Some Of Luke The Historians Accuracy

Why is Archaeological Evidence Important?

 

Archaeological evidence is important in a very similar way as Non-Biblical Sources are important. They are both looking at ancient historical items that help us corroborate what the bible says. Although they could be categorized in the same topic, we felt they deserved seperate categories since when people think of archaelology they tend to think of digging for precious clay or rock inscriptions or large physical items; that attest to past events we've passed down over generations. Usually people aren't thinking of documents outside of the bible that attest to Jesus, his followers, and the Bible. 

 

We should find archaelogical evidence important because it can show us how different historical people in the bible, did in fact exist, among other things. It attests to the historical reliabilty of everything that is in the bible. This is especially useful for people when people deny the events in the bible as real historical events. 

 

Some of Luke's Accuracy

 

Luke has often been accused by some scholars in biblical studies throughout time as being innacurate and unreliable. However, time and time again, we have seen more evidence come over time proving that Luke was trustworthy, and so is the bible. Which is why we think it is an important practice in biblical studies to not adhere to ungodly views of the bible or christianity, and instead wait and see, and have faith that God will eventually reveal the evidence we were needing to find in a certain area that caused us doubts. 

 

Here are some examples of Luke's accuracy:

 

Acts 14:6 - Archaeologists at one time believed that Luke was wrong about Lyrsta and Derbe being in Lycaonia and Iconium was not. They based their belief from the writings of the Roman Cicero. However, in 1910, Sir William Ramsay found a monument that showed that iconium was a Phrygaian city. All later discoveries confirm Luke’s claim.

 

Luke 3:1 - Another historical reference made by Luke was that” Lysanias is the Tetrarch of Abilene”. An inscription found Damascus saying “Freedman of Lysnanias the Tetrarch” dated between 14 and 29 AD, which matches the time period.

 

Acts 19:23 - Luke writes of the riot of Ephesus and represents a civic assembly taking place in a theater. An inscription was found describing silver statues of artemis to be placed in the theater of ecclesia (the theater Luke was speaking of). When the theater was excavated and it proved that it had room for twenty five thousand people.

 

Acts 21:28 - Luke writes that a riot broke out in Jerusalem because Paul took a Gentile into the temple. Inscriptions have been found in Greek and Latin saying “No foreigner may enter within the barrier which surrounds the temple and enclosure. Anyone who is caught doing so will be responsible for ensuring death”.

 

Acts 28:7 - Luke gives to Publius, the chief man in Malta, the title “first man of the island”. Inscriptions have been unearthed which confirm he was given the title of “first man”.

 

Source: Josh McDowell