{"id":1658,"date":"2014-06-26T19:51:39","date_gmt":"2014-06-26T19:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com\/israelnews\/?p=1658"},"modified":"2014-06-27T11:51:30","modified_gmt":"2014-06-27T11:51:30","slug":"archaeology-and-tradition-are-the-holy-places-really-authentic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com\/israelnews\/archaeology-and-tradition-are-the-holy-places-really-authentic\/","title":{"rendered":"Archaeology and Tradition: Are the Holy Places Really Authentic?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Tom Brennan<\/a><\/p>\n

Pilgrims and tourists to Israel usually have a list of the holy places they want to see and visit. Working with an experienced travel bureau and guide will construct a memorable journey of faith and amazement. But occasionally, the question of \u201cis this REALLY where this event happened?\u201d Did the Savior really do this here? Sometimes archaeology and tradition clash. Added to this are the constant academic discourses and papers, excavations and controversies that archaeologists and scholars bring to the table.<\/p>\n

When it comes to whether or not a holy place is authentic the only answer is \u201cvery possibly\u201d. The proof is even more vague since we have two sources: tradition and excavation. The Land has seen more armies, re-use of building materials, name changes and environmental changes than anywhere else you can imagine. Let\u2019s check some examples and start at the beginning: Bethlehem.<\/p>\n

The Messiah was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem, David\u2019s home. That is in Scripture and even when Herod asked the priests where the Messiah and King was to be born, they all said Bethlehem. The paranoid king sent agents to eliminate any threat to his power using the ancient tradition of killing off anyone who might claim the leadership to the kingdom. Any baby boy two years and under was terminated, Herod was taking no chances and did a thorough job of it.<\/p>\n

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