Archaeological Controversies and the Bible
Rev. Dr. Charles Page

This is an examination of recent and older controversies as they relate to the Bible and our faith. Some of these include Biblical Revisionist's theories and the historical authenticity of Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) characters such as Abraham and Sarah, Moses, the Exodus, Saul, Kings David and Solomon and others. We will also discuss some New Testament controversies such as the location of Jesus' birth site, the historicity of John the Baptist, the location of the place where Jesus was executed, buried and raised and others. We will also focus on recent controversies over the counterfeiting of artifacts from Biblical periods, the James Ossuary and the newer and more controversial Jesus Family Tomb from East Talpiot.

Finally, although not specifically Biblical, we will take another look at the DaVinci Code and other controversial novels that stimulate, thrill, challenge and anger us.

REV. DR. CHARLES PAGE has a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, a Master of Arts in Anthropology of Religion, a M. Div. and Ph.D. in Biblical Archeology. He is a United Methodist elder and a member of the Tennessee Annual Conference. He is an Associate Director of the Bethsaida Excavation Project and has also worked on excavations in Kursi, Tel Arad, Beth Shean and Har Karkom.

Dr. Page is currently Director of the Institute for Biblical Exploration, Jerusalem-Bathsaida Excavation in Galilee and leads groups excavating there each year.