Bible

Both Martin Luther and Galileo Galilei were considered bold and dangerous because of their outspoken beliefs that went against the world’s accepted theories and ideas. These beliefs allowed the Church to maintain power with no objections and did not question the Church’s authority. To question the Church meant you questioning both the government and God, an unthinkable act. While Galileo discussed science and insisted that his intentions are good, and Luther dissected the contradictions between the Church‘s position and the Bible and clearly calling out the Church‘s misinterpretations, both men were feared and punished for going against the status quo and putting the Church‘s power on the line. Galileo Galilei found that the sun was the center of the system, an idea that is widely known and accepted today. However, the moment Galileo‘s discovery was found out by the Church, Galileo was no longer a friend but a foe.

Galileo explains in the letter that professors and scientists argued with Galileo’s findings with “scattered testimonies from Holy Scripture” rather than evidence and scientific results (261). Galileo even mentions that the Scriptures they had used had nothing to do with the subject. Galileo hints at believing the uproar coming from the Church and their followers, as well as their rebuttal, was ridiculoust However, he also looks at the argument from the Church’s point-of—view and even provides the reader with excuses as to why they refuse to accept his findings He claims that maybe they are just “confused by the fact that certain other propositions” go against “common opinion” and are true (261), After explaining what has happened between him and society (and the Church) after revealing his findings, he then announces his beliefs on the connection between his findings and God.

He says that he doesn’t think God, “who gave us senses, reason> and intellect“ would have wanted us to “postpone using these gifts” (263). He is convincing his reader that God wants us to use these gifts to find answers. He also goes on to explain that God purposely did not provide us with all the answers in Scripture and that ignorance and opposition is expected due to human’s fear of the unexplained, Galileo is simply explaining that his findings may not be in Scripture but that doesn’t mean his findings go against God’s word. He is arguing that he is using the very talents God gave him to discover a mystery God purposely did not answer. Galileo’s letter is meant to defend his findings, to explain that his discovery and his faith do not conflict. Martin Luther’s letter was not simply an explanation of his beliefs but an accusation directed at the Church.

Within his first few paragraphs, Luther states that the makeup of the spiritual and temporal states is “an artful lie and hypocritical device” (par 7). While he supports his belief with scripture, his initial accusation is direct and harsh. He later mentions that holding priests and bishops to a level that prevents them from being punished by God’s wrath is wrong as well, “whether it strikes popes, bishops, priests, monks, nuns”, and any other religious figure (par 11). After acknowledging that all people should be held to the same standard no matter their religious status, Luther then goes on to mention that the Pope is included in this way of thinking. He claims that “the Pope cannot alone be right” because if he were, it would be “a devilish and damnable heresy (par 14).

Martin Luther directly states that the Pope cannot be who the people answer to when it is God that is their Savior. He is not subtle when it comes to telling the Church’s leaders where their place is in faith and in society. In a sense, he is telling the Church that they are putting themselves on a spiritual level that is at, or at least near, the level at which the people hold God. Martin Luther believes that everyone is on the same level and no one should have privileges because they hold a position within the Church. Everyone worships the same God and no one is better than another, including the Pope. This belief is a direct attack on the Church’s beliefs and the way they operate. He questions their power and authority and uses reasoning from scripture to argue. This most likely caused not only anger but fear that his beliefs would begin to spread and threaten the position of the Church.

In the end, both men need the authorities on their side so they don’t get punished for going against the status quo. Having royalty on their side could keep them out ofjail and could help spread their beliefs and findings In order to get their support, Galileo and Martin use different forms of persuasion to attempt to get the leaders on their side. Galileo uses a more innocent strategy in the sense that he assures that his findings are because of God rather than against him He assures the reader that he is a follower of the Church and God and that his findings reflect thaL Martin Luther uses logic and reasoning to get his point across He uses what he knows of Scripture and the Church to encourage the reader to see his side as the right side. Both men use God as a source of authority which could make it harder for one to argue with the writings, While Galileo‘s scientific findings and Martin Luther’s outspoken beliefs are very different from one another, both men were in need of support from royalty and threatened the Church’s authority with the use of logic and knowledge

It tells the story of the birth and death of a savior (God’s son, Jesus Christ) and the many miracles he performed wrought his life. However, to some people it is so much more. Some people claim that the Bible disguises a history of something that many people fall to recognize. Vehicles in the sky, angels, and even strange abductions are all detailed within the pages of the Holy Bible, and they reveal a fascinating possibility; the possibility that it is not only the sacred text of Christianity, but also documented evidence of the world’s very first unidentified flying object (OF) and alien encounters.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Bible is the dozens of passages that meme to Indicate some sort of “vehicle” In the sky, or what might now be referred to as a OF. One of the most notable stories in the Bible is that of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Exodus 13:21-13:22 describes a mysterious “pillar of cloud” that guides the Israelites on their Journey, stating “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and Wagner 2 by night In a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. (The Holy Bible New International Version) Imagine being from biblical times and trying to describe a OF without having the modern words to do so. One might describe a large object hovering overhead as being kind of like a cloud. However, clouds do not lead people to safety, and they do not emit a fire-like glow by night, so it is clear that these verses are not referring to a literal cloud.

