ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE BIBLE

COURSE SYLLABUS
Zion Bible College
OT1232-01
Fall 2010
Tuesdays, 1:45 PM – 2:35 PM & 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Rev. Paul Conway, Associate Professor, MDiv. DMin. Candidate 2013,

Office: Classroom Building 110
Office phone: (978) 478-3457
E-mail: Pconway@zbc.edu
Office Hours
Tuesdays, 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Thursdays 9:00 AM – 10:50 AM

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the birth and development of Archeology as it relates to biblical studies.
Significant excavations of the biblical world are explored along with their relevance to biblical
interpretation. Important figures of the field along with various methods are discussed. Historic
and contemporary scholarship is examined highlighting the differences between liberal and
conservative views on the field.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. The student will summarize the history of biblical archaeology and its development.
2. The student will be introduced to the methods, techniques and definitions used in the field of
archaeology.
3. The student will be introduced to the ethical boundaries and controversies in the
archaeological field.
4. The student will learn about the general divisions of archaeology as they relate to the Ancient
Near East and the Classical World.
5. The student will be exposed to historical figures in the archeology of Mesopotamia, Egypt,
Levant and Mediterranean basin relevant to the dawn and growth of modern archaeology.
6. The student will examine some of the major archaeological finds in the Ancient Near East
and Classical word.
7. The student will be introduced to the hermeneutical value of archaeology as it relates to the
biblical text.
8. Cultivate the skill of exegesis through the discipline of archaeology.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
Hoerth, Alfred, and John Mcray. Bible Archaeology. New York: Knopf Books for Young
Readers, 2005.

The Holy Bible. Suggested Bible Translations: ESV, NASB, NIV,

REQUIREMENTS

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1. Examinations: There will be a mid-term and final examination to measure the students grasp
and comprehension of the material being taught. This will be reflective of all required
material in and out of the classroom.

2. Quizzes: There will four quizzes throughout the semester to measure the incremental
progress of the students learning.

3. Class Presentations and Paper: The presentation will consist of a fifteen min. class
presentation and a paper in Turabian format no less than 5 pages and ten resources. Students
will choose one city and present a summary of the sites excavation history. This will be
followed by a summary of the material culture in historical chronology (civilizations that
occupied the site, their buildings, inscriptions, weapons, tools etc). A third section will
highlight and interpret the evidence where relevant to history and the biblical text. In simple,
what can we learn from what we have discovered. Major finds at the city must be given
special attention for historically understanding and theologically/homiletic enhancement
when relevant. Visual aids are encouraged for the classroom aspect of the project (for
example: power point or internet/DVD videos of scholarly nature. The grade will be based
on both written and verbal presentation. Turabian format is required. The Student must use
Ephriam Sterns ―New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land Vol. I-
V” as one of ten resources. No more than one web resources may be used. At least two
article or journals must be present, preferably from Biblical Archaeology Review, Biblical
Archaeologist or some other relevant journal to the field. This professor recommends a visit
to the Library at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for a broader selection. However,
the two articles mention above are present in our library.

4. Blogging Research for Discussion: Students will post two blogs on the class blog spot no
less than 500 words. For posts on your peers entries interacting with their blog will also be
required of you. They must be spread out over the course of the semester to show you had
ongoing interaction with your peers. Postings reflective of one night or even one week will
meet significant point reduction. Your blogs should focus on one interesting piece of
research you discover from the city chosen for the class presentation and paper. Information
should be presented in such a way that provokes intrigue, answers questions, creates others
and presents scholarly thinking in common man/woman language. This project will be
discussed more in class on the first day.

5. Reading and Video Journal: Students will keep a journal that contains entries for each
video in class, article and assigned textbook reading. The style should reflect your own
thoughts on key information presented in these delivery systems of written, visual and audio
format. A paragraph per chapter and two per video or article are a good measure. I am more
interested in what you learned or thought about when reading than a regurgitation of the facts
you read. If it sparks interest causes new discovery than it’s worth recording in your journal.

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Grading Scale

30%...............Mid-Term & Final Examination (15% each)

20%...............Four Quiz’s (5% each)
30%...............Class Presentation and Paper
10%...............Blogging Research for Discussion
10%............... Reading and Video Journal

DISCLAIMER:
Any aspect of this syllabus is subject to change at the professor’s discretion. However, this
syllabus offers an aim and desired goal but is by no means meant to lock the subjects or format.

