, except from Luke’s use of it, if it were not for the fact that it appears in inscriptions. . . . Achaia under Augustus was a senatorial province, under Tiberius it was directly under the emperor, but under Claudius, as Tacitus tells us, it reverted to the senate, and therefore Gallio’s correct title [Acts 18:12] was proconsul. . . . Luke is equally happy, equally accurate, in his geography and his travel experiences.”

1890, French Bible scholar F. Vigouroux published a book of over 400 pages entitled “Le Nouveau Testament et les découvertes archéologiques modernes” (The New Testament and Modern Archaeological Discoveries) of archeological findings which support the Greek Scriptures.

In The Archaeology of the New Testament, first published in 1970, E. M. Blaiklock writes: “Striking vindications of biblical historiography have taught historians to respect the authority of both Old Testament and New, and to admire the accuracy, the deep concern for truth, and the inspired historical insight of the varied writers who gave the Bible its books of history.”

Excellent work Pegg

 

[ConnieMuller]

I reckon there is a measure of accuracy, but as with most religions or records of the past I believe their needs to be context or interpretation.

*edit*

The sumerian clay tablets also speak of these giants, but give a broader explanation as to where they came from.

So ..... accuracy ? I would say partial, to be read with other records and interpreted within a broader understanding.

 

[fallingblood]

I reckon there is a measure of accuracy, but as with most religions or records of the past I believe their needs to be context or interpretation.

*edit*

The sumerian clay tablets also speak of these giants, but give a broader explanation as to where they came from.

So ..... accuracy ? I would say partial, to be read with other records and interpreted within a broader understanding.

The giant skeletons in Greece have been shown to be a hoax.

I agree with the rest of you said though. Partial accuracy, which must be read with other records, and interpreted in a broader understanding.

 

[Dingbat]

The giant skeletons in Greece have been shown to be a hoax.

I agree with the rest of you said though. Partial accuracy, which must be read with other records, and interpreted in a broader understanding.

Indeed, what one must remember is almost all ancient records mix history with mythology. Whether to explain something or to deify something. Julius Caesar was just a man but he was made into the representative of the Imperial Cult after his death when claims were made he was raised into the Heavens.