Dr. Steven Collins and Dr. Gary Byers discuss Biblical Archaeology for the 21st Century. A variety of subjects will be covered on this channel including, 'Why archaeology is an important part of Bible study,' 'How Archaeology demonstrates the Bible’s historical accuracy and authenticity,' and 'Is Tall el-Hammam biblical Sodom?'
Outstanding! God is Great. Word. The more time and research that passes and is found the deeper the conviction ofvthe inerrant evidence of the Bible. Get on the train .
I think the folks who think Sodom's location is in the southeast region of the dead sea just see those sulphur piles as the "pillars of salt" described in the Bible as those who "looked back". Other than that, there's obviously no archeological evidence for Sodom there. PS - I was one of the first to download and read the airburst event paper Dr. C referenced.
Thanks for your research and the interesting background. The Bible is the “go to” history book and it is accurate because it’s God’s Holy Word. I always get so much from your videos.
One of the things that I find funny is how vocal some of the objectors are to the location. Normally very open minded and interested in discussion, they seem to shut down that area of their brain when this topic comes up and staunchly resist. It's unreal. I understand we have 100 years of history with the currently accepted location and large organizations may have to backpedal their very public opinions, but if you're not willing to do that, if you're not willing to have a discourse and risk changing your mind, then you're not interested in history or science, you're interested in not changing your position. Thank you all for the work you're doing and I hope it continues to go well for you!
I can't read Gen 13 without seeing Sodom and its associated cities east of Bethel/Ai. Indeed, go to these coordinates in Google Earth(31.923591°, 35.246380°), zoom in as close to ground level as you can, then shift to an oblique view due east -- there's what Lot saw ... the "circle" and Tall el-Hammam. Equally telling, pivot that oblique view to the south-southeast and you cannot see the southern basin of the Dead Sea, the other site claimed for Sodom. Mountains in the way block the view. Gen 13's geographic description precludes Sodom being in the South. But without challenging the Tall el-Hammam identification, there is a lot of geographic detail in the Sodom story focused on the south end of the Dead Sea: the route of the four kings ending at the Vale of Siddim and the Dead Sea (Gen 14). the pitch pits common in that area, the generally agreed upon location of Zoar, the distance Abraham would have had to walk -- twice in two days -- from Mamre (30 miles south of Bethel/Ai) to find a vantage point to look down on Sodom in the south vs the north (Gen 18&19). If the Vale of Siddim and the battle that took place there was indeed in the South, then it appears we're talking about the south basin of the Dead Sea, now under water. That suggests land subsidence. The salt dome of Mt. Sdom suggests a possible natural-gas trap beneath it. A regionally catastrophic release of gas, triggered perhaps by tectonics resulting from the airburst could account for the subsidence and Gen 19's "the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace." There are too many geographic datapoints in the south to ignore away. They need to be integrated so we can better understand why they're there. Question ... it's been a while since I read the details on the airburst, but I recall there are material remnant particles you can find on the ground. Have you done surveys showing the spatial distribution and density of the particles to map their extent on the ground.
Obviously a response to Joel Kramer's recent video. This is what we need... direct analysis of the specific information available. For us laymen, who understand the Biblical account as literal, these archeological/seminary infighting sessions can be disheartening and so very confusing. One man's argument seems right, until you hear the other's argument. How about a neutral-ground debate of the analysis of the Scriptural exegesis and all the evidence from the ground... like a long-format podcast on Associates for Biblical Research? There are men associated with ABR on both sides of the argument, and some open clarity would be so helpful to honest seekers of the truth. And I do hope one of those questions deal with the location of Zoar, its location on the ancient mosaic, and how Lot could have escaped there in the Biblical timeframe, why it seems to be alone in its escape from the sulfur balls found in that plain and other cities, and the apparent location of "Lot's Cave" in the immediate vicinity. There was obviously an atmospheric blast event at Hammam, but also a seeming atmospheric sulfur event in the southern plain, and if Hamman was actually Shittim, then why no mention of it anywhere... it doesn't make sense. We need a Biblical model that explains all the data, not just the data that espouses one dig site and the archeological careers of those involved... we get enough of that with all the gov't funded "research" that will only ensure whatever propaganda they desire. Please help us out here... the us being the very interested, but non-expert class of believers. We feel like parents whose kids are fighting in the back seat... and we really don't want to stop the car and dump both of them out.
I wish you would get into more depth. Dating things that old is not a simple or straightforward matter. There are error bars. There are uncertainties. I would like to see you deal with those and admit the uncertainties. Talk about the methods. Evaluate the evidence itself for us rather than just passing on these vague generalities.