By realizing that this object hovering above the Israelites and leading them to safety could not have been a literal cloud, it must be considered that there was some kind of advanced technology assisting them on their Journey. In biblical runes, this type of advanced technology was certainly not of earthly origin, and that can lead to only one conclusion; If there was, In fact, some kind of object hovering above the Israelites, lighting their way, and leading them to safety, the technology had to have come from a planet other than Earth.

In the book of Ezekiel, there Is again a reference too “cloud. ” Ezekiel describes his encounter in verse 1:4 by saying “l looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north-?an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by a brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal… He continues in verse 1 6 describing “This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like chrysalises, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. (The Holy Bible New International Version) In these passages Ezekiel has seen a huge metallic looking cloud surrounded by bright flashing lights which appears to be a “wheel intersecting a wheel”. Toys Wagner 3 In comparing what Ezekiel witnessed with a modern day OF sighting, the similarities are astounding. The normal description off OF is pretty standard. Eyewitness counts usually focus on the high rate of speed at which the object travels; the bright, flashing lights; the shiny, silvery, or metallic color; its large size; and the shape as being disc shaped with a round center.

By comparing eyewitness descriptions such as this with the description that Ezekiel gave, it is clear that the two descriptions are uncannily similar. Buffo’s travel at a high rate of speed; the “cloud” that Ezekiel saw came out of the north like a “windstorm. ” Buffo’s have bright, flashing lights; Ezekiel “cloud” had “flashing lightning” and was “surrounded by a brilliant light. ” A OF is metallic in appearance, Just like the “glowing metal” of Ezekiel “cloud. ” A OF is disc-shaped with a round center, or one might describe it as “a wheel intersecting a wheel. ” In this passage, Ezekiel has seen something that he has no word for.

The object that he saw was something that he could not identify, so he has to describe it to the best of his ability instead. The object that he saw was also clearly flying out of the north like a “windstorm”. Therefore, by definition, Ezekiel has seen a OF. One of the most well known stories in The Bible is the birth of Jesus Christ and the here wise men who followed a star to Bethlehem to see the newborn King. Matthew 2:9 says that “After they had heard the King, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star they were overjoyed. (The Holy Bible New International Version) Stars do not move and stop, Just as clouds do not lead people to safety. Looking up at the night sky if is often very easy to mistake an airplane for a star. However, they obviously did not have airplanes in biblical times, Wagner 4 o whatever was leading the wise men to baby Jesus had to have been something that was not of this world. The Holy Bible also includes passages that tell of God’s angels visiting earth to bring messages to our biblical ancestors. To many these accounts of angels descending from the heavens act as further proof of alien existence. “By definition angels are otherworldly.

Angels are extraterrestrials. They’re not from this planet. So really, by definition, E. It’s and angels are the same. Now our modern conceptions of E. It’s have changed, but go back thousands of years when angels lived among our biblical ancestors. They didn’t call them E. It’s. They called them angels, but they knew they were not of this world… Not of this planet. ” (Barnes) Bill Bribes, author and publisher of OF magazine said in an interview on the History Channel’s series Ancient Aliens. When asked to describe an angel most people would describe a being that looks very much like a human with wings on its back.

However, the actual biblical text rarely describes angels as having bird-like appendages, which causes many people to wonder where this depiction of angels as having wings originated. Jason Martial, author of Knowledge Apocalypse, revises an interesting theory. “If they saw someone, a human being or humanoid, flying in the skies they could only give it a natural review… Giving it wings. I don’t think they actually had wings. It was ancient man’s way of saying they had the power of flight” (Martial) he states in an interview for an episode of Ancient Aliens.

Erich Von Daniel, author of Chariots of the Gods? Adds “Use the word extraterrestrials Instead AT ten word AT angel . Use ten word AT a leader AT extraterrestrials Instead AT archangel. If you change a few words in the old text, a few key words, you change the ensue of the old text. ” (Daniel) People in biblical times did not speak the way we do in this modern day and age, not to mention the fact that details Wagner 5 sometimes get lost in translation. By understanding this it becomes quite clear that the words angels and aliens could quite possibly be referring to the same thing.

The Bible also includes accounts of “fallen angels”. Genesis 6:1-6:3 states “When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. (The Holy Bible New International Version) The book of Enoch, found among the Dead Sea scrolls in the late sass’s, gives a similar account. Enoch 6:1-6:3 states “And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto them beautiful and comely daughters.

