Cave Linked to John the Baptist Found in Israel

[studyhound]

http://news.findlaw.com/news/s/20040816/israelarchaeologycavedc.html

By Matthew Tostevin

TZOVA, Israel (Reuters) - A British archeologist has dug up evidence linking John the Baptist to a cave used for bathing rituals in hills near Jerusalem in what he said could be one of the biggest recent finds for Christian history.

Shimon Gibson, who has been digging in the Holy Land for nearly three decades, told Reuters he believed the cave, hewn 24 yards deep into a rocky hillside, might also have been visited by Jesus as well as New Testament preacher John.

Discovered by Gibson in 1999, excavations at the cave since then have revealed a large bathing pool as well as objects used for anointing rituals that would be quite different from those used by most Jews there nearly 2,000 years ago.


:sh:

[mikeledo]

http://news.findlaw.com/news/s/20040816/israelarchaeologycavedc.html

By Matthew Tostevin

TZOVA, Israel (Reuters) - A British archeologist has dug up evidence linking John the Baptist to a cave used for bathing rituals in hills near Jerusalem in what he said could be one of the biggest recent finds for Christian history.

Shimon Gibson, who has been digging in the Holy Land for nearly three decades, told Reuters he believed the cave, hewn 24 yards deep into a rocky hillside, might also have been visited by Jesus as well as New Testament preacher John.

Discovered by Gibson in 1999, excavations at the cave since then have revealed a large bathing pool as well as objects used for anointing rituals that would be quite different from those used by most Jews there nearly 2,000 years ago.


:sh:

???? There really isn't any link. There is not a sign "John the Baptist" slept here. There is a picture of a severed head which dates 400- 500 years AFTER John the baptist lived. He might as well drawn the picture itself for what it is worth as evidence.

This is classical archaelogical nonsense. By making wild assumptions and "linking" events to Bible stories is one sure way to assure the funding for your pet project isn't cut.

This political Mideast nonsense is why most of the credible archaeologists are digging Mayan ruins.

[bar Jonah]

Bathing rituals? Howabout ancient Hebrew rituals of observing the Law of Moses? :eh:

Apparently, they're unaware that baptism began in the Torah. :shrug:

[kofh2u]

http://news.findlaw.com/news/s/20040816/israelarchaeologycavedc.html

By Matthew Tostevin

TZOVA, Israel (Reuters) - A British archeologist has dug up evidence linking John the Baptist to a cave used for bathing rituals in hills near Jerusalem in what he said could be one of the biggest recent finds for Christian history.

Shimon Gibson, who has been digging in the Holy Land for nearly three decades, told Reuters he believed the cave, hewn 24 yards deep into a rocky hillside, might also have been visited by Jesus as well as New Testament preacher John.

Discovered by Gibson in 1999, excavations at the cave since then have revealed a large bathing pool as well as objects used for anointing rituals that would be quite different from those used by most Jews there nearly 2,000 years ago.


:sh:



Thanx for the quick update!

I just read about this morning. For me, the significant find was the hand print carved into the wall.

This connection with John the Baptist... whether this was actually a cave visited by John or not, connects the "Hand Blessing" ceremony ( present yet today in the synagogue) with what John invorms is about its powerful use by Jesus!

Matt. 3:12 Whose FAN is in his HAND, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

[kofh2u]

???? There really isn't any link. There is not a sign "John the Baptist" slept here. There is a picture of a severed head which dates 400- 500 years AFTER John the baptist lived. He might as well drawn the picture itself for what it is worth as evidence.

This is classical archaelogical nonsense. By making wild assumptions and "linking" events to Bible stories is one sure way to assure the funding for your pet project isn't cut.

This political Mideast nonsense is why most of the credible archaeologists are digging Mayan ruins.

"Eureka! Eureka!"

Archeology requires a lot of confidence in "N," the Jungian symbol for Intuition. People are digging in remote areas all over the world. Some have faith in strong intuitions no one else thinks significant. These people are undaunted by critical gazes, but nevertheless, betting against odds.
When they find even the smallest "nugget" of support, "Eureka!"

So, don't be too hard on these people here. I certainly hope they get the financial help tp keep at it. Whatever merit there may be to your negativity, it is very unworthy of a true science person.

Intuition, the lion of our t ought processes, is and long has been the only foundation for initial investigation is every area of human discovery.
We need praise human intuition, not mock it. We need congratulate those who have not yet been supported by the confirmation of other finds and/or testing.

One thing so far, w have evidence that way early, perhaps, as you say, even 400 after Christ, evangelists still approached prospective proselytites with the "fan in their hand" held high before them in the Dr Spock mannerism of the Kohanim priests.

This supporting evidence helps in raising the issue of resurrection of the "Hand Blessing."