![\"The](\"https:\/\/davearmstrongbooks.store\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/the-word-set-in-stone-cover.jpg\")
<\/a>\nThis is my sequel or \u201cVolume 2\u201d to my book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back Up the Bible<\/em><\/a> (Catholic Answers Press: March 15, 2023, 271 pages). These articles \/ would-be chapters continue the goal laid out in the Introduction<\/a> of The Word Set in Stone<\/em><\/a>:<\/p>\n I deal with specific objective matters in relation to the text of the Bible that can be addressed by archaeology or other forms of science, starting with premises (for the most part) that Christians and non-Christians accept in common. What I\u2019m doing is \u201cdefeating the defeaters\u201d offered up by biblical skeptics, anti-theist atheists (who specialize in and constantly focus on criticizing the Bible, Christians, Christianity), and archaeological minimalists.<\/p>\n If skeptics argue, for example, that a particular city wasn\u2019t in existence<\/em> when the Bible says it was, then, in response, I seek archaeological data to prove or at least offer strong evidential support for the biblical view. This approach defends the Bible\u2019s accuracy. Skeptical arguments against biblical accuracy are often incorrect and fallacious.<\/p>\n This book deals with objective, historical issues that we can analyze through the means of scientific (mostly archaeological) analysis. It\u2019s what Christians are often asked to do: give solid evidence for what we believe. [slightly modified excerpt]<\/p>\n We have a huge task in defending Holy Scripture in light of a rapidly growing, militant and condescending anti-theist brand of atheism and an aggressive anti-traditional secularism in general. They\u2019re demanding (not always sincerely!) \u201cevidence\u201d and those who would or do believe want to see reason and science harmonized with faith, and I believe apologists can provide both things, and solidly so, in terms of arguments that can withstand scrutiny.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve devoted years of my life and career to providing plausible answers to these sorts of questions. The answers theists and Christians can provide are, I believe (perhaps surprisingly), solid and strong, very exciting, faith- and confidence-building, and informative. I\u2019ve never enjoyed apologetics more than I have in researching, engaging in dialogues, and writing about these issues. And I am learning (tons of things!), too, as I pass on what I have learned to others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n I. Creation of the Universe<\/strong><\/p>\n 1) Eternal Universe vs. an Eternal God<\/a> [4-16-20]<\/p>\n 2) Philosophy & \u201cWho Created God?\u201d<\/a> [7-12-21]<\/p>\n 3) \u201cGod of the Gaps\u201d<\/a> [6-24-18]<\/p>\n 4) Something Rather Than Nothing<\/a> [9-3-18]<\/p>\n 5) Creation \u201cEx Nihilo\u201d<\/a> [8-28-20]<\/p>\n 6) Why a Universe at All?<\/a> [11-5-21]<\/p>\n 7) God, Empiricism, & Atheist Demands for \u201cEvidence\u201d<\/a> [10-9-15]<\/p>\n 8) Atheist Demands for \u201cEmpirical\u201d Proofs of God<\/a> [10-27-15]<\/p>\n 9) Empiricism: Only Valid & Objective Knowledge?<\/a> [7-18-17]<\/p>\n 10) Science, Logic, & Math Start with Unfalsifiable Axioms<\/a> [1-6-18]<\/p>\n 11) Cause of the Big Bang: Atheist Geologist Challenged<\/a> [4-21-17]<\/p>\n 12) Argument from Design<\/a> [8-25-20]<\/p>\n 13) God the Designer?