And the angels, the children of heaven, saw them and lusted after them, and said to one another: ‘Come, let us chose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children. ” The book of Enoch also refers to these angels as “watchers” or “guardians of the sky’ (Ancientness. Org). The children born from these unions of the sons of God and the daughters of man produced the Oenophile, which the book of Enoch and the Bible both refer to as a race of giants. However, the word Oenophile has also been translated to mean “mighty men” (Dictionary. Com).

Ancient astronaut theorists agree. They suggest that the term refers not to the Nephritis’s size, but to their super- human abilities. Giorgio A. Outclass, publisher of Legendary Times magazine presents the question “Were they giants or is that the wrong word and the correct word should be extraterrestrial? Because then, in my opinion, it makes more sense cause so far I have not seen an original fossil of a giant bone. ” (Outclass) The fact that these fallen angels, or “watchers” were obviously not from this planet is already proof that, by definition, they are aliens.

By considering the possibility that the translation of “mighty men” Wagner 6 refers not to the physical size of these beings, but to their super-human strength or intelligence it can only further substantiate this claim. Enoch himself, it seems, had many interactions with these angels, and with God. Chapter 5 of Genesis is a written account of the lineage from Adam to Noah. It also states how old each person lived to be before they died, all except for Enoch. The account of Nosh’s life in chapter 5 of Genesis is very different from the accounts of his ancestors and predecessors.

Genesis 5:21-5:24 states “When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. ” (The Holy Bible New International Version) The first lien abduction case is widely reported to be that of Betty and Barney Hill in 1964. However, ancient astronaut theorists disagree. They point to this passage in Genesis as proof that Enoch was the very first alien abduction case.

Chapter 5 of Genesis makes it quite clear that Enoch did not die like his other relatives. It is also clear that he did not Just go missing. He walked with God, and then God took him away. In 2nd Kings, chapter two there is again mention of a person being taken away without along. Verse 11 AT chanter two tells ten story AT Elijah Delving taken up to nave Ana ascribes that as Allies and Elijah were “walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to Heaven in a whirlwind. (The Holy Bible New International Version) Again, in biblical times they did not have a word for this “chariot of fire” that descended down from the skies and took Elijah away. Wagner 7 They could only describe what they saw in their terms, so they called it a chariot, meaning a So clearly, what is being described in this passage is a OF; it was an object that they could not identify flying through the skies, and it took Elijah p into Heaven. In the book of Psalms there is a very interesting description of God. Chapter 18 gives the account of how God saved David from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

Verse 18:6 states “In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. ” Verses 18:7-18:10 continues by saying “The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. (The Holy Bible New International Version) These passages provide a description that sounds astoundingly similar to that of some kind of aircraft. “The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook”; the aircraft is landing, vibrating the earth as a helicopter or airplane landing would. “Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it”; a picture of a space shuttle taking off depicts the very same image scribed here, only in this case it is happening during landing. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet”; again there is a reference to a cloud, and God was apparently on this “cloud”, or vehicle. “He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind”; one definition of Wagner 8 cherubim is “a celestial being”, so the description here is quite clear. God mounted this celestial vehicle and flew up into the sky. The Holy Bible was written as a true account of what our biblical ancestors witnessed. These are not fairy tales or made- p stories.

The ancient people who wrote the books of the Bible fully believed in everything they were writing, Just as modern man would Journal his own experiences as accurately as possible. However, our biblical ancestors did not have the modern terminology to explain the things that they saw as we would today. They explained what they saw as accurately as they could using terms that made sense to them. As author and ancient astronaut theorist Erich Von Daniel said “If you change a few words in the old text, a few key words, you change the sense of the old text. Daniel)” Our biblical ancestors did not know the word OF.

Instead, they described a strange pillar of cloud which followed them, lit their way by night, and led a nation to safety. They described a star that led them too savior. They tell of a strange metallic “wheel intersecting a wheel” that descends from the heavens like a “whirlwind”. Just as they did not know the word OF, they did not know the word extraterrestrial alter. I nesses Delves Tanat ascended Trot ten sky on great clouds and in great chariots of fire were clearly much, much more advanced than them, so ancient man felt that they had to be Gods, angels, guardians of the sky, or watchers.

To the handful of heroes I so highly regard, to choose one is a difficult task. From creative fictional works, like Indiana Jones, to very impacting historical figures, like Theodore Roosevelt, Rocky Balboa is a notable fictional character influencing my character. He is an iconic American Hero that impacts people’s lives. He Is a well- known for epitomizing the underdog story and Influencing the minds and hearts of many. The depth and reliability he hold true to his values make him a superior to other characters in fictional works.

Rocky Balboa, a man of masculinity, Is hardhearted with a vulnerability that allows people to see his true self. Here Is a man of no worth who Is a victim of self-inflicted misfortune with nothing to his name, but a dream; a dream to make his life better. This feat Is not accomplished overnight, through determination, hard work, and perseverance, he Is able to make his dream a reality. HIS dream Is modest for It was to not become the best, but be able to amount to the best. He is able to go the distance and amount to something creating a Journey all can relate to. Stallion creates a character that inspires and enables the dreams of there.

