This session will look first at the sort of arguments for the reliability of the Old Testament which tend to be ineffective because they are not adequately supported or appeal to evidence which is debatable and urges Christians to use arguments which are based on the broadest possible patterns of evidence. These arguments include arguments for the uniqueness of the Old Testament theologically and for its unusually critical view of the human protagonists. We also consider the significant changes which have occurred in our knowledge since archaeology began and how approximately 2% of the named individuals in the Old Testament may be verified outside the Old Testament.
