This Week's Bulletin

Renew Your Mind
Brad Harrub, Ph.D.

Before the last spadeful of dirt fell to the ground, scientists already knew that their discovery authenticated specific accounts found in the Bible. And this time, they were willing to say they were 100% sure—something that rarely happens in the field of archaeology.

On December 23, 2004, archaeologists identified what they say is the remains of the Siloam Pool in which Jesus healed a man who had been blind from birth (John 9). In John's account, Jesus anointed the eyes of the blind man with clay and then told him: "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (v. 7). The Bible records that after the man complied with Jesus' instructions, his blindness was cured.

Archaeologist Eli Shukron observed: "The moment that we revealed and discovered this four months ago, we were 100 percent sure it was the Siloam Pool" ("Archaeologists...," 2004). In fact, archaeologists discovered that water still flows through what was once considered a pristine pool used by the Jews for ritual immersions for purification.

Exactly why are the archaeologists from the Israeli government's Antiquities Authority so sure they have found the Siloam Pool? In addition to its location, they also discovered biblical-era coins marked with Jewish writing, pieces of pottery, and even a stone-bottle cork. Roni Reich of Haifa University—one of the excavation leaders—noted: "We have excavated it and dated it very accurately with coins found in the cement which the pool was built of " (as quoted in Tostevin, 2004). The earliest coins to be found dated from the middle of the century before the birth of Jesus.

Reich noted that the stone-lined pool has steps leading into it from all sides. Thus far, one side of the pool, two corners, a part of the esplanade around it, and the water channel leading into it have been uncovered. Archaeologists are currently negotiating with the Greek Orthodox Church, which owns the land, to continue the dig. Amazing, is it not, that weaknesses keep turning up in the evolutionary theory, and yet the Bible continues to be authenticated?

Brad Harrub is an apologist who works full- time with Focus Press and will be conducting a Creation vs Evolution seminar here at Orange Street - Oct. 25-27 (see flyer)

A Marriage Exercise
Every married person can list things they do not like about their spouse. Why not be different? Why not spend the next few weeks telling your spouse the things that you like about them? Try for one for each year that you have been married. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21 NKJV). When a person realizes what a treasure his/her spouse is to them, can the heart not follow?

– Bob Bauer –