LIMITATIONS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH

WE AFFIRM THAT:

  1. The Bible is not true because archaeologists say it is true.
  2. Archaeology is a subjective and frequently inexact science.
  3. Archaeology can only study what is found (often what people have stumbled onto) and what has not been destroyed by the ravages of the centuries.
    The gathering of data is limited by two factors: what people can find and what has survived. (see below)
  4. Only a minute fraction of the clay tablets discovered so far have been translated.

 

ARCHAEOLOGY'S TWO MAJOR LIMITATIONS:

  1. The limited number of things that have survived.
    We must remember that most ancient writings and histories have been destroyed.
  2. The limited number of things people can find.
    Many or most things that have not been destroyed are well-hidden in the ground--either under modern cities never to be uncovered, or in remote areas that have eluded detection.

 

CONCLUDING COMMENTS:

There is a great deal of "scholarly" arrogance among archaeologists. Many are very secretive and private about their work. They sometimes emit the notions that (1) they alone are the arbiters of religious truth, (2) they deal with "facts" rather than with "faith" --which is patently false, (3) and that no one is entitled to a valid Biblical opinion unless it passes the criteria of a bona fide archaeologist.

Sidenote: It has also been pointed out that archaeologists are generally poor writers. Their works are among the worst quality as far as good, clear, expository writing is concerned. I concur with this in my (limited) exposure to archaeological journals and books.

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