He exhibits values that I want to emulate. His character is one that set an example for me. Overtime I watch a Rocky movie, he inspires me to be a better man. He is my inspiration for being a person that feels like they have no place in the world. His ability to go the distance set a precedence in my minds and heart. Rocky changed me into a better man. His actions spoke to me, making me want to go the distance. He gives me a reason to live, giving me hope. He aspires to make something of himself when he, of all people, is given a chance to make his dream a reality.

What he stands for is what I too would like to stand for. He taught me an important life lesson that impacted me so much when he said, “Life anti all about sunshine and rainbows, it’s a cruel and nasty place that will beat you to your knees and leave you there if you let it; But it isn’t about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward” (Rocky Balboa). This quote carries meaning and resonates to me. He allows me to always move forward with life. Therefore making him an inspirational fictional character for all.

Therefore, taking Christ and comparing him to the equally gallant and exciting ere Beowulf from the poem “Beowulf,” demonstrates the ways that the two figures share numerous similar qualities. In many ways, “Beowulf” has countless connections to the well-known Christian bible. The most obvious relation to the bible that “Beowulf” has is the link that the character Beowulf shows to Jesus Christ. Beowulf functions as the Jesus Christ figure in the poem, with explicit associations between the two heroes. Jesus Christ is known to be the savior to his people. He Is kind and assists those In need.

Beowulf shares this characteristic with Christ. Beowulf comes to Warthogs to offer neighborly help with no selfish Intentions In defeating the monster that has brought chaos to the Danes. In many ways Beowulf has been considered a savior to the Danes, and was highly regarded. The connection with Christ and Beowulf Is apparent with this presentation of Christ and Beowulf character. Jesus Christ and Beowulf also share common fates. When all but one disciple abandoned Christ, he was left alone to die by the crucifix. There is a connection to this biblical event when Beowulf is an elder fighting the dragon.

All of his comrades left him to die, with the exception of Wigwag. These events bond the two figured together, and further prove Beowulf characterization duteous Christ. Christ also is destined to be at a constant battle with Satan. Beowulf Is similar to this with the fact that he must also constantly battle satanic creatures such as Greened, Grenade’s Mother, and the Dragon. The link between the two figures Is thus further proven and Is apparent In this epic poem. Beowulf and Christ together are two tremendously comparable figures In the poem “Beowulf,” and the Bible.

Anglo-Saxon pagan ideals contrast heavily with the Biblical allusions that Beowulf brings to the poem, and yet bring Beowulf and Christ closer together as one analogous character. Christ and Beowulf bring comfort to their people, and serve as saviors to them as they valiantly battle and sacrifice their lives to the evil Satanic powers. However, despite the alleged respect and honor that the characters’ people have for them, they both lose their lives due to betrayal. Jesus is left to die by reason of his traitorous disciples, and similarly Beowulf is abandoned in Attlee by his cowardly fellow warriors.

Both figures met the same fate, and lost their lives. These events not only connect Beowulf to Christ In the poem, but also show that the poem has many Biblical allusions within Its context. Furthermore, while many people can easily be Inspired by Jesus Christ, many have yet to understand the similar aspects that Beowulf shares with Christ. It Is clear that the widely known Bible has influence everywhere in the world- among people and literature. Jesus Christ is acknowledged in a multitude of other famous literary works.

Nelson Glueck was born on June 4, 1900 in Cincinnati, Ohio. During the 70 years of his life he was a well-known Rabbi and archaeologist until his death on February 12, 1971. At the age of 23, he was ordained as a Reform rabbi by the Hebrew Union College and four years later was awarded his Ph.D. at Jena, Germany, for his dissertation on the biblical concept of hesed (the Hebrew term for goodness or divine kindness). Until World War II Gluek worked with William Foxwell Albright at the American School of Oriental Research in Jerusalem (ASOR,) and Albright’s excavation of Tell Beit Mirsim. Glueck himself served as director of ASOR, as well as having a faculty position at HUC in Jerusalem.

After graduating from Cincinnati Public Schools, he atteneded the University of Cincinnati where he received his bachelor’s degree. Glueck went home in 1931 and married Helen Ransohof Iglauer, a medical student at the University of Cincinnati who was a professor of medicine. Their only son Dr. Charles Jonathan Glueck was a noted physician as well.

Glueck continued his studies in Germany for four years and received his doctorate degree from the University of Jena in 1926. For the next two years (1927-28) he would continue his studies at the School in Jerusalem. While studying in Palestine he became interested in archaeology, returning twice (1930 and 1932) to take part in an excavation of Tell Beit Mirsim, probably Biblical Debir (Kirjath-Sepher).

