Digital Logos Edition
Archaeologist and professor John Currid explores the geography of the land of the Bible and a history of its excavation; describes archaeological sites throughout the land; and introduces discoveries connected to agriculture, architecture, ceramics, burial practices, and more. This introduction will encourage anyone interested in the witness of the land of the Bible (sometimes called the fifth gospel) and the insights archaeology gives us on Scripture.
“Charles Spurgeon once remarked, ‘Scripture is like a lion. Who ever heard of defending a lion? Just turn it loose; it will defend itself.’ As George Ernest Wright once commented, ‘Our ultimate aim must not be ‘proof,’ but truth.’6 Biblical archaeology serves to confirm, illuminate, and give ‘earthiness’ to the Scriptures. It helps to demonstrate that the events related in the biblical accounts actually took place in history.” (Page 3)
“Archaeology may be defined as the systematic study of the material remains of human behavior in the past.” (Page 4)
“Second, the common thinking of our generation is biblically and historically uninformed.” (Page 4)
“What archaeology provides for the reconstruction of culture is by nature fragmentary, piecemeal, and incomplete.” (Page 6)
“Pixner was probably quoting Jerome, who, in the fourth century a.d., was the first commentator to call the land of the Bible ‘the fifth gospel.’ He believed that the geography, topography, and site remains add a new dimension to one’s understanding of the Bible.” (Page 1)
In this book John Currid provides the reader with a wonderful introduction to important geographical, historical, and cultural aspects of the Bible. Readers will benefit from the archaeological and textual knowledge found here.
—Richard S. Hess, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Editor, Denver Journal, Denver Theological Seminary
Over the years, I have asked my students to use John Currid’s easy-to-read book Doing Archaeology in the Land of the Bible, and also encouraged tour members to purchase his book in preparation for the Israel tours I have led. I was delighted to see Currid’s new manuscript, The Case for Biblical Archaeology: Uncovering the Historical Record of God’s Old Testament People, a book well suited to the classroom and a guide to the layperson interested in archaeology. His inclusion of discussion questions and specific reading suggestions for the various chapters will be helpful for further study. Currid’s new work is well organized and leads the reader from the broader areas of the history and work of archaeology in the Holy Land, to specific consideration of archaeological work in the various regions of the land, and finally to important factors relating to life in ancient Israel. Currid’s new work will be welcomed among those of us who desire a clear presentation of the geography, archaeology, and everyday life in the land of the Bible. I strongly recommend his new book
—H. Wayne House, Distinguished Research Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, Faith International University and Faith Seminary