Introduction
Biblical archeology is something that has been in the public domain for quite long; it is a topic that dates back in history. Moreover, the subject of biblical archeology is something that has remained a center of controversy for a long period; it is hated and loved by equal measures. Proponents of the subject have varied reasons why they support it, same to its opponents.
Biblical archeology is just like any other form of archeology, however, it is primarily meant for recovery and the scientific investigations of artifacts and other material remains that shed light on the ancient cultures. Furthermore, biblical archeology illuminates the past periods and descriptions contained in the bible; both old and new testament.
Just as aforementioned, biblical archeology encompasses both Old Testament, also referred to as Tanakh and the New Testament, sometimes called the apostolic gospel. Nonetheless, biblical archeology does not only involve the history of the old and new testament, it also involves the history of the cosmogony; the history of the Judeo-Christians and associated religions.
Biblical archeology majorly focuses on the holy land. The exact location of the holy land is believed to be Israel even though the Western perspective of the primary location of the holy land is the Middle East. Since time immemorial, Israel has been believed to be the holy land.
Biblical Archeology is not different from any other form of archeology, the characteristics are more or less the same, however the variation now comes in on the fact that biblical archaeology is more specific and primarily deals with biblical artifacts. Just the same way any other historical archaeology involves radio carbon dating and exaction, is the same way biblical archaeology engages these aspects.
Biblical archaeology has been termed as a polemical topic; there are numerous views that have been placed regarding its nature and purpose. Even though it’s primarily meant for biblical studies, it is also part of history, just like any other archeological excavation; the fact that it is biblical does not exempt it from being part of archeological history.
It has been quite challenging and very difficult to understand what biblical archeology is all about, what it entails and its primary objective. To effectively understand and perhaps fully appreciate what biblical archaeology is all about, there are two basic and most crucial concepts one must familiarize with.
The two basic concepts are the major and most crucial milestones to understanding biblical archeology; one must fully acknowledge that archaeology is just but a scientific approach, an approach that needs scientific reasoning, while on the other side, the bible should be viewed as object; an object for scientific research. Archeology is basically a science; a science of excavation and carbon dating. Even though archeology is universally accepted as a science, it is not so in the aristo lean sense but in the sense of knowledge; a modern knowledge
Most importantly, archeology is both a science and an art; an art as it involves the search for artifacts and material remains, while a science as it involves scientific research and carbon dating. Biblical archeology started at the same period with general archeology; this explains why there is no major difference between the two.
Furthermore, the development of biblical archeology basically relates to the discovery of most important ancient artifacts; the primary aim of both archaeologies is just one, to find material remain. Biblical archaeology in the Middle East; the holy lands, has made some of the most crucial and reputable findings as far as biblical literature is concerned.
The primary object of this paper is to find out the contributions made by biblical archeologists to the biblical literature. Since time immemorial, there have been biblical archaeologists who have been working round the clock to discover material remains in regards to biblical studies. In this study, William Foxwell Albright was singled out as an outstanding biblical archaeologist. Albright was born on May 24, 1891 and died on September 19, 1971. Albright was a renowned scholar, an outstanding archaeologist, philologist, biblical scholar and most importantly an expert on ceramic.
Albright was born in a small town of Coquimbo, Chile, South America. He was the eldest child of the then American evangelical missionary Finley Albright and his wife Zephine Viola It is his father’s work that inspired him to become a biblical archaeologists. Being a missionary’s child, he was more occupied with biblical works, just like the father.
It was from his father’s work that he developed interest in biblical studies, only to become a famous world renowned biblical archaeologist. During his college time, Albright was a brilliant student who did exemplary job while schooling. He was a former student of Upper Lower University.
Discussion.
William Foxwell Albright is considered to be one of the greatest biblical archaeologists of all the time. His works relating to excavation of biblical artefacts was exemplary, not only was he dedicated to this work but had vast knowledge on the area too. Some of his works still remain a major breakthrough in biblical literature. He was a distinguished scholar who spent most of his time studying biblical literature and excavating various archaeological sites from the holy land. Albright dedicated a better part of his life studying biblical literature and doing vigorous research on the subject.
Albright became known in the field of biblical archaeology in the 20th century where he made enormous contributions to biblical archaeology. It is reported that from the 20th century till his death in the year 1971, he came up with various findings relating to biblical literature. Today, it is quite difficult to study any given piece of biblical literature without encountering Albright’s work. He was a distinguished member of the reputable biblical archaeology movement; a movement that was form with a primary aim of fostering biblical archaeology works. His membership at the movement was widely covered and greatly acknowledged by prominent personalities across the globe.
Holding to the belief that several biblical accounts were false and very inaccurate, several Christians across the World backtracked as there was no valid reason that indeed the biblical stories were true; this was a belief that was spread by several German archaeologists who were considered to be very superior and perhaps had vast knowledge on biblical archaeology.