SCOPE OF SUBJECTS

Week and Date: Subject Covered Due Dates

Week 1 August 31st :
Week 2 September 7th:
Week 3 September 14th :
Week 4 September 21st :
Week 5 September 28th :
Week 6 October 5th:
Week 7 October 12th:
Week 8 October 19th:
Week 9 October 26th:
Week 10 November 2nd:
Week 11 November 9th:
Week 12 November 16th:
Week 13 November 23rd:
Week 14 November 30th:
Week 15 December 7th:
Week 16: December 14th:
Syllabi and Introduction Material
History of Archaeology 1 DVD
History of Archaeology 2 Quiz 1
Excavation Methods and Techniques Quiz 2
Ethics of Archaeology Blog #1 up
Fall Break, No Class!
Archaeology from the Ground Down Mid Term
Egypt and Mesopotamian Archaeology
Archaeology and Ancient Israel Quiz 3
Archaeology and Ancient Israel
Archaeology of Jerusalem Quiz 4
Herod the Builder Blog #2 Up
Thanksgiving Break, No Class!
Classical Archaeology
Archaeological Search for Jesus
Final Examination

POLICIES

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class periods. Please be aware that absences are
granted for illness, personal matters, or for emergencies. It is important for students to keep
track of their own absences and late arrivals carefully. Please see the Student Handbook for the
Absence Policy. There will be a very short break mid-class, students are expected to remain in
class at other times except for medical reasons.

If a student arrives late to class it is their responsibility to inform the teacher after class that they
are present. Otherwise they may be marked absent for the class. It is a good idea to date your
notes each class in case attendance discrepancies should arise.

In order to be considered present in class, students must present themselves in an appropriate

manner, following the guidelines of the Student Handbook.

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Assignments: All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. All others will
be considered late. Assignments should be written in Turabian format.

All late assignments are to be turned into the instructor’s office, not placed in campus mail.
There are no exceptions to this policy unless mandated by the office of the Academic Dean.

Examinations: Any missed exam may be made up if the exam was missed due to illness or other
excused absence (see Student Handbook). A make-up exam will also be allowed if the
circumstances are urgent and approved by the instructor prior to the exam.

Extensions and Late Papers: Extensions will only be granted for the following four reasons: 1)
hospitalization for illness. A doctor’s note confirming such is required; 2) extended serious
illness that prevents a student from attending class. This requires a doctor’s note and signature
of verification from the student’s Resident Director; 3) funerals or family emergencies granted
as an approved absence by the Academic Dean and Dean of Students; 4) school-approved
activities. If the student meets one of these exceptions, a ―Request for Extension Form‖ must be
filled out. The form can be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the Office of the
Academic Dean. If your paper is turned in after attendance is taken on the due date, you will
receive an automatic point deduction of five (5) points. For each twenty-four hour period (this
includes Saturday’s, Sunday’s and school breaks) the paper is not turned in, there will be a
forfeiture of five (5) points from the total points. If the paper is not turned in within five twenty-
four hour periods after the due date and time, an automatic score of zero (0) will be entered for
the grade with no chance of making up the paper/grade. If a hard copy cannot be presented by
the specified time and hour, an email copy may be presented for verification of completion with
a hard copy following

Plagiarism: A student who submits written material as his/her own work which has been copied
in whole or in part from another person’s work without acknowledgement is guilty of plagiarism.
Material, whether published or unpublished, copied from another
writer, must be identified by the use of quotation marks and documentation with specific citation
of the source. Paraphrased material must likewise be attributed to the origin author.

Copying another student’s paper, with or without permission, or using his/her ideas with only
minimal reworking, is plagiarism, as is the copying from printed books and magazines without
giving credit to the original source. Any student who submits a plagiarized paper or who permits
another person to
copy his/her work is subject to any of the following actions: a grade of ―zero‖ or ―F‖ for the
work, failure in or expulsion from the class, being reported for further disciplinary action.

Cheating: A student who engages in dishonest behavior such as: using unauthorized notes or
material when taking an examination, copying answers to examination questions, or engaging in
securing unauthorized copies of examination questions (including aiding another person in doing
so), is subject to the action or penalty indicated above. Copying another person’s class work
and/or homework and submitting it as one’s own, or having another person perform an
assignment and submitting it as having originated from themselves personally is guilty of

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plagiarism—which is cheating. Such students will therefore be subject to the above discipline.
Faculty members are to submit all such cases on the appropriate ―Plagiarism Form‖ to the Office
of the Dean of Academics.

CLASS DEPORTMENT & NECESSITIES:

The classroom is a place of spiritual formation and ministerial training. It is here that some of the
basics of proper deportment will be practiced; therefore, the following guidelines are to be
adhered to:
No gum chewing in class;
Proper posture: (no slouching!);
No usage of cell phones either before or after class or during breaks is permitted in the
classroom (this includes texting); please restrict all cell phone usage to places other than the
classroom.
If a student is late (which should be the exception), he or she should assume his or her seat
quickly and quietly for obvious reasons. Thank you!
Please do not use red pen for anything; and no pencils on a test.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Berk, Harlan 100 Greatest Coins Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2008.