I really do think the issue comes down to the debate between the early or late date of the Exodus. I’ve debated between the two since first getting into archaeology and serious biblical studies. For me the evidence at Tel El Hammam is one of the strongest extra-biblical pieces of evidence for the late date. The destruction is unique and perfectly fits the text for the destruction of Sodom. It really can’t be anything else given its intensity, scope, and location. Any competing event for ‘Fire from heaven’ pales in comparison. Just as Tel El Hammam can’t be easily dismissed by skeptics of the Bible, it also cannot be easily dismissed in the debate over the date of the exodus. My conclusion is either the dating of the destruction layer at Tel El Hammam is off or the early date for the Exodus needs to be reevaluated and a late date looks more likely. There’s clearly something symbolic going on with the numbering and names in the table of nations and patriarchs. The question for me is how to honestly and correctly interpret the text while also using extra-biblical evidence as a sounding board for when an interpretation needs re-evaluation.
The Exodus was in 1446 B.C. and, (According to the scriptures.) Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was *four hundred and thirty years* {Exodus 12:40} Placing Abraham's 75th year in 1876 B.C. and his birth around 1951 B.C. Making the destruction of cities of the plain around 1852 B.C.
The early vs. late date of the Exodus is a key debate in biblical archaeology. 1446 BC works well for some of the evidence, but it doesn’t work with other evidence. Same with the late date. It’s not a simple issue and regardless of which view you take there are problems to address. There is a real debate among believers of good faith and trust in the Bible on this issue.
@@larrybedouin2921 No we do not get the date directly from the text, we have to take the Biblical descriptions of the timing and chronology of events then interpret how that fits into our dating system. There are no AD or BC dates given in scripture. We have to accurately interpre how the Hebrews recorded things, then combine that interpretation with our own dating system. It’s similar to our troubles getting all the dates of the lineage of the kings in Israel sorted out, it took till Thiel’s work on the issue before we really nailed down that chronology. So when we come across a significant find which challenges our chronological interpretation and timeline, it behoves us to honestly re-evaluate. We need to look closely at the dating of the new evidence and our old interpretation/assumptions. Tel El Hammam is too significant of a site with a clearly exceptional destruction layer to ignore. I’m not going to ignore it just because the early date of the Exodus is simpler, in the same way Thiel didn’t stick with the simple chronology of the kings. I fully believe in the inspiration and inerrancy of the original manuscripts (also in its reliable transmission), but I do not believe our interpretations are inspired. So we either got the archaeology dating wrong in this case (of course possible) or our interpretation/assembly of the chronology from scripture is wrong (also possible). It’s a debate among believers on how best to put together an accurate chronology.
Thank you! Really appreciate the time to do this. I think this series is necessary. It's getting old seeing the same RU-vid faces making the same objections to Hammam. I have a lot of respect for those people and the work they do, but it seems like they come after this research with a vigor unlike any other topic. Their data is "more concrete", and their arguments "more certain" on this topic than anything else they talk about. I have my suspicions about why, but that's largely conjecture. Even if this only sparks more of those videos or reaction videos to this, at least yours are out and available to provide some kind of retort. It would be interesting to see some back and forth, though, if it heads in that direction. As long as it stays civil 🤣 Thank you, again!
Objections... you had to know they were inevitable...I've followed your work for 10+ years... and found it to be the most logical through your biblical research and archeological field work. Thank you for the maximum efforts of transparency in all these years.
Great video! Its a same that in the world of science, it seems like the only time someone's work is accepted is after they've died from Einstein to Wegener and Mendel to Boltzmann Of course it is in the nature of scientists to question things as Dr. Collins himself did with rethinking what was/is still kind of the popular theory of sodom's location being in the south rather then the more likely site to the north. The established thinking and the gate keeping establishment whose careers and pride depend on upholding certin knowledge to be fact will always be the greatest obstacle to the truth! I pray that one day your work will be given the credit it deserves.
This guy has no idea what he is looking at. This is just propaganda for the vatican. Everyone knows genesis came from sumerian tablets. Period. Its just re worded in hebrew or jew
Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. Dr. Collin’s believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. That’s how Dr Collin’s found Sodom.