“During World War II Glueck served in the Office of Strategic Services (the precursor of the CIA), examining possible escape routes for the allies through the desert, in anticipation of the German army under General Rommel, reaching Palestine. Fortunately, Rommel’s advance was halted by the Allies in Egypt.” He created the HUC Biblical and Archaeological School in Jerusalem in 1963, the same year that he appeared on the cover of Time magazine. The institute was renamed in 1972 to the Nelson Glueck School of Biblical Archaeology. Glueck after the war became president of the Hebrew Union College, and then president of the combined HUC-Jewish Institute of Religion, a position he held until his death in 1971. This is the same colledge that ordained him as a Rabbi.

As president Glueck oversaw the merger of HUC with the Jewish Institute of Religion, expanding the institution based out of Cincinnati to now include schools in New York, Los Angeles, and Jerusalem. He played a vital role in the creation of the Schools of Jewish Communal Service and was the founder of the School of Biblical and Archaeological Studies in Jerusalem, in honor of him they now bears his name.

Excavation Sites and Methods of Excavation

The Bible was his map for excavations and, in turn, the excavations shed a bit of light on the Bible. Sheldon H. Blank and H. Ginsberg note, “A scientist he was, yet a fragment of a wall or a potsherd could evoke an emotional as well as an intellectual response. He had a love affair with the Land (the “heartland”), he uncovered not the history but the drama of people.” “This makes sense seeing Glueck’s service as a rabbi and studies of the Old Testament.

Glueck excavated several sites in 1950 he excavated the remains of the civilization of the Nabataeans in Transjordan, this was a copper-mining industry that was located at the shore of the Red Sea. This showed how the Negev could support a such a large population due to the use of irrigation techniques using the Red Sea.

Therefore what Glueck says about Negev is, “The length and width of the Negev were interconnected with roads marked by fortresses, villages, way stations and watertight cisterns.” The erecting of fortresses over the Negev served as an excellent source of protection and saw villages flourish, and agriculture grows, and watertight cisterns surrounded the Negev which made possible the emergence of villages and flocks in areas where they would otherwise not be present.

Glueck also spent a lot of time working to define a history for the Negev and wrote: “The Archaeological History of the Negev” based on his findings. Glueck notes that there were a series of civilizations there and that the Negev is positioned between Canaan, Arabia, and Egypt which made it a strategic location. He indicates that the different civilizations experienced no significant changes in the climate and that no climatic changes have occurred within the last ten thousand years at least.

Chalcolithic pottery has been located in the Negev which indicates that a civilization existed there during that period. After this civilization disappeared, the land was unused for almost a thousand years until the Middle Bronze I period (between 21st and 19th centuries BC). “This civilization was agricultural as evidenced by “beehive” stone houses that are located on slopes of hills located above land useable for farming.” “Cup holes” carved in limestone were found that indicate they were used for grinding grain and this evidence has been placed in MB I by the stories of Abraham in the Old Testament.

Glueck Excavations

Archaeology discovered by Glueck indicates a range of civilizations such as the Nabateans who left a substantial amount of pottery behind. Nabateans were known for their worship of multiple deities and are traditionally identified as being pagan which makes the discovery of Khierbet Et-Tannur (a temple) significant. Glueck notes that while the entire site had not been excavated at the time of his writing, “A whole pantheon of hitherto unknown Nabataean deities was found in the temple that had become their grave.” This temple sits on top of a hill with evidence of staircases leading up steep areas and leading Glueck to believe that goddesses were honored at the peak of this hill and those like it.

In 1938 Glueck also did an excavation on the northern third, during the excavation of the site he found a location of forty-five rooms. “The mound’s most impressive structure was uncovered in the northwest corner of the excavated area, a building complex consisting of three roughly square units at the northern end and three larger rectangular rooms extending to the south. ” The latter are 7.40 m in length and of varying widths (2.00-3.00 m). The building measures 13.20 m in length (north-south) and is 12.30 m wide on the north side and 13.20 m wide on the south side. The exterior walls are 1.20 m wide; interior walls vary between 0.95 and 1.05 m. The walls were preserved to a height of 2.70 m. The building is almost entirely of mudbrick construction. Its bricks measure ca. 0.40 x 0.20 x 0.10 m and were laid in a roughly “header and stretcher” fashion.

They found 2 horizontal rows of wooden beams that could be consider as construction to strengthening the walls. they had semicircular holes which proved this was a result of the fire and it also confirm the construction and used of wooden beams as written in I Kings. This way of construction with support beams is referenced in I Kings 6:36 which reads, “He (Solomon) built the inner court with three courses of hewn stone and one course of cedar beams.” Wooden beams, halved in the case of Tell el-Kheleifeh, were embedded across the widths of the walls, creating a stronger bond. The semicircular holes were all that remained after the timbers were consumed in a destruction by fire.

