Don't expect too much from Archaeology.

Last week I think my favorite Old Testament Survey lecture involved learning what archaeology is, why it's important, and learning what it can and cannot do for believers.

Archaeology is the recovery and study of human history through the study of physical remains and material culture. We can use it to learn about Biblical events/history, and the culture of the people who lived in different time periods.

 
One example of the benefit of studying archaeology is learning about the remains of altars used throughout Israel in Biblical times.

When we think about altars, we probably think about our church altar (especially if we grew up in a traditional protestant church). We probably don't think about the different types of altars mentioned in the Old Testament that were significant to Israelite worship. But archaeology helps us get rid of our cultural concepts and replace them with the true, ancient near east concepts.

One example is what was called the "Horned Altar," mentioned in Exodus 27:2 and Leviticus 4:34. Discovery of these altars gives us a picture of what they look like, (shown above).

Archaeology corroborates historical accounts and the reliability of the Biblical record. But archaeology cannot prove the theology of the Bible. We know these altars existed as we have physical proof. But the discovery of the altars does not prove the theology behind sacrifices or worship done using altars.

Just a small example, but an important one, in realizing what archaeology can and can't do for us.