Although biblical archaeology was something that was preserved to the German archaeologists, Albright was able to prove them wrong by confirming that the biblical accounts that were greatly viewed as inaccurate were indeed accurate; this was a major breakthrough made. In his research, he systematically arrived at a conclusion that the biblical accounts pertaining to the Israelite history were greatly accurate.
However, even after Albright’s research regarding biblical accounts story, the Germans continued to criticize the biblical accounts stories. Later on, it emerged that Albright’s findings were indeed true only that the German archaeologists were engaging him in a supremacy battle; the German archaeologists stand remained contrary to that of Albright forever.
The criticism is still evident to date. During his works, Albright engaged various personalities, who, out of his direction are greatly notable in the biblical study arena. He taught several students on the topic of biblical archaeology and biblical literature as general. George Ernest Wright for example was Albright’s student. He closely followed the directives given to him by his mentor; William Foxwell Albright, aped his lifestyle, headed his advice and closely followed his footsteps to become the leader of the biblical archaeology movement.
Furthermore, it is not only Ernest who thrived from his teachings, there are several other students in the field of biblical archaeology who rose to fame from his guidance. William Foxwell Albright trained, mentored, inspired and worked with several students who had interest in the field of biblical archaeology; from his guidance, these students developed their careers and consequently rose to fame (Mackim, 2013).
Nonetheless, he has trained and worked with the most reputable first generation of the World class Israeli archaeologists. The Israeli archaeologists are regarded as the first class archaeologists since they come from the holy land; it so means that they have vast knowledge and expertise of what constitute biblical archaeology. Working with these archaeologists meant that someone had done exemplary job in the field, had thorough knowledge and sound expertise.
Joseph Fitz Myer, Raymond E. Brown, David Noel Freedman and Frank Moore Cross are just but a few of Albright’s students. These students have made enormous contributions to the biblical archaeologist’s society; courtesy of their mentor. The aforementioned served as the biblical archaeology movement society, however, most of them were at one point the leaders of the society.
In so doing, Albright directly or indirectly contributed to the development of the society, through his advice and from the leadership of his students and himself; it’s unforgettable that at one point he was a leader of the movement too. The various capacities in which he and his students served the movement was a major milestone to the movement’s development.
Through William Albright’s mentorship, another great student was found. The famous John Bright was appointed the professor of the then Old Testament and the Hebrew interpretation union. The union was formed to come up with the best and most accurate interpretations of the bible from the Hebrew language. During that time, there were various interpretations that rose leading to relatively confusing versions of the bible.
For the purposes of uniformity and accuracy in translation, the seminary union was formed, it was headquartered in Richmond under the leadership of John Bright. It’s from this union that bible translation became uniform; a true reflection of the original version of the bible. Furthermore, John Bright did not stop his distinguished job at the seminary union, he continued with his hard work and became the first distinguished American historian and a founding father of the Old Testament society. These are some of the contributions William Foxwell Albright made during his works as biblical archaeologists.
Some of the most influential scholars on the field were alumnus of Albright’s school. At some point in history, any student who did not come from Albright’s school was not given a wide reach as compared to those who came from that school; it was believed that quality mentorship was only offered by William Foxwell Albright.
Further to these, William Foxwell Albright created a more advanced discipline of biblical archeology. It is this discipline that was regarded as a modern approach to biblical literature as it heavily relied on scientific methods and proven science. Today, biblical archaeology is a major topic that is regarded as a basic tool for modern day archaeologists; without it, one can never understand the basics of biblical literature.
Several universities across the World are currently teaching the unit, thanks to its establishment by William Foxwell. The contributions made by Albright towards biblical literature studies are just enormous, he is regarded as one of the most proficient scholars of biblical studies not only in America alone but the whole World. He is regarded as the father of modern day biblical archaeology; even the greatest archaeologists across the World still hail him for the perfect job.
Conclusion.
Biblical archaeology is a dynamic field that is characterized by intense research. Archeology is a field that is continuously growing; new advancements are being made on daily basis. Technology is an aspect that is greatly affecting biblical archeology, just as aforementioned, biblical archaeology is just like any other form of archaeology; in the same way general archaeology involves the recovery of material remains, so is biblical archaeology. Nonetheless, both types of archaeology both biblical and general archaeology, involve the same activities, that is, excavation of material remains and radio-carbon dating; a scientific dating method that uses carbon to estimate the age of artefacts.
There are several biblical archaeologists who have done tremendous research to make the discipline a success. These archaeologists vowed to the fact that biblical literature was an issue of controversy and attracted divergent views. The views held on the subject led to sharp criticisms, especially from the German archaeologists who believed that biblical accounts were largely inaccurate. However, from the great researches done by Albright, this belief was thwarted; Christians restored their faith.
The great job done by Albright towards the development of biblical literature has made him one of the most reputable biblical archaeologists. Today, the unit of biblical archaeology is done in various university; this a great honor to the fallen hero, his great work will forever remain.
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