These features were also discovered elsewhere in the site’s architecture, notably in Room 49. Eight installations, interpreted as hearths or ovens, were found in this casemate unit. Slag was also found at this site which Glueck believes indicates that Tell el-Kheleifeh was used to remelt globules of copper ore retrieved through metallurgical processes in the Wadi Arabah smelting sites to shape them into easily salable ingots or pour the molten metal into molds. “Ezion-Geber was also a marketplace from Arabia to Palestine. Support for this fact came when pottery was found that had horn handles and mat bases which is associated with the Calebites, Kenites, Rechabites, Yerahmeelites, dated to Iron Age I-II. “

Furthermore, the building was identified as a stone house granary and had the means of smelting and fire damage present further supporting the results of the fire. Glueck notes, “The strong winds which constantly blow from the north in the Arabah furnished the draft necessary for the proper functioning of the furnaces.” A fortified outer wall protected the building, and while Ezion-Geber I was probably destroyed by Shishak, it was rebuilt with a gateway reminiscent of Jehosophat of Judah (871-849 BC).

Glueck also led important excavations in Ezion-Geber where it is believed that Solomon’s naval base was located. Excavations began in March 1998, and it took three months to uncover one-third of the site. Pottery was discovered at this site along with other findings but its important to note is that the pottery varied. A piece of Edomite pottery was discovered carrying the name “QoS” which could reference a kind of a god. This indicates that this area had been occupied over a long period of time.

An article published in The Biblical Archaeologist in 1965 entitled “Ezion-Geber” finds Glueck arguing that Tell el- Kheleifeh is Ezion-Geber. In this article he indicates that Tell el-Kheleifeh is represented by a low small mound that “is located approximately in the center of the north shore of the Gulf of Aqabah, midway between Jordanian Aqabah at its east end and Israeli Eilat at its west end.” Today, it sits five hundred yards from the shore and is estimated to have been at least three hundred yards away many millennia ago during its first occupation in 10th century BC. The location appear to be consistent with the Bibles description in I Kings 9:26 of “beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.”

Glueck further state that, “The conviction that there has been comparatively little change in the northern shoreline derives partly from our discovery of a copper smelting site on a low shoreline foothill at Mrashrash, now incorporated into Eilat, immediately overlooking the northwest end of the Gulf of Aqabah.” And that the explorations in Eastern Palestine began to appear in 1933, opening new views on the movement of peoples in the Transjordan area in antiquity. Landmarks in his archaeological odyssey were King Solomon’s port city Ezion-Geber and his copper mines; the unexpectedly numerous settlements in the Negev; Khirbet Tannur and the civilization of the Nabataeans; the systematic excavation of Tell Gezer.

Glueck excavated area at the end of the 1940 season was ca. 80 m north-south, by 72 m east-west. The corner of a nearby garden wall was chosen for the site benchmark, established at 3.99 m over the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba. The highest point of the tell was southeast of its center (Square N:17) at +2.84 m, corresponding to the absolute height above sea level of +6.83 m. The deepest excavated level, reportedly to virgin soil, was in Room 113 ( 1.53 m) below benchmark level. The difference in height between the deepest wall foundation of the western casemate perimeter and the top of the preserved walls was 4.37 m.

Although, Tell el-Kheleifeh is not considered a conspicuous site today. Its appearance is very familiar to that of the many surrounding hillocks. A surface survey in August 1980 revealed that, the area of extant architecture is little more than 12 square meters and a few mudbrick walls have been preserved to a height of 1.5 m. “The fragmentary remains could not be located on the plans prepared by Glueck’s architect J. Pinkerfeld. It is likely that the existing walls represent an architectural assortment from the various periods of occupation. “

They appear to be located south-southeast of the site’s largest structure. The excavator’s northern, eastern, and western dumps provided the reference points for location. Although there are no visible remains of the most distinctive architectural elements, a wall in the northern section of preserved architecture, with two horizontal rows of apertures, were interpreted initially as flues.
Glueck’s excavation area is where the mound has been disturbed at several points by modern military installations, most notably an observation tower toward the southern end of Its foundations

appear to have cut undisturbed levels to a depth of 1.5 m. Several trenches have also been cut into the northern and western sections of the site, and these disturbances produced an abundance of finds, including a stamped Rhodian jar handle and a bronze trefoil arrowhead. The material remains gleaned from this survey provide a valuable complement to the 1938-40 assemblage.