<\/a> [8-27-20]<\/p>\n 14) Albert Einstein\u2019s \u201cCosmic Religion\u201d: In His Own Words<\/a> [2-17-03; greatly expanded on 8-26-10]<\/p>\n 15) Theistic Argument from Longing or Beauty, & Einstein<\/a> [3-27-08; rev. 3-14-19]<\/p>\n 16) \u201cQuantum Entanglement\u201d & the \u201cUpholding\u201d Power of God<\/a> [10-20-20]<\/p>\n 17) Atheism: the Faith of \u201cAtomism\u201d<\/a> [8-19-15]<\/p>\n 18) Clarifications of \u201cAtomism\u201d for Offended Atheists<\/a> [8-20-15]<\/p>\n II. Creation of the Earth, Life, and Adam & Eve<\/strong><\/p>\n 19) Genesis Contradictory (?) Creation Accounts & Hebrew Time<\/a> [5-11-17]<\/p>\n 20) Genesis 1 vs. 2 (Creation)<\/a> [5-17-20]<\/p>\n 21) Biblical Flat Earth & Cosmology<\/a> [9-11-06]<\/p>\n 22) Flat Earth: Biblical Teaching?<\/a> [9-17-06]<\/p>\n 23) Bible Teaches a Flat Earth?<\/a> [3-31-22]<\/p>\n 24) Old Earth, Flood Geology, & Uniformitarianism<\/a> [5-25-04; rev. 5-10-17]<\/p>\n 25) Catholicism and Evolution \/ Charles Darwin\u2019s Religious Beliefs<\/a> [8-19-09]<\/p>\n 26) Catholics & Origins: Irreducible Complexity or Theistic Evolution?<\/a><\/p>\n 27) Why I Believe in \u201cNon-Miraculous\u201d Intelligent Design<\/a><\/p>\n 28) \u201cNon-Interventionist\u201d<\/a> Intelligent Design<\/a> [6-21-19]<\/p>\n 29) The Borders of Science & Theology<\/a><\/p>\n 30) Mutations & Evolutionary Change<\/a> [1-16-23]<\/p>\n 31) Bible Espouses Mythical Animals?<\/a> [9-10-19]<\/p>\n 32) Dragons in the Bible?<\/a> [3-4-22]<\/p>\n 33) Physics Has Disproven Souls?<\/a> [8-16-18]<\/p>\n 34) Spirit-God \u201cMagic\u201d; 68% Dark Energy Isn\u2019t?<\/a> [2-2-21]<\/p>\n 35) Defending the Literal, Historical Adam of the Genesis Account<\/a> [9-25-11]<\/p>\n 36) Adam & Eve of Genesis: Historical & the Primal Human Pair<\/a> [11-28-13]<\/p>\n 37) Adam & Eve & Original Sin: Disproven by Science?<\/a> [9-7-15]<\/p>\n 38) \u201cWhere Did Cain Get His Wife?\u201d<\/a> [3-7-13]<\/p>\n 39) How Cain Found a Wife<\/a> [6-22-18]<\/p>\n III. Noah\u2019s Flood \/ Abraham & Other Patriarchs <\/strong><\/p>\n 40) 969-Year-Old Methuselah (?) & Genesis Numbers<\/a> [7-12-21]<\/p>\n 41) Biblical Size of Noah\u2019s Ark: Literal or Symbolic?<\/a> [3-16-22]<\/p>\n 42) Noah & 2 or 7 Pairs of Animals<\/a> [9-7-20]<\/p>\n 43) Do Carnivores on the Ark Disprove Christianity?<\/a> [9-10-15]<\/p>\n 44) Flood: 25 Criticisms & Non Sequiturs<\/em><\/a> [3-8-22]<\/p>\n 45) Straw Man Global Flood<\/a> [8-30-22]<\/p>\n 46) Noah\u2019s Ark: Josephus, Earlier Historians, & Church Fathers (Early Witnesses of the Ark Resting on Jabel [Mt.] Judi)<\/a> [3-16-22]<\/p>\n 47) Genesis 10 \u201cTable of Nations\u201d: Authentic History<\/a> [8-25-21]<\/p>\n 48) Table of Nations, Interpretation, & History<\/a> [11-27-21]<\/p>\n 49) The Tower of Babel, Archaeology, & Linguistics<\/a> [4-13-23]<\/p>\n 50) Sodom & Gomorrah & Archaeology: North of the Dead Sea?<\/a> [10-9-14]<\/p>\n 51) Archaeology & a Proto-Hebrew Language in 1800 BC<\/a> [1-31-23]<\/p>\n 52) Abraham, Warring Kings of Genesis 14, & History<\/a> [7-31-21]<\/p>\n 53) Philistines, Beersheba, Bible Accuracy<\/a> [3-18-22]<\/p>\n 54) Egyptian Proof of Hebrew Slaves During Jacob\u2019s Time<\/a> [2-17-23]<\/p>\n 55) Evidence for Hebrews \/ Semites in Egypt: 2000-1200 B.C.<\/a> [5-3-23]<\/p>\n 56) Biblical Hebrew Names with an Egyptian Etymology<\/a> [5-9-23]<\/p>\n 57) Pharaoh Didn\u2019t Know Joseph?!<\/a> [5-26-21]<\/p>\n 58) 13th c. BC Canaanite Iron Chariots<\/a> [7-16-21]<\/p>\n IV. Moses & the Exodus <\/strong><\/p>\n 59) Did Moses Exist? No Absolute Proof, But Strong Evidence<\/a> [6-14-21]<\/p>\n 60) Moses Wrote the Torah: 50 External Evidences<\/a> [12-14-22]<\/p>\n 61) Archaeology, Ancient Hebrew, & a Written Pentateuch (+ a Plausible Scenario for Moses Gaining Knowledge of Hittite Legal Treaties in His Egyptian Official Duties)<\/a> [7-31-21]<\/p>\n 62) Does the Pentateuch Claim to be Inspired Revelation? + Do the Several Third-Person References to Moses in the Pentateuch Prove That He Didn\u2019t Write It?<\/a> [12-14-22]<\/p>\n 63) A Pharaoh\u2019s Death (Ex 2:23) & Exodus Chronology<\/a> [7-27-22]<\/p>\n 64) When Was the Exodus: 15th or 13th Century B.C.?