Another Lost Gospel Fragment

From: The Sacred Sandwich

The Seal of Samson?

More archaeological evidence for a Biblical character?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Baptist Press ) -- A small stone seal unearthed in Israel is likely the first archaeological evidence of the Old Testament judge Samson, say the co-directors of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Center for Archaeological Research.

While not involved in the excavation that led to the discovery, center co-directors Daniel Warner and Dennis Cole said evidence characterizing the find makes it plausible that the seal supports a story of a young boy killing a lion with his bare hands.

About half an inch in diameter, the seal depicts a human figure -- perhaps with long hair -- fighting what appears to be a lion-like animal with a feline tail. The seal dates to the 12th century B.C. and was excavated at the Beth Shemesh site in the Judean Hills near Jerusalem. Archeologists found the seal with other items on the floor of an excavated house near the Sorek River, the ancient border between Israelite and Philistine territories. Seals were used in biblical times by those of wealth and influence as proof of authenticity. 

"My initial assessment based upon what has been published to date would be that once again we have an artifact that does not contradict the biblical text, but in fact affirms it," said Warner, New Orleans Seminar associate professor of Old Testament and archaeology. 

Excavation directors Shlomo Bunimovitz and Zvi Lederman of Tel Aviv University do not claim that the figure on the seal is of the actual biblical Samson. Rather, they believe the seal probably indicates that a story was being told in 12th century B.C. of a hero who fought a lion.

What Did Jerusalem Look Like in Bible Times?

Here's an interesting comparison of maps of the City of Jerusalem from different Biblical periods using maps from the ESV Study Bible. See more at What Did Jerusalem Look Like in Bible Times? – Justin Taylor:

Virtual Models of the Temple Mount

This is fascinating! - Virtual Models of the Temple Mount in the Time of Jesus 

Remains of a Home in Nazareth that Jesus May Have Known

Here's a little Christmas related archeology news: Uncovered days before Christmas: Remains of a home in Nazareth that Jesus would have known

"The remains of the first dwelling in Nazareth that has been dated back to the time of Jesus have been unveiled - just days before Christmas.

The find that could shed new light on what the hamlet was like during the period the New Testament says Jesus lived there as a boy, Israeli archaeologists said.

The dwelling and older discoveries of nearby tombs in burial caves suggest that Nazareth was an out-of-the-way hamlet of around 50 houses on a patch of about four acres."

See also: A Christmas Present to Nazareth by Ben Witherington

Martin Luther's Seat of Learning

Archaeologists working in Wittenberg, Germany have discovered - "flushed out" as it were- the famous toilet of Martin Luther, according to a report at Discovery Channel :: News

German archaeologists have discovered the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation — a stone toilet on which the constipated Martin Luther wrote the Ninety-Five Theses that launched the creation of Europe's Protestant churches.

Scholars had always known that the 16th-century religious leader suffered from acute constipation and spent hours in contemplation on the toilet seat.

Glad to know we have now uncovered the birthplace of the - ahem - reformation "movement."

3D Renderings of the Temple

Check out these way too cool 3D Renderings of the Temple in Jerusalem in Jesus' Time

First Temple-Era Water Tunnel Revealed in Jerusalem - Jewish World - Israel News - Arutz Sheva

Found an interesting archeology article at First Temple-Era Water Tunnel Revealed in Jerusalem - Jewish World - Israel News - Arutz Sheva

(IsraelNN.com) A tunnel built thousands of years ago – and which may even have been used during King David's conquest of Jerusalem – has been uncovered in the ancient City of David, just outside the Old City and across the street from the Dung Gate.

Renowned Israeli archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazer, who is leading the dig, revealed the findings from the discovery Thursday morning at an archaeological symposium at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Mazer, who also uncovered King David's palace, has led the world in ancient Jerusalem findings. Some of her other discoveries have included proof of another Biblical story, in the Book of Jeremiah. A completely intact seal impression, or "bula," bearing the name Gedaliahu ben Pashur was uncovered. The bula is actually a stamped engraving made of mortar. Mazer also found a second such impression not far away, as as well as the remnants of a wall from the prophet Nechemia.

The archaeologist said there is a high probability that the tunnel is the one referred to as the "tsinor" in the Biblical story of King David's conquest of Jerusalem (Samuel II, 5:6-8; Chronicles I, 11:4-6).

"The new discoveries in the excavations in the City of David illuminate the ancient history of Jerusalem and the reality described in the Bible," she noted.

Archaeological Discovery in Jerusalem Naming Biblical Figures

From an article at Israeli website Haaretz.com, archeologists have discovered seals that belonged to two officials mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah.

Israeli archaeologists have unearthed a seal impression belonging to a minister of the biblical King Zedekiah, which dates back 2,600 years, during an archeological dig in Jerusalem's ancient City of David. The finding helps corroborate the story pertaining to the biblical minister's demand to have the prophet Jeremiah killed.

The seal impression, or bulla, with the name Gedalyahu ben Pashur, who served as minister to King Zedekiah (597-586 BCE) according to the Book of Jeremiah, was found completely intact just meters away from a separate seal impression of another of Zedekia's ministers, Yehukual ben Shelemyahu, which was unearthed three years ago.

Both ministers are mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38 1-4) along with two other ministers when they came to King Zedekiah demanding the death of the prophet Jeremiah for preaching to the besieged city to surrender.

The impressions, measuring 1 cm in diameter each, were found among the debris of the destruction of the First Temple period, by an excavation team led by Prof. Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Other News or Blog Coverage:

Biblelandpictures.com
Charismatica
ChristianToday

Roman Elvis

Elvis did not die- He just traveled back in time to teach civilization to the Romans.

Wouldn't that make him the true King of Rock (or stone, marble, whatever)?

Hat Tip: - New York Post; Country Music Blog

Stone Tablet about Suffering Messiah and Resurrection

Last week it was announced that a stone tablet had been discovered in Israel that predicted a suffering Messiah who rises from the dead- written before the time of Jesus. The NY Times (of course) wondered if the faith of Christians would be shaken by the discovery. Shaken? How about confirmed! Scholars who have read N.T. Wright's The Resurrection of the Son of God will not be bothered by this. - and neither should anyone else.

Since this is a brand new discovery, it will take a while for scholarship to settle down to consensus conclusions. And after all the stories the past few years about the Gospel of Judas, the "Jesus Tomb," the James Ossuary, the DaVinci Code, etc., does anyone need any more proof that most religion reporters are totally ignorant on the subject they report on? The first stories are always hyped and sensationalized, and almost never turn out to be accurate.

Michael Spencer has some wise counsel: "Take this tablet, study it, and call me in the morning a year or so from now." (See link below)

For more background and commentary check out the following bloggers:

Ben Witherington
Charismatica
C. Michael Patton
Michael Spencer