Discoveries

Biblical scholars have debated for years whether or not the Edomites ever had a true kingdom, or was a mining industry. In the 1930s, Nelson Glueck made a claim to have found King Solomon’s mines, citing, among other things, evidence of mining trails, as well as slag mounds. However, Glueck’s claim was largely dismissed after British excavations in the 1970s and 80s seemed to show that extensive mining didn’t come to the area until hundreds of years after Solomon’s rule. A consensus emerged that the Bible was heavily edited in the 5th century BCE, long after the events, while British excavations of the Edomite highlands in the 1970s-80s suggested the Iron Age had not even come to Edom until the 7th century BCE.
Levy, Director of the Levantine Archaeology Lab at UCSD and associate director of the new Center of Interdisciplinary Science for Art, Architecture, and Archaeology (CISA3), inferred that data from the first large-scale stratified and systematic excavation of a site in the southern Levant ,gave evidence that complex societies were indeed active in 10th and 9th centuries BCE. Which brings us back to the debate about the historicity of the Hebrew Bible narratives related to this period. Glueck discoveries in Faynan/Edom got laughed at, but this recent discovery has vindicated him.
Biblical Impact

Glueck believed that the Hebrew Bible contains historical memory, but one that cannot be proven. He felt that the spirit of the Israelites was still alive in modern Israel, instilling that belief in both his students and his colleagues. Today, our research paradigms may differ from those of Glueck’s day, but his enthusiasm and scholarly integrity remain with us always. The range of Glueck’s excavations speaks volume and will echo through the sands of time.

He have certainly paved the way for Biblical archaeology to memmic and gave believers more resources to study outside of the Bible. Archaeology cannot be used to prove a Biblical account, however, it definitely can be used to assert the existence of a certain nation at the same time in history. Through Glueck work and the excavations performed by him, believers now have the abilty to research further and take a deep dive into a rich history.

Conclusion

Glueck work not only laid a strong foundation but it also paved the way in a since to how archaeology is an understatement, providing believers with a broader knowledge and understanding. Through human beings like Nelson Glueck, archaeology has emerged and will continue to grow in a positive way. The works of Glueck continue to ring true and set a precedent for research that every area on the face of the earth, be it outwardly ever so waste and empty, has a story behind it which the inquisitive sooner or later will attempt to obtain. Well put statement by Glueck himself in the relationship of the Bible to archaeology. He writes:

“As a matter of fact, however, it may be stated categorically
that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical
reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made
which confirm to clear outline or in exact detail historical
statements in the Bible.And by the same token, proper eval-
uations of the biblical descriptions has often led to amazing
discoveries. They form tesserae in the vast mosaic of the Bible’s
almost incredible correct historical memory.”

Glueck put his conviction into practice when he sought to locate King Solomons’s long-lost port city of Ezion-Geber. The memory of its location had been in Glueck words “snuffed out.” like the flame of a gutted candle.” Glueck began by consulting 1 Kings of the Bible that documented this site. The biblical statement said it was located beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea in the land of Edom (1 Kings 9:26;10:22). The Bible served him as a guidebook in his explorations, and his explorations shed light on the Bible. An example we can all learn from. Not that he believed archaeology could or even should lend support to the supreme spiritual values and ethical norms which are native to the Bible.

These have their own manifest value. Glueck patience and persistence in his work makes his discoveries and works worth remembering. His dedication and the contribution he has made to the field of archaeology is a valued resource for believer and future archaeologist. The Bible is the inspired and accurate Word of God and God often confirm His Word through mankind. Therefore, we should compare the Scriptural records against the archeological discoveries uncovered at these sites where many of these thrilling events of the Bible actually occurred. The results of these detailed investigations are available for all to examine.

Bibliography

• The Nelson Glueck School of Archaeology, “Our founder: Nelson Glueck (1900-1971)”, The Nelson Glueck School of Biblical Archaeology (2010), (accessed October 8, 2018).
• Albright, William F. “Nelson Glueck in Memoriam.” Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, no. 202 (1971): 2-1. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1356266. (accessed October 8, 2018).
• Glueck, Nelson. 1961. “The archaeological history of the Negev.” Hebrew Union College Annual 32, 11-18. ATLASerials, Religion Collection, EBSCOhost (accessed October 8, 2018)
• Ezion-Geber Nelson Glueck Excavations at Tell el-Kheleifeh 1965 AD,
  http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-kadesh-barnea-ezion-geber- nelson-gluecks-tell-el-kheleifeh-1965ad.htm (accessed October 8, 2018).
• Solomon’s Fortress at Elat, Aqaba: Tell El-kheleifeh and Jezirit, http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-ezion-geber-elat-aq (accessed October 8, 2018).
• Pratico, Gary D. “Nelson Glueck’s 1938-1940 Excavations at Tell El-Kheleifeh: A Reappraisal.” Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, no. 259 (1985): 1-32.
  doi:10.2307/1356795. (accessed October 8, 2018).
• Nelson Glueck’s 1938-1940 Excavations At Tell El-kheleifeh .., http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-kadesh-barnea-ezion-geber-
  Nelson-gluecks-1938-1940-excavations-tell-el-kheleifeh-reappraisal-gary-pratico
  (accessed October 8, 2018).
• Uncovering The Secrets Of Kahn, Da Vinci And Solomon’s ..,
  http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/science-environment/uncovering-the-secrets
  (accessed October 8, 2018).
• King Solomon’s (copper) Mines? – University Of California ..,
  http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/archive/newsrel/soc/10-22KingSolomon.asp (accessed October
  8, 2018).
• Nelson Glueck, Rivers in the Desert. Farrar, Straus and Cudahy, New York, Grove Press, 1960,
  p. 31
• Price, J. Randall. The Stones Cry Out: What Archaeology Reveals About the Truth of the Bible.
  Eugene, Oreg.: Harvest House, 1997.

