The Case For Christ

McRay tossed me the article in which Evans was quoted as saying,
"4Q521 makes it clear that [Jesus'] appeal to Isaiah 61 is indeed
messianic. In essence, Jesus is telling John through his
messenger that messianic things are happening. So that answers
[Johns] question: Yes, he is the one who is to come."
I sat back in my chair. To me, Evans' discovery was a remarkable
confirmation of Jesus' self-identity. It was staggering to me how
modern archaeology could finally unlock the significance of a
statement
in which Jesus boldly asserted nearly two thousand years ago that
he was indeed the anointed one of God.
"A REMARKABLY ACCURATE SOURCE BOOK"
Archaeology's repeated affirmation of the New Testament's
accuracy provides important corroboration for its reliability.
This is in stark contrast with how archaeology has proved to be
devastating for Mormonism.
Although Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church,
claimed that his Book ofMormon is "the most correct of any book
upon the earth," archaeology has repeatedly failed to
substantiate its claims about events that supposedly occurred
long ago in the Americas. I remember writing to the Smithsonian
Institute to inquire about whether there was any evidence
supporting the claims of Mormonism, only to be told in
unequivocal terms that its archaeologists see "no direct
connection between the archaeology of the New World and the
subject matter of the book."
As authors John Ankerberg and John Weldon concluded in a
book on the topic, "In other words, no Book of Mormon cities have
ever been located, no Book ofMormon person, place, nation, or
name has ever been found, no Book of Mormon artifacts, no Book of
Mormon scriptures, no Book of Mormon inscriptions ... nothing
which demonstrates the Book of Mormon is anything other than myth
or invention has ever been found ."
However, the story is totally different for the New Testament.
McRay's conclusions have been echoed by many other scientists,
including prominent Australian archaeologist Clifford Wilson, who
wrote, "Those who know the facts now recognize that the New
Testament must be accepted as a remarkably accurate source
book."