Hello Dr Beyers and Dr Collins. Dr Beyers, i live in Maryland. Glad to hear you helped many people in Maryland. Thanks. I have a view on Gobekli Tepe n other Tepes. Maybe you can direct it to the appropriate people. Tepes are NOT 10-12,000 years old. Tepes means Mounds/Hills. They don't have that much Erosion. See Nineveh's Erosion; it's not close 12,000 years old; yet, has much more erosion. Yes, I'm aware Tepes were buried; however, erosion that long ago should have exposed megaliths long ago. Academics falsely claim Hunter Gatherers built Tepes. There are Thousands of Sickle Blades n other proof builders were Farmers. All Tepes were Well Organized Civilizations, But, idol worshippers. Abraham n family lived during Tepes Time. Joshua 24:2 Terah, Abraham's father, and family were involved in idols; Abraham was Against this. Rabbinic scripture tells how Terah made n sold Idols. Tepes clearly we're idol worshippers. Tepes are in Urfa and Haran regions where Abraham n family lived. Hence, it's very Likely Terah was selling idols to Tepes culture. Terah eventually repented; he stopped selling Idols. God told Abraham to go to Canaan. They briefly stopped at Haran. I have more. Just see artifacts at Tepes. Thanks
The Roman bath area was exciting to explore, as interesting as the rest of Tall el-Hammam. It was fun watching an Australian digger keep pulling vessels out from a hole. I didn't like the acacia trees, though - walked into one when I tried to block the sun from my eyes - ouch! Thanks for the wonderful memories!
Fascinating! Thanks for sharing this incredible information. All of these discoveries and details just give more proof of the validity of the Bible. Anyone with an open mind should be able to connect the dots and have their eyes opened. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.
How does this man answer Genesis 10:19, or Ezekiel 16? Sodom was on the south-eastern border of Canaan, not north of the Dead Sea. Sodom is south of Jerusalem, not east-northeast.
Thanks for dedicating so many years of your life to find the lost city of Sodom! Neat to hear your story! It’s crazy this isn’t more well known after 20 years.
Hello Dr Collins... I've been following your work and discussions from Tall el-Hammam for going on 5 years or so... Something that caught my attention was your remark in this video, regarding the extinction of the dinosaurs and I believe you mentioned the woolly mammoth, and a global blanket layer of scorched earth has been recognized globally... If that were so, would not all humans and all forms of life then been eradicated from the planet earth...? I'm hoping what you meant to say, there are areas around the globe/world were there has been this air-burst event that covered certain areas with in certain regions., and didn't mean the entire earth surface was crystallized and covered in a thick form of black dust from an air-burst... If it was global and killed off the animals in such a manner it would have suffocated and killed all humans as well... However there is another explanation for such an event called the days of Noah and the global flood, indeed there was massive volcanic eruptions in that year and likely following as the continents drifted and shifted and the earths crust and mantle was displaced and reshaped as mountains rose up... However, God said he would never do that again globally, meaning a global flood and destruction of life on earth, yet God didn't say it wouldn't happen regionally or locally, as we can now see happened to Sodom and the surrounding area... Then a warning for us from Jesus... We would know the end is near when we see these days again, likened to Sodom and the time of Noah, ie, vile, evil, sexually immoral, lying, deception, terrorism, good exchanged for evil, corruption, lawlessness, global corrupt governance, wars and rumour of wars, the battle for the small land of Israel, Jews back in their home land... This event you have been unearthing is a warning, and the alarm bell, wake-up, repent, for God's justice is coming soon and suddenly with awesome might and power... In 67 years of my life, I've never seen or heard of such a prevailing storm of sexual perversion and global activists with full government support and laws passed to permit the mutilation of the bodies of children to satisfy their lusts... As a former atheist, the writing is clearly written for all to see and understand, however the hardened soul of a human to seek it's pleasure at all cost as God has given them over to the evil desires and lusts and the god of this world, Satan has blinded them to the knowledge of truth... To those with eyes to see and ears to hear, know the coming of the Lord is very, very soon... Suddenly, the church will be removed from this world and then a Godless humanity will have access to it's pleasure in all it's fullness... No doubt, a short period of excitement will arise for those still on earth as they celebrate liberation, but soon the woes will come, for seven gruelling years life on earth earth will see 2/3 of humanity destroyed... This isn't my predictions, it's been prophesied a long time ago, for thousands of years humans have had access to the truth of this worlds future... Sodom is a stark reminder of the Truth of God and what he has written will come to fruition... Truly, Jesus is the way of Life and Truth... The Bible is truly the Word of God... And the Word is Truly Jesus, The Word and Jesus have always existed with God, before humans were created... Does the Author not have total Authority and say over His Creation...? It's the total arrogance and depravity of man to say, God does not exist, that was me for many years... Sodom is a witness to the truth of God... And yes God gave free-will to man as he did with the Angels, as many Angels fell with Satan so many humans will choose rebellion toward God and reject Jesus, the only pathway to salvation... Global Climate change is coming with a Vengeance, but not as government officials claim, but as the Book of Revelation declares...
Trowling down in what, I wonder? I guess some of the deepest BS you ever heard of. Hope you brought a large trowel, cause that is going to take some time.
Western society has become so close to being Sodom, yet it is us, the people who desire to follow our God, who are holding back His hand. That is a difficult concept to consider.
15,000 - 20,000 Degrees? That's seems Intense. I'm not questioning it. I'm just wondering if any 'Meteorite Air Bursts' have been recorded. Act of God IMO
