CONSIDER THIS: How the Cyrus Cylinder Demonstrates the Bible’s Historical Accuracy
No, this isn’t an artist conception of what Jesus looked like. This is an artist conception of what Cyrus, ruler of the Medes and Persians and conquerer of Babylon, may have looked like.
Among the most common claims of critics of the Bible is that it isn’t trustworthy as an historical source for things that happened in the ancient world. As with so much of such criticism, the facts tell a complettely different story.
Take the Cyrus Cylinder, for example. This landmark archeological find was discovered in 1879 and it can be viewed today in the British Museum. If you don’t know who Cyrus was, he was the King of the Medes and Persians, and the guy who conquered Babylon at the height of its wealth and power.
But that’s just the beginning of the significance of Cyrus, as Kyle Butt of the Apologetics Press explains in the following short video. Thanks to the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, the Bible tells us stuff about this guy nobody else does (And by the way, if you wonder about such Isaiah issues as who “really” authored the 66 chapters of the book and the likelihood of post-event “prophecies,” check this out):
PREVIOUSLY ON HILLFAITH:
Did Jesus Really Exist?
No, Christians Did Not Create Jesus by Copying Horus
Three Big Reasons You Can Trust What the Bible Says
this is just silly. No one doubts the historical accuracy of the Bible. Or not many do. People will quibble about the details but the over all arc is intact. It’s the mythological accuracy (ie the miracles) that come into question. George Washington existed. He did not throw a silver dollar across the Potomac, nor never tell a lie and probably didn’t chop down the cherry tree. The reality of Jesus Christ is noted. The miracles are open to debate.
One thing that perplexes me about Christians are why they think it is necessary to justify their faith. The only other ” religion” that seems to do that is Scientology. Jews don’t try to justify why they are Jewish, Buddhists don’t try to justify why they follow the Buddha. Muslims don’t try to justify why they believe Mohammad is their prophet. Hindus don’t go into long explanations about why they believe what they believe. Go back in time. The Greeks, Romans, Egyptians didn’t try to justify the belief in their gods. Only Christians seem to try and continually justify why they believe to others, and maybe themselves.
Do you try to justify why you like chocolate ice cream more than strawberry? Who does that? It’s tiresome and unnecessary. You don’t have to prove your belief to anyone. Nor does anyone have to prove theirs to you.
In a sense you are not just trying to prove your belief but to prove it is superior to what others believe and by them believing what they do, they are inferior to you and your belief. It’s the quiet part that you don’t say out loud. But it’s there. You stupid people who believe is X. Hah, just goes to show how dumb and stupid you are. You should be smart like me and believe the way I do. Know who also does that? Atheists.
If your belief makes you happy and you are content with it, that’s good enough. Stop trying to prove an unprovable point. You come across like salesman trying to convince someone to buy a used car. Christianity is a great religion. Leave it at that.
Essays please. I can read faster than YouTube talking heads can talk. YouTube is a time waster and intellectually draining.
Micha, the sad reality is that if we are to reach the next generation, it will have to be with videos. We are entering an age where kids get their info from 30 second Tik-tok videos. I don’t doubt that there will be a swing back, but for now we have to deal with educating the next generation with their limitations.