Abortion “Unsafe abortions kill 200 women a day according to IPAS, a non-governmental organisation based in the US. IPAS claims that much more needs to be done to make abortion safe and accessible”. * The Bible teaches that human life is different from other types of life, because human beings are made in the very image of God. * The Bible teaches that children are a blessing. * The Bible teaches that the child in the womb is truly a human child, who even has a relationship with the Lord. * Scripture repeatedly condemns the killing of the innocent. * The Bible teaches that God is a God of justice. Scripture teaches people to love. * Life is victorious over death. My conscience tells me abortion is wrong because * All life is sacred-all life on Earth was created by almighty God above, and it is therefore morally wrong to deprive an unborn child. * No one except God can take away life- all life on Earth was created by almighty God above and so it follows that only He can take it away. No one have this right. * Abortion is an anagram of iron boat- I pointing out that abortion is an anagram of Iron boat because, like abortions, iron boats are bad!

They sink straight to the bottom, killing everyone on board. Exactly like what abortive mothers do. Roman Catholic and protestant both have same belief. This is what they believe- * Life begins at conception – the foetus is a human being with human rights. * All Bible teaching on human life also applied to the foetus- especially the commandment “Thou shall not kill”. * If a mother can’t support her baby then it should be adopted. * Life is sacred because it is given by God. * They described abortion as a great evil.

Belonging Essay The concept of belonging is essential in our lives as it brings about acceptance and connection to a person, group or place. Migrants often experience alienation and exclusion before experiencing acceptance and belonging into the new society. Peter skrzynecki portrays migration as a painful, soul searching experience, re forging a sense of personal and cultural identity which is evident in Migrant hostel. On the contrary Peter displays a perspective were the family feels stability and security at their address 10 Mary Street.

The journey to belong often proves to be a great burden; the lack of social stability generates a sense of loss and insecurity leaving migrants struggling to adjust to their new cultural environment. This is established in the first stanza of Migrant hostel through the choice of words such as “sudden/wondering”, which illustrates uncertainty and doubtfulness of what is occurring around them, therefore living erratic and uncertain lives.

The idea of not being in control of their lives is further emphasized in the first stanza with the use of the simile “we lived like birds of passage”, this creates a image of migratory birds and represents how the migrants are at a point of transaction in reality. Peter creates a picture of confinement and imprisonment via the symbol of a barrier “A barrier at the main gate”, represents obstacles to their dream of belonging and exclusion from mainstream Australia.

The Migrants are shown as being powerless and their lives have been marked by disorientation, “unaware of the season/whose track we would follow”, highlights the whole migrant communities uncertainty as “we” is inclusive of all migrants and shows that all migrants experience similar hardship. The irony of the concluding lines “that had only begun or were dying”, accentuates the burden of uncertainty in their lives instead of surviving in their new homeland and experience a new sense of belonging their lives remain in limbo.

However, people eventually experience belonging which is evident in 10 Mary Street as it is a stark contrast to Migrant hostel as there is insecurity while there is a feeling of security in 10 Mary Street due to the family’s long term connection to their home and Australia itself. The repetition of “nineteen years” reinforces how long term residency establishes a place of belonging. Peter also repeats ‘eight years” in St Patrick’s as Peter is pointing out how peoples sense of belonging is strengthened over a long period of time.

Furthermore, the simile “like a well-oiled lock”, symbolizes security and highlights how the family is experiencing security at their family home. The poem also highlights how the family’s strong affinity with the garden represents settlement and permanency in Australia. The simile like “adopted children” emphasizes the parent’s great care and love for their garden and symbolizes their belonging to their new homeland. The act of Peter ravaging the garden represents how the garden provides the family with food and sustenance.

The garden is a representation of their new homeland as Australia also provides them with work, opportunity and a good life. The house is described as part of the family through the personification “the house stands” this portrays the house as another member of the family as it shows belonging and relation to the house. The metaphor “Inheritors of a key that’ll open no house”, highlights the poets appreciation of his family and their home, the experience is cherished however when the house is pulled down, he believes he will never be able to experience such warmth when he moves on in life.

In conclusion, it is evident that a person will establish a connection with a place or person with time, however will go through hardships and feelings of unfamiliarity before finding security and belonging to their new homeland. Migrant hostel emphasizes how life’s adversities can hamper peoples sense of belonging, while 10 Mary Street portrays how people adapt to their new homeland to become “citizens of the soil” and experience stability and security.