Q. Are History books reliable sources to understand the Bible?

A. Extra-Biblical resources, like those found in history books, are often used to validate information contained in the Scripture by Teachers, Scholars and Pastors. But as with any third party material, in any discipline, caution has to be exercised in the usage of such sources.

Any information, whether good of bad, should be carefully selected and not simply use because it confirms or negates a point. A valid argument can be discredit simply because the information used may come from a dubious or contested source.

A lack or limited amount of information can lead to wrong conclusion. Prior to the 1970s, historian were discrediting the Bible because there was no archaeological record to prove the existence of Sodom and Gomorra. Aside form the Bible these cities were considered to have never existed and the Bible was deemed to be a collection of Fables. In the 70s, digs discovered artefacts that proved the existence of the cities, and proved the Bible as being a reliable record, especially its historical portion. It was because of a lack of available information that a wrong conclusion was reached.

The origin of the source used must also be examined. Winston Churchill once said “history is written by the victors.” Although this statement is not necessarily 100% accurate, it is true that often time records of the past can be influenced and shaped by those who are left while those that have been destroyed no longer have a voice. In the case of tribes of the Ostrogoths, Vandals and Heruli, three nations that had been destroyed by the Romish Church, the only reason and record that we have regarding why they were destroyed comes from the Church itself who claimed they were eliminated because of their Arian views. There is no real other sources available to verify whom they were and what they believed. Hence we must always try to be aware of an author’s possible biases and agenda and how they may influence the record they produce.

Finally we must also realize that sometime evidences may simply not be available, and might never be. Archaeology, History and some other sciences, depends on findings and artefacts to establish facts. However, it is possible that those things that could be a source of confirmation or negation may never be found or that it has been destroyed in the course of time.

In the end, it is always important and dutiful to verify our sources, their origins and their validity before using them. As much as they can be used to sustain the Biblical record, we should guard against using them above the Scripture and removing the final authority and inspiration from the Holy Writ in favour of third party sources.

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