The Enemy of Biblical Critics - Archaeology

"Archaeology has over and over again proved to be the enemy of Biblical critics, unearthing their negative prejudices and confirming the accuracy of the Scriptures in historical particulars." ~ Dr. Greg Bahnsen

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"More and more the older view that the biblical data were suspect and even likely to be false, unless corroborated by extra-biblical facts, is giving way to one which holds that, by and large, the biblical accounts are more likely to be true than false..."
~H. M. Orlinsky
Ancient Israel (Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1954), p. 6.

"After more than two centuries of facing the heaviest scientific guns that could be brought to bear, the Bible has survived - and is perhaps the better for the siege. Even on the critics' own terms - historical fact - the Scriptures seem more acceptable now than they did when the rationalists began the attack."
~"How True is the Bible?" Time magazine, December 30, 1974,

p. 41

"Archaeological and inscriptional data have established the historicity of innumerable passages and statements of the Old Testament"

~W.F. Albright

"Archeology Confronts Biblical Criticism," The American Scholar, vol. 7 (Spring, 1938), p. 41

An Archaeological Discovery: Unbelief and the Authority of Scripture

Yahoo News (AP) – The fictional King Solomon's Mines held a treasure of gold and diamonds, but archaeologists say the real mines may have supplied the ancient king with copper.

The discovery occurred at Khirbat en-Nahas, which means "ruins of copper" in Arabic. Located south of the Dead Sea, the region was known in the Old Testament as Edom.

"We can't believe everything ancient writings tell us," Levy said in a statement. "But this research represents a confluence between the archaeological and scientific data and the Bible."

Read the article HERE

Note unbelief and the logic applied in each sentence above.

Concepción Solorio

For several years our family has enjoyed the joyous rigors of preparing tamales specifically on this day, October 27. This day is a day of remembrance. It was on this day 101 years ago, that a very special woman in our family's Mexican heritage was born. Most knew her as Concepción Solorio; however, to our family she was our dear Grandma Connie (my mother's paternal grandmother). As a Christian woman, Grandma Connie's legacy of faithfulness in many areas continues to inspire us to this day.

"Cleave to the Lord, mija (my daughter)" ~ One of Grandma Connie's earnest exhortations

The Mexican Art of Making Tamales

Anita Esperanza prepares the masa.

Emilia's efficient and experienced hands prepare the vegetable filling for the vegetarian style tamales.

Daniel carefully dries the hojas.

Mateo demonstrates the finer points of tamale making to Amada Graciela.

Instructed and encouraged, Amada Graciela tackles her first tamale of the year.

Timely Words from John Quincy Adams

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."

~John Quincy Adams

Legacy and Hope

Alexis de Tocqueville's Assessment of American Women in 1835

"Thus the Americans do not think that man and woman have either the duty or the right to perform the same offices, but they show an equal regard for both their respective parts; and though their lot is different, they consider both of them as beings of equal value. They do not give to the courage of woman the same form or the same direction as to that of man, but they never doubt her courage; and if they hold that man and his partner ought not always to exercise their intellect and understanding in the same manner, they at least believe the understanding of the one to be as sound as that of the other, and her intellect to be as clear...

As for myself, I do not hesitate to avow that although the women of the United States are confined within the narrow circle of domestic life, and their situation is in some respects one of extreme dependence, I have nowhere seen woman occupying a loftier position; and if I were asked, now that I am drawing to the close of this work, in which I have spoken of so many important things done by the Americans, to what the singular prosperity and growing strength of that people ought mainly to be attributed, I should reply: To the superiority of their women. "

~Excerpts from Democracy in America

Thoughts for Consideration

In this past century of American history, has "singular prosperity and growing strength of the people" continued, biblically speaking?

Biblicallly speaking what does, ""singular prosperity and growing strength of the people" mean?

To what might we attribute this cultural shift and change?

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Several Scriptures to consider: Psalms 144:12-15, 33:12-19, Ephesians 5:22, Isaiah 3:10-12, Proverbs 31:10-31, Titus 3:3-5, Psalm 128, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Colossians 3:18, and

Genesis 3:13-19.

A Book Review: Exploring Planet Earth

A unique nuance of a large, robust household is the privilege to easily learn from another member's study through oral presentations, written reviews or conversations around the dinner table. Recently, my sister, Emily, took a break from more strenuous reading to enjoy an effortless, fascinating book on discovery.

A Book Review: Exploring Planet Earth

The Journey of Discovery from Early Civilization to Future Exploration

By Emily Jones

Have you ever wondered who invented the air pump? or what about hot air balloons, clocks and compasses? Who discovered the ‘river in the ocean’ or the ‘three spheres’ or the cause of the ocean tides? In Exploring Planet Earth, John Hudson Tiner, the author, explains in simple and easy-to-understand language the more complex discoveries and inventions associated with our planet.

One of the first successful clocks, for example, was invented by a common English man named John Harrison in 1759. Being a self-taught mechanic, it took Harrison 33 years to make a clock that kept the right time.

The three spheres of our planet are the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Lithosphere = solid, hydrosphere = liquid, and atmosphere = gas. Litho is the Greek word meaning stone; thus, it is all of the hard surfaces of the earth. Hydrosphere is the water that covers much of the Earth. Finally, the atmosphere is the gases that we breathe.

“What ever does ‘a river in the ocean’ mean?” one might wonder. The ‘river in the ocean’ was a discovery made by Benjamin Franklin. He studied currents for the purpose of making quicker trips to England from America. He called this the Gulf Stream. Though Franklin investigated the Gulf Stream, he never mapped it. The man who did this was Matthew Maury, an American naval officer. Maury described the Gulf Stream this way:

“There is a river in the sea. In the severest droughts it never fails, and in the mightiest floods it never overflows. Its banks and its bottom are of cold water, while its current is of warm. The Gulf of Mexico is its fountain, and its mouth is in the Arctic seas. It is the Gulf Stream. There is in the world no other such majestic flow of waters. Its current is more rapid than the Mississippi or Amazon, and its volume more than a thousand times greater.”

I could go on about amazing discovery after amazing invention, but I will now end this writing and encourage you to read it for yourself.

Quote of the Day

During my current study of Always Ready, by Dr. Greg Bahnsen, I came across this thought-provoking quote by Augustine.

"Understanding is the reward of faith; therefore, do not seek to understand in order to believe, but believe that thou mayest understand."

(Homilies on the Gospel of John 29.6)

An Aspiring Patriarch

Matthew Aaron (pictured at the age of 3), an aspiring Husband, Daddy, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa... A Patriarch

Allow me to share a very personal conversation that my brother Matthew (then age 3) and I had which I recorded and wrote for my father four years ago...

It is common for Matthew, with his upturned brown eyes studying my face, to ask, "Woren," you will tell us a poem tonight and rub my back...won't you?" One day that precious little face won't say, "Woren," it instead will say "Lauren," or I won't look down into those sweet brown eyes, but I will look up. I will not always recite poems to my little brothers before bed; one day they will be grown men with little ones pleading for stories or poems.

Matthew and Daniel's favorite poem is The Patriarch. The little boys will say their favorite lines with me filling in the rest. The grandest part for both boys is the last line when they join in together to say, "There is none so great as he who finds his call as patriarch."

When Matthew hugs me goodnight, he whispers in my ear, "And one day I will be a patriarch, too...like Daddy, won't I?" I answer, "Yes, Matthew, if the Lord wills, you will be a wonderful patriarch just like Daddy." "And I'll have many children, too...won't I?" he asks. "That is our prayer for you, Matthew."

This type of conversation is common. He wants to know if someday he will have a home, or if his little children will come running out of his home to his truck when he will arrive home from work. In several decades I can imagine him being just like you!

Timothy Dana

Recent Economic Issues to Consider

Questions Discussed Around the Dinner Table...

Does the government have a right to intervene and reward current unwise financial transactions?


Is the United States government in any respectable position to purchase billions of dollars worth of “troubled assets” while currently possessing a staggering debt?


What type of example has Washington been regarding responsible credit transactions?


What led to this "crisis?"


What is the long term solution to this "crisis?"

Click here for an excellent, pertinent article by Chuck Baldwin

Home Education? My Father's First Exposure and Impression

By Dana Jones

I can still remember the first time someone told me about home schooling and my first impression of those who were being taught at home. I recall the enthusiasm God gave me for the idea and remember thinking, "That's what I would like for my children," even though, at the time, I had no children...or wife. But, God is always faithful and if he commands something, he will certainly provide the means to fulfil it; and in my case, he has provided abundantly, four children...so far, and a Godly wife (Psalm 37:4,5).

