When I lived in Jerusalem in the 1990s, the archaeological excavations in what is known as the City of David were being developed as a major tourist site. The City of David is the core of ancient Jerusalem, located on an elongated ridge that descends southward from the Temple Mount. For centuries it was a forgotten place buried under layers of destruction and rubble. In the 19th century, by chance, archaeologists came upon this lost city and began to uncover it.
Earlier this year, I visited the site again. I was amazed by what I saw. Archaeologists and scholars have confirmed what in the past was up for debate; the Old Testament stories of King David conquering a Jesubite city more than 3,000 years ago are not myth. The evidence is overwhelming that it really happened.
As I walked the ruins of the City of David, a thought passed through my mind. If the archaeological evidence is so overwhelming that David conquered and built up this city, then why wouldn't it be true that he brought the Ark of the Covenant mentioned in II Samuel 6 (containing the second tablets Moses brought down from Mount Sinai) to this very place? And if this is true, how far back can one go in the biblical narrative before one can say it is just myth and has nothing to do with historical reality?
(If you are interested in learning about a mind-blowing archaeological site, read this recent National Geographic article on Göbekli Tepe in Turkey. It is the oldest known example of monumental architecture and contains the oldest known temple dating back 11, 600 years. Its discovery is rattling theories about the importance of the human sense of the sacred in the development of civilization.)
As archaeologists dig deeper into the earth to uncover new truths about the past, their findings have the potential to upend our understanding of religion and the role of God in its unfolding. Their search for truth mirrors our personal search for it. To reach a deeper level of truth, we need to dig into our own "debris." As we do our personal excavations and new information is revealed, the willingness to let go of beliefs that no longer serve us is crucial to personal and spiritual growth.
It is easy to find reasons not to begin the digging. For many, letting go of what is known and comfortable is a daunting task. The fear of what might be found in the darkness can be profound. It is easier to hold on to what is "truth" and forgo the dirty business of exploration.
Finding the courage to put cherished beliefs up for examination is the hallmark of true inquiry, whether it is scientific or spiritual. One quality that makes this kind of inquiry possible is humility. Being humble does not mean erasing one's opinions or submitting to another's will. The essence of humility is knowing one's rightful place in life. True humility recognizes the limits inherent in the human mind in the face of the awesomeness of a universe that is expanding, filled with mystery and might be infinite.
As much as we know, whether it is about the outside world or the world inside us, discoveries like the City of David and Göbekli Tepe present us with an opportunity. We can embrace our limited knowledge and, in that embrace, open ourselves to new insights on every level and grow from them. Or we can stay stuck in a static view of the world and of who we are. I know which road I prefer. How about you?
Follow Levi Ben-Shmuel on Twitter: www.twitter.com/levibenshmuel
NOVA | Archeology of the Hebrew Bible
Is the Bible Fact or Fiction? Archaeology's Discoveries - TIME
City of David - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Are these ruins of biblical City of David? - CNN
Jerusalem: The City of David? - 60 Minutes Overtime - CBS News
Göbekli Tepe - Pictures, More From National Geographic Magazine
you may find the city of david but what does that have to do with god?
that jewish thing again like the american christians thinking they are god's chosen nation.
god has chosen people chosen nations sends last prophets is jealous also wrathful and demanded an atonement of blood to satisfy his wrath.
god is an interesting character to say the least. sounds a lot like a god made in the image of man. jealous and wrathful man at that.
spend time studying american politics there you will find that god and his chosen people. ie repubs.
'This story has been written to bring attention to evidence that has been suppressed for over eighty years of the first and greatest civilization in Sumer.THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH supplies enough evidence to indicate that both the Torah and Koran are secondary in importance and both have used as their base the writings from Sumerian and Babylonian literature.
"Well, I won't tell you what it is or show it to you, but believe you me, it's been proved"
(much like the founder of the Mormon religion does)
Better luck next time.
A deep metaphor!
Finding the courage to put cherished beliefs up for examination is the hallmark of true inquiry, whether it is scientific or spiritual. One quality that makes this kind of inquiry possible is humility. Being humble does not mean erasing one's opinions or submitting to another's will. The essence of humility is knowing one's rightful place in life. True humility recognizes the limits inherent in the human mind in the face of the awesomeness of a universe that is expanding, filled with mystery and might be infinite.
I want to offer this article about "recognizing the limits inherent in the human mind" as an educational adjunct to what you are pointing to. Enjoy!
http://www.alternet.org/media/151426/why_do_people_believe_stupid_stuff,_even_when_they're_confronted_with_the_truth
In the Shadows: Tales of Ashik
Ashik Jaya
It reminds me of what John Lilly wrote back in the '60s in his book, Simulations of God, that what we believe can become true for us even though it might not be true, and that human beings tend to project thier concept of God or the Divine into their own ignorance of it.
I think that is what many religious people do today, and have been doing increasingly for the last 30 years with the rise of "Religious Fundamentalism." And many Jews, Christians and Muslims have been misled by it.
It brings to mind a relevant article called The Nature of God, at http://messenger.cjcmp.org/natureofgod.html
And Troy's existance proves that Zeus, et al, also exist.
Hey, its your logic - I'm only borrowing it to show where it can lead.
Saying "I don't know" is a lot more honest postulating a supreme being complete with origin myths & "divine" laws, etc.
I do thank you for your polite response though, I should be more like that myself.
Well said. Nothing limits us more than our beliefs. Beliefs are expressions of ego, and to expand our awareness outward we need to accept that anything is possible, even if it conflicts with that which we believe to be true.
It's a great step in humility to acknowledge that we not only don't have all the answers, but that our minds are also incapable of understanding many of those answers.
Margaret Placentra Johnston
www.exploring-spiritual-development.com