Historical value

[micah7:9]

Why does,  or does,  the Bible from Genesis 2 to Malachi have to be of actual historic value?
How does that actual history assist in my faith? Do I need the ark of Noe to be found on a mountian?
Or the Ark of the Covenant be found by Indiana Jones?
Is my faith made stronger by a real David and Goliath? Or the real walls of Jericho falling down with the wail of many horns? 
Do I not believe that the waters of the Red Sea were parted for the children of Israel to walk across on dry land just because some historical, anthropologist said hummmm I dont know?
No sir, I dont need those stories, I do need the types and shadows of what they say and mean in the spirit, to understand how my/mans history came  to believe that Jesus is the Christ.
Do I need those books to learn from YES! Do I treasure every word? YES! Do I believe they happened? YES! But I do not need any of mans proof, with all his intellegence and smarts, to tell me MY GOD LIVES.

[Nathan]

I think there may be more to it than just proving my faith is accurate.  I think all those things really happened and those were real men to show us that in spite of our weaknesses, disobedience and shortcomings, God still proclaims us to be righteous.  Even though Abraham took matters into his own hands when the promise of Sarah to have a child didn't happen according to his time frame, he sleeps with the maid and the results of that led to a great divide in his natural family . . .when you read about him from the New Testament perspective, all you see is that he is a great patriarch.  Same with David.  It's the same with just about every character in Scripture.

They were all natural people who had natural experiences with natural flaws.  And yet God led them into greatness through his will and purpose.  In seeing that, it encourages me to know that in spite of my "self" getting in the way, God still calls me righteous.

But at the same time, I'm like you, I couldn't care less whether they find Noah's ark or not.  My faith isn't built on tangible things.  My faith is built on personal experience.  I can't explain it all, nor would I even try.  The moment I think I have God all figured out is the moment I've lost sight of God.  If the israelites couldn't figure out how to define what the physical manna was, how on earth can we claim we can define all of what the spiritual manna is?

[thinktank]

Why does,  or does,  the Bible from Genesis 2 to Malachi have to be of actual historic value?
How does that actual history assist in my faith? Do I need the ark of Noe to be found on a mountian?
Or the Ark of the Covenant be found by Indiana Jones?
Is my faith made stronger by a real David and Goliath? Or the real walls of Jericho falling down with the wail of many horns? 
Do I not believe that the waters of the Red Sea were parted for the children of Israel to walk across on dry land just because some historical, anthropologist said hummmm I dont know?
No sir, I dont need those stories, I do need the types and shadows of what they say and mean in the spirit, to understand how my/mans history came  to believe that Jesus is the Christ.
Do I need those books to learn from YES! Do I treasure every word? YES! Do I believe they happened? YES! But I do not need any of mans proof, with all his intellegence and smarts, to tell me MY GOD LIVES.

You don't need them, no but every weapon counts. If you believe that God parted the red sea, then it makes it easier to believe in times of testing when scoffers etc deny the resurection of Jesus.
Also the more miracles you believe that God is able to do, I belive it helps in our daily life to overcome our challenges.
As for scientists etc, discovering things I think it's great for our faith when we finally see with our very eyes the things we have believed in for so long, just like when we finally meet Jesus face to face.

[shawn]

Why does,  or does,  the Bible from Genesis 2 to Malachi have to be of actual historic value?
How does that actual history assist in my faith? Do I need the ark of Noe to be found on a mountian?
Or the Ark of the Covenant be found by Indiana Jones?
Is my faith made stronger by a real David and Goliath? Or the real walls of Jericho falling down with the wail of many horns? 
Do I not believe that the waters of the Red Sea were parted for the children of Israel to walk across on dry land just because some historical, anthropologist said hummmm I dont know?
No sir, I dont need those stories, I do need the types and shadows of what they say and mean in the spirit, to understand how my/mans history came  to believe that Jesus is the Christ.
Do I need those books to learn from YES! Do I treasure every word? YES! Do I believe they happened? YES! But I do not need any of mans proof, with all his intellegence and smarts, to tell me MY GOD LIVES.

I agree wholeheartedly.  While it might serve of value to the nonbeliever I'm not sure of the value to the believer.  That's why I never understood creationists and their stance.  I don't need to take a literal interpretation of the Bible and try to explain away scientific findings.  Ultimately, I know God lives and his Holy Spirit within me.  That is the only evidence I now need. 

[Nancy]

hi there Micah,

I love it when an archeologist or scientist finds real events that could have been the explaination for certain biblical events.

For example, the 10 plagues of Egypt, were contributed to a volcanic eruption at the time when it may have happened.  And according to this theory, which i believe, it was the Sea of Reeds that parted not the Red Sea and this was because of a tsunami that caused the tide to go right back into the sea so the Israelites could cross, but when the Egyptians came along, a tsunami would have been so powerful that it swept them away!
And also have you read what happened after the cruxificion up until 70 Ad. That is truly awesome. 
I must say that when i read these things my faith is strengthened.

Godbless
Nancy

[WhiteWings]

About the Reed sea are many views. One of them is an ice-bridge.

And also have you read what happened after the cruxificion up until 70 Ad. That is truly awesome.
Tell me. Tell me.  :Gtantrum:
I think it started with another volcanic eruption (like Sodom)

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: We don't NEED it, but it sure blesses me.....

[Nathan]

About the Reed sea are many views. One of them is an ice-bridge.

And also have you read what happened after the cruxificion up until 70 Ad. That is truly awesome.
Tell me. Tell me.  :Gtantrum:
I think it started with another volcanic eruption (like Sodom)

This particular time frame really intrigues me as well because very little has ever been openly discussed.  I have read that there was a lot of abnormal activity going on around the city of Jerusalem as well as the temple leading up to the arrival of the Roman soldiers.  I would love to have seen some of the writing from first hand accounts of what all went on then.

[Nancy]

Well WhiteWings,

In the Talmud (i don't know which one) it says that there were two lots in a bag or something similar and the black one came up every year. A white stone never came up. Then the temple doors opened by themselves and the rabbis felt that this was a bad omen. There were two other ones that i'm not exactly sure of but if you google unusual occurences in temple leading up to 70 ad, you should find out more.

Godbless
Nancy

[WhiteWings]

Thanks Nancy. The other two are here: http://www.tentmaker.org/forum/index.php?topic=8336.0
I was hoping for more events to add to my list.  :winkgrin: