Donald J. Wiseman on Archaeology and Scripture

The following article is now available online in PDF:

Donald J. Wiseman, "Archaeology and Scripture," Westminster Theological Journal 33.2 (May 1971): 133-152.

Professor Wiseman concludes:

Extrabiblical sources provide an insight into the background of the biblical text, literature, religious beliefs, and history. They indicate the contemporary thought and methodologies but cannot of themselves directly relate to the biblical doctrines of revelation and inspiration. They provide evidence of care with which traditional texts were copied and transmitted, indicating that the textual errors of our “textus receptus” (MT) are of a minor nature common to all ancient copyists which, in the case of the Scriptures, do not affect our understanding of any major doctrine or detract from an obvious and vital interpretation of the narrative. In this, textual criticism of the Old approaches that of the New Testament. At the same time these studies highlight the problems caused by divergent interpretation of the text, an important subject which lies outside the brief of this lecture. Nothing presented here need or should, I submit, detract from the view of Scripture which holds it to be the Word of God trustworthily, accurately, clearly, and uniquely transmitted to us.