As we approach the end of our fiscal year, FaithSearch International is facing a financial challenge. I want to take a few moments to ask for your help. (Click here to make an online donation.) Recently, I’ve been thinking about why we’re doing what we’re doing here at FaithSearch—proclaiming the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere. And about our desire to continue doing it. As a donor-supported ministry, we depend on God to stir the hearts of His people to provide the resources to do this work. Which is why I’m writing this. Here’s what I’ve been thinking. (more…)

It is always fun to visit new places and to meet new people. It is a special blessing to be recognized and greeted by old friends. This last trip had a little bit of both. (more…)

Friends of FaithSearch gathered on May 1, for a $50-per-plate benefit dinner in the dining hall and chapel of Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, MN. Our theme was “Be Prepared,” based on 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer…”, using a spring planting theme for the decorations and other touches throughout the evening. (more…)

You wouldn’t know it by the recent lack of activity on this blog, but there has been a LOT going on at FaithSearch. With this post, we undertake to begin publishing brief, more-frequent, nearer-real-time updates (if not, then at least weekly!) from the ministry.
To this end, some of the initial flow of posts will reflect a backlog of information: recent international trip reports; new challenges facing the ministry; ongoing thoughts on presenting the Gospel with evidence…
First down the chute will be a write-up of our recent Benefit Dinner and Fundraiser. So, until then, please stand by.

We have been throwing out a lot of information lately. Why is archaeology so important to understanding the Bible as History?

“The role of modern archaeology since its inception in the middle of the nineteenth century has been very instrumental in lending credibility to the history of the Bible. But it can’t tell us everything. What limitation does archaeology have as it relates to the Bible? (more…)

Last week we learned that the people of the New Testament are historical figures, not fictional characters. But what about their actions? Are the events and the settings reported in the New Testament real events and real places? (more…)

The first place for us to look in determining whether the New Testament is history or mythology is its cast of characters. Are the people the Gospel writers refer to real people?

Take a second to read Luke 3:1-2. (more…)

Having come through the test for integrity with flying colors, the question now facing the New Testament is this: What if it’s just a novel? Let’s face it—if a huge cache of manuscripts for the Iliad was discovered today, giving us roughly the same amount of manuscript resources that we have with the New Testament, and allowing us to reproduce the text of the Iliad as accurately as the New Testament, it still wouldn’t change the fact that the Iliad is a story based in mythology. (more…)

We have looked at the first two questions in our three part test for integrity in ancient literature. If you missed them, they are located here and here.

Our final question might be the most difficult one to understand: How accurate are the handwritten copies of ancient manuscripts? (more…)

Having discussed the number of NT manuscripts that have been discovered, we now move the the second question in our test of integrity: How early are the manuscripts?

What we are asking with that question can be paraphrased: “How many years have passed from the original writing to the date of the manuscript?” How can you measure the date of a manuscript? (more…)