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| Reverend C. David Coyle |
Video Page: Real Life Worth Living on You Tube
Email: reallifeworthliving@gmail.com
Like you and almost everyone else, I am greatly fascinated with the field of science known as archaeology -- the study of old things. Please, explain to your children that that doesn’t mean that you are being studied by science. You may need to remind them several times. But, there are truly things which are of vast importance to Christians from antiquity, worth looking at. And we should do that, without getting bogged down by them.
The Ark of the Covenant
I have read articles and seen presentations on the Discovery Channel and other outlets, recently, which involved discussion about the Ark of the Covenant. I like to mull over the ideas and claims they discuss. The theories range from the idea that it has fallen into natural decay or been destroyed; or, maybe, it is a secluded church site in Ethiopia. This is considered because of the numerous copies in churches all over Ethiopia. Because of Levitical instructions concerning its movement, I don’t think this theory warrants any serious acceptance. Others believe it is somewhere in Israel, in, under, or near the Temple site. The leading Rabbis contend it has been found in a room, in the labyrinth of rooms found beneath the Temple itself. Because of its sacredness to Israel’s past and the Temple’s future, admittance to its proximity is forbidden. I see no reason to doubt their veracity or its location being discovered there. It seems to me to be the more reasonable option.
The Shroud Of Turin
Another of those archaeological interests is the “so-called” Shroud Of Turin. It fascinates me because of the evidence it displays concerning crucifixion in First Century Israel and vicinity. There are a lot of points of similarity in common with the crucifixion of Christ. The question with the shroud has always been one of age. Secondly, could someone in the Tenth Century have made such a convincing forgery? Tests have been made, on various occasions, to check for these very elements. I have followed the subject, at first, with total skepticism, since the early to mid seventies. However, with each factual presentation, i.e., Three-D photo-graphy, investigation of cloth type and age of cloth, the types of seams sown, the pollen found in its folds and the impossibility to reproduce the image today. Certainly, it couldn’t have been a forgery from a thousand years ago. I have become a little more accepting with each report, of the
possibility of authenticity. It is certainly a grave cloth from the First Century A.D., and demonstrates an accurate depiction of crucifixion practiced by the Romans. Whether it is Christ’s or not, I am not ready to fully concede. However, in that argument’s favor is the fact that no one can explain the image as having been produced by anything other than a momentary, intense light source. I’m close, I’ll confess. But, I’m not quite there. I’ve been looking at this, with varying levels of interest since the seventies. Who knows, maybe, in another forty years, I might be ready to give a solid opinion, one way or another. Of course, in forty years, I may know for sure.
The Ark Noah built
The biggest and best archaeological discovery, equal to anything and greater than most would be the unquestionable discovery of the Ark Noah built. Many expeditions have sought for it and studied every story, investigated every sighting, reported and questioned every alleged eyewitness they could find. There have been some very interesting air and satellite pictures shot and investigated for thousands of hours. Expedition, after expedition has turned up empty. However, many believe it is only a matter of time before it is found. I will say, if it is still there and if God has a purpose in it, it will be found. I said “still” because, I believe it was. Ararat is the location for its landfall, according to the Book of Genesis, and since that is part of the Bible whose author is God, it is absolutely correct. These are all interesting topics and worthy of our study and contemplation. But, they are not the most important issues we could choose to follow or pursue. The whole Bible, Old and New Testaments were given to us by God for the common purpose of introducing Himself to mankind; of drawing mankind to Himself; of leading them (us) into a personal relationship with Himself, through the sacrificial, personal suffering of His own Son, culminating in His death; of bringing us to faith, granting eternal life and a life satisfying to us and to Him. Each one of these elements from antiquity and not just, for us, a source for curiosity. They are each an element of the complete picture of God’s fellowship and leadership, of His intense love, to the point of personal sacrifice to draw us unto Himself and the demonstration of His unique and ready salvation, even from the very presence of sin.
I’m really not supremely concerned what you thing of these archaeological studies I mentioned. But, I will ask you a question. This is the most important question you’ll ever consider, which is this, What do you think of Christ; do you trust Him for life and eternity; is He your Savior from sin and everlasting death?
If your answer is, honestly, yes, let me ask you a follow-up question. What are you doing, personally, to make Him known, to save lives for eternity? Think about it and answer it honestly. Don’t just say, “that’s between me and God.” I submit, that’s a cop-out. It usually means, “bug-off”. “That’s something I don’t want to consider and have no intention of considering.” I submit and have biblical evidence to say,
that grieves the Holy Spirit and
cuts off His fellowship. Think about that.