Blaiklock E.M. and R.K. Harrison et. al. Dictionary of Biblical Archaeology Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Pub. House, 1983.

Bowder, Diana Who was who in the Ancient Greek World 776-30 BC (Cornell Ithacha,
NY: University Press, 1982.

____________ Who was who in the Roman World 753 BC -476 AD Ithacha,
NY: Cornell University Press, 1980.

Bromiley, Geoffrey. W. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Vol. 1-4 Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1982.

Brooke, George J. The Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2005.

Burkert, Walter Greek Religion Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1985.

Chavalas, Mark W. and Younger, K. Lawson Mesopotamia and the Bible Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Book House, 2002.

Cook, Edward M. Solving the Mysteries of the Dead Sea Scrolls Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Publishing House, 1994.

Cruse, C.F. Ecclesiastical History Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishing, 1998.

Currid, John D. Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1997.

_____________ Archaeology in the Land of the Bible: A Basic Guide Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book
House, 1999.

DeVaries, LaMoine F. Cities of the Biblical World Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishing, 1997.

De Vaux, Roland Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Pub. Co.,
1997.

Elwell, Walter A. and Yarbrough, Robert W. Readings from the First Century World Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Academic, 1998.

Evans, Craig, A., and Stanley E. Porter, eds. Dictionary of New Testament Background.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.

Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1993.

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Fritz, Volkmar An Introduction to Biblical Archaeology: Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
Scheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield, 1994.

___________ Who’s Who in the Age of Jesus Christ NY, NY: Penguin Classics, 2006.

Hendin, David Guide to Biblical Coins NY, NY: Amphora Books, 1986.

Hoereth, Alfred Archaeology and the Old Testament Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1998.

____________ and McRay, John Bible Archaeology: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2005.

Howgego, Christo Ancient History from Coins: Approaching the Ancient World NY, NY: Routledge
Publishers, 1995.

Hoffmeir, James K. Israel in Egypt Oxford, London: Oxford University Press, 1996.

_______________ The Archaeology of the Bible Oxford, London: The Lion Hudson Publication, 2008.

_______________Israel in Sinai Oxford, London: Oxford University Press, 1996.

Isserlin, B.S.J. The Israelites Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2001.

Jeffers, J. S. The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity,
1999.

Kaiser, Walter Jr. ad. et. The Archaeological Study Bible Grand Rapids MI: Zondervan Publishing
House, 2006.

King, Philip J. and Stager, Lawrence E. Life in Biblical Israel Louisville, England: Westminster John
Knox Press, 2001.

Klawns, Zander H. Handbook of Ancient Greek and Roman Coins: An Official Whitman Guidebook
Eagan, MN: Western Publishing Co., 1995.

Lovette, James B. Biblical Related Coins Sherwood, AR; James B. Lovette, 2000.

Matthews, Victor H. and Benjamin, Don C. Old Testament Parallels Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1997.

Matthews, Victor H Manors and Customs in the Bible Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub, Co., 1991.

Mazar, Amihai, Studies in the Archaeology of the Iron Age in Israel and Jordan Sheffield, England:
Sheffield Academic Press, 2001.

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_____________ Archaeology of the Land of the Bible: 10,000-586 B.C.E. NY, NY: Doubleday Press,
1990.

Mcray, John Archaeology and the New Testament Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2001.

Nemet-Nejat, Karen Rhea, Daily Life in Ancient Mesopotamia Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Pub., 2002.

Novak, Ralph Martin Christianity and the Roman Empire: Background Texts Chicago, Il: Trinity Press,
2001.

Roux, Georges Ancient Iraq London, England: Penguin Books, 1992.

Saggs, H.W.E. Civilization Before Greece and Rome Yale, CT: Yale University Press, 1989.

____________ The Greatness that was Babylon NY, NY: Hawthorne Books, 1962.

Stern, Ephraim Archaeology of the Land of the Bible Vol. II NY, NY: Doubleday Press, 2001.

____________ New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land Vol. I-V Warsaw,
IN: Eisenbrauns Publishers, 1993.

Stern, Menahem, Greek and Latin Authors on Jews and Judaism Vol. I-III Jerusalem, Israel: Israel
Academy of Sciences, 1974.

Thompson, J.A. The Bible and Archaeology Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1982.

Vermes, Geza Who’s Who in the age of Jesus Christ NY, NY: Penguin Putnam inc. 2006.

Witherington III, Benjamin Conflict and Community in Corinth: A socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 &
2 Corinthians Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1996.

Yamauchi, Edwin Persia and the Bible Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1996.

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