Luke And The Census

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. 

 

Luke and the Census

 

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. 

It has been believed that Luke was making up the census or was mistaken about the census surrounding the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-3). The claim is that there was no census, Quirinius was not governor of Syria at the time, and that people did not have to return to their ancestral homes.

 

Here is why the census did happen:

 

Archaeological discoveries prove that Romans had a regular census of taxpayers every 14 years. The procedure began under Augustus which first took place in 23-22 BC or in 9-8 BC.

 

The census Luke was speaking of was the one in 9-8 BC.

 

There is evidence that Quirinius was governor of Syria around 7 BC. The evidence is found by the inscription found in Antioch ascribing Quirinius to this post. It is now supposed that either he was governor twice (once in 7 BC and the other time in 6 AD) or there was two people named Quirinius.

 

A scroll was found on papyrus in Egypt that gives directions to this census. The scroll reads “Because of the approaching census it is necessary that all those residing for any cause away from their homes should at once prepare to return to their own governments in order that they may complete the family registration of the enrollment and that the tilled lands may retain those belonging to them”.

 

Source: Josh McDowell