<\/a> [4-15-23]<\/p>\n 65) Did the Hebrews Cross the Red Sea or the \u201cReed Sea\u201d?: And Which Specific Body of Water Did They Cross, According to the Combined Deductions and Determinations of the Bible and Archaeology?<\/a> [5-9-23]<\/p>\n 66) Manna: Possibly a Natural Phenomenon?<\/a> [5-5-23]<\/p>\n 67) In Search of the Real Mt. Sinai (Fascinating Topographical and Biblical Factors Closely Examined)<\/a> [8-16-21]<\/p>\n 68) Acacia, Ark of the Covenant, & Biblical Accuracy<\/a> [8-24-21]<\/p>\n 69) The Tabernacle: Egyptian & Near Eastern Precursors<\/a> [9-8-21]<\/p>\n 70) No Philistines in Moses\u2019 Time?<\/a> [6-3-21]<\/p>\n 71) Moses, Kadesh, Negev, Bronze Age, & Archaeology<\/a> [6-10-21]<\/p>\n 160) Moses & Water From Rocks: A Closer Look<\/a> [1-7-24]<\/p>\n 164) Parting of the Red Sea & Lake Erie Seiches<\/a> [11-28-25]<\/p>\n V. Joshua\u2019s \u201cConquest\u201d,<\/strong> Israel\u2019s Enemies, & the Judges<\/strong><\/p>\n 72) Jericho: Did the Walls Collapse Due to Resonance?<\/a> [5-1-23]<\/p>\n 73) Joshua\u2019s Conquest: Rapid, Always Violent, & Total?<\/a> [5-1-23]<\/p>\n 74) Hazor Battles \u201cContradictions\u201d? (Including Possible Archaeological Evidence for the Battle of Deborah in Judges 4)<\/a> [3-23-22]<\/p>\n 75) \u201cThe Sun Stood Still\u201d (Joshua)<\/a> [4-16-20]<\/p>\n 76) Arameans, Amorites, and Archaeological Accuracy<\/a> [6-8-21]<\/p>\n 77) Edomites: Archaeology Confirms the Bible (As Always)<\/a> [6-10-21]<\/p>\n 78) 12th c. BC Moabite & Ammonite Kings<\/a> [7-19-21]<\/p>\n 79) \u201cHigher\u201d Hapless Haranguing of Hypothetical Hittites (19th C.)<\/a> [10-21-11; abridged 7-7-20]<\/p>\n 80) Archaeology & Judges-Era Lead & Tin Trade<\/a> [1-26-23]<\/p>\n 81) Samson\u2019s Death-Scene: Archaeological Confirmation<\/a> [3-27-23]<\/p>\n 82) Anachronistic \u201cIsraelites\u201d?<\/a> [5-25-21]<\/p>\n 83) Jericho & Archaeology: Replies To Atheists<\/a> [12-30-23]<\/p>\n VI. Kings Saul, David, & Solomon & Subsequent Kings of Judah & Israel<\/strong><\/p>\n 84) How Did David Kill Goliath? <\/a>[5-19-20]<\/p>\n 85) Goliath\u2019s Height: Six Feet 9 Inches, 7 Feet 8, or 9 Feet 9?<\/a> [7-4-21]<\/p>\n 86) Ziklag (David\u2019s Refuge from Saul) & Archaeology<\/a> [3-29-23]<\/p>\n 87) King Solomon\u2019s \u201cMines\u201d & Archaeological Evidence<\/a> [3-24-23]<\/p>\n 88) Archaeology & Solomon\u2019s Temple-Period Ivory<\/a> [1-28-23]<\/p>\n 89) Solomon\u2019s \u201cImpossible\u201d (?) Wealth & Archaeology<\/a> [4-25-23]<\/p>\n 90) Solomon\u2019s Temple and its Archaeological Analogies (Also, Parallels to Solomon\u2019s Palace)<\/a> [4-25-23]<\/p>\n 91) The Queen of Sheba, Solomon, & Archaeology<\/a> [4-27-23]<\/p>\n 92) Archaeology & King Rehoboam\u2019s Wall in Lachish<\/a> [1-31-23]<\/p>\n 93) King Ahab, Queen Jezebel, & Archaeology<\/a> [4-7-23]<\/p>\n 94) King Hezekiah: Exciting New Archaeological Findings<\/a> [12-13-22]<\/p>\n 95) Archaeology & Ten (More) Kings of Judah & Israel<\/a> [4-20-23]<\/p>\n 96) Archaeology & First-Temple Period Bethlehem<\/a> [4-6-23]<\/p>\n 97) Archaeology Confirms Dates of Five Biblical Battles: Battles at Beth She\u2019an (c. 926 BC), Beth Shemesh (c. 790 BC), Bethsaida & Kinneret (732 BC), and Lachish (701 BC)<\/a> [2-6-23]<\/p>\n 98) Assyrian King Sennacherib, the Bible, & Archaeology<\/a> [4-17-23]<\/p>\n 161) Solomon\u2019s Rebuilding Of Gezer & Archaeology<\/a> [4-24-24]<\/p>\n 162) Hazael\u2019s Sack of Gath (2 Kgs 12:17) & Archaeology (+ Scientific Corroboration of the Biblical Data Regarding Kiln-Baked Bricks)<\/a> [4-24-24]<\/p>\n VII. The Prophets, Job, the Fall of Jerusalem (586 BC), and the Return to Israel<\/strong><\/p>\n 99) Prophet Elijah and Archaeology<\/a> [4-13-22]<\/p>\n 100) Continue reading (5 more)<\/summary>\n
Continue reading (184 more)<\/summary>\n