Working in retail craft sales for the last 15 or so years, I have had the pleasure of observing many types of family interactions. How families interact in that type of setting can be quite fascinating. Among other things, do the kids listen to (Proverbs 13:1) and obey their parents (Col. 3:20)? If they don't obey, what's the parent's response? Do the parents show positive encouragement regarding a child's interest(1 Thes. 2:11)? Does the family seem united (Psalm 133:1)?

I've been able to witness answers to those questions that have been on both ends of the scale. It's such a beautiful sight to see children who listen, respect and obey their parents. It's wonderful to see a parent whose response to a disobedient child confirms that the parent is in control of the situation, and not the child. Hearing a parent say encouraging words about the child's ability to do something that they may have never tried before is heartwarming. Seeing the families that show genuine interest and respect for each other is truly a blessing! Gratefully, there have been a number of families that have shown most or all of those qualities and one in particular made a major impact on our family's life.

Back in 1984, a mom and her two sons came into the store. It was in the morning when most kids were "required" to be in school. One son, Glen, was about 11 and the other, whose name I don't recall, was a couple of years older. Both children were well-behaved and one could see that respectful communication was going on between them. Mom showed a certain peace and authority that was different from most that I had seen.

They started asking questions about our starter sets and inquired about our classes. It turned out that Glen was very interested in learning how to do leatherwork and his mom thought the classes would be a good idea. I told them that the youth classes were on Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m. and explained all the things he would learn. She asked if we had classes during the morning. "Not usually," I said, "most children are in school during that time." "Well, we home school our children and the mornings would really fit into our schedule better," she said politely and confidently.

There it was, the first time the words "home school" entered my ears, and it piqued my curiosity. Over the next few minutes, she was patiently answering the many questions that were popping into my head. Yes, I probably asked the typical first-timer questions like-- is it legal? Do you have to report to the school district? Do you have a teaching credential? And best of all, what about socialization -- aren't you afraid your kids won't be able to relate to and work with children their same age? There were many more, all responded to graciously and confidently.

After our conversation, they ended up purchasing a starter set and enrolled Glen in out new morning youth leathercraft class. For his age, he was mature and confident. He caught on quickly, was patient, listened and eventually became a terrific 11 year-old leathercrafter. He did so well that, in fact, I asked him to make a billfold that I could keep as a store sample, which I still have today.

Patiently, graciously, and confidently was the way home schooling was introduced to me and it left a big impression. When we are given the opportunity to share about home education, it would serve all home educators well to respond in the same positive way. She didn't roll her eyes when I asked the "socialization" question, she didn't talk about all the negative aspects of public schools. She did speak with the confidence that God gives us when we are doing His will.

Edited from an article originally published in Triumphant Families in 1995

The Glory of Children Are Their Fathers

The Legacy of One Faithful Man

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."

1 Corinthians 16:13

We live in a time and place where men and women at large are forsaking and shrinking from God-given duty and gender distinctive roles. The time when it was generally understood that the father was responsible for leading and primarily providing for his family is a thing of the past. All around us, we see the legacies of men who where unfaithful in the primary duties that God has given to man. However, from the twisted and perverted culture, the Lord is raising up men, true men. Because of His mercy and grace these men are forsaking the pomp and pleasure of the world and are instead leaving behind legacies of faithfulness. One of these men is my father; allow me to share about the legacy of this faithful man.

A Legacy of Trust in the Lord

My father's trust in the Lord has often reminded me of Job. My father has echoed the very words of Job during times of trial,

"...the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

A Legacy of Honor

I have always seen my father as a man of honor. I have seen my father choose deliberately to honor those around him whether it was simple or incredibly difficult. Above all earthly people, my father has honored his Father.

"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." 1 Peter 2:17

A Legacy of Marriage Esteemed

Since he was a little boy growing up in and around broken families, my father recalls that he knew that marriage was for life. When he became a Christian, this thought became a conviction.

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Genesis 2:24

A Legacy of the Blessing of Progeny

This is one issue on which my father passionately stands. It has been his firm conviction that unless Christians see and receive children as a blessing, there will be no true, lasting reformation in the land.

"As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalms 127:4&5

A Legacy of History

Some of my sweetest memories of being a little girl are when my father would regale me with stories. "Just one more story, Daddy!" was my often plea at bedtime which my father would graciously oblige. These stories did more than make little girls giggle or tear. These stories from the past gave us an early love for history; an interest and love in how God works in the lives of His people.

"I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done." Psalms 78:2-4