Evidence for the Bible is a relevant subject for today’s cynical and confused society.
But a fast-moving PowerPoint presentation was heard by over 100 students in Durham University on 8 May. Assuming no prior knowledge of archaeology or the Bible, Brian Edwards showed how the Bible can be authenticated time and again through the evidence of archaeology. His declared aim was to show that the Bible records history accurately.
Dug out of the ground
Moving rapidly through the Bible from Genesis to the New Testament, the presentation focused on some key evidence that has silenced the critics. History, once dismissed because it was only found in the Bible, has been dug out of the ground and has shown the Bible to be true. The kings Sargon, David and Belshazzar are examples of people that were thought never to have existed because records were only found in the Bible, which ‘of course could not be trusted’; evidence then came out of the ground and critics can no longer deny their existence.
A keen Durham University Christian Union hosts an evangelistic/current issue presentation every two weeks over a free lunch. This lunchtime event was well organised and attracted 110 students, some unbelievers that had come with their friends. A John’s Gospel and invitations to find out more were given out.
Thrilled
J.P. Wright, the UCCF staff worker in Durham, commented: ‘I was so thrilled to see over 100 students gathered in the heart of the university to hear a robust defence of the Bible’s reliability. When so many dismiss the claims of Christianity in a heartbeat, an opportunity to respond like this so often gives the gospel a second hearing’
The students listened well and several queued afterwards to ask Brian specific questions. The talk, which closed with a focus on the cross and the empty tomb, together with a subsequent video interview with Brian, were uploaded to the university website to give those who missed the meeting an opportunity to listen.
Touring the North
This event was part of a wider tour presenting Evidence for the Bible in the North East: in Darlington, Whitely Bay and Sunderland. The PowerPoint presentation is based on the book Evidence for the Bible co-authored by Brian Edwards and Clive Anderson, which moves from Genesis to Revelation, with over 200 colour pictures, focussing on evidence that authenticates or illustrates the Bible.
Written with the ordinary person in mind who has no knowledge or interest in archaeology, the reader never has to turn a page to complete an article. In addition there are timelines, full references and indexes and some significant articles at the end. It was published in June 2014 and is now in the third print run.
