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The #14 Pendant is a small, rectangular, alabaster LB IB (ca.1450 - 1400 BC) pendant, with two holes to fasten to a necklace, came to light through excavations near the KeM gate. It is on loan from the KAMAT. This small ivory pendant with six concentric circles and two holes is typical of jewelry in the MB III/LB I horizon (ca. 1600-1400 BC). It is on loan from the KAMAT. Purchase your copy of the Joshua, Judges, & Jesus: A Walk-Through Biblical History Guidebook book today for only $10. *Download and mailed options are available. Plan your visit to the Joshua, Judges, & Jesus: A Walk-Through Biblical History Museum.

This complete (restored) IA IIA, footed lamp dates to the time of King David (ca. 980 BC). The lamp belongs to the TBS collection. Purchase your copy of the Joshua, Judges, & Jesus: A Walk-Through Biblical History Guidebook book today for only $10. *Download and mailed options are available. Plan your visit to the Joshua, Judges, & Jesus: A Walk-Through Biblical History Museum.

New Mailing Address for Donations In order to help secure the reliability of mailed donations, TBS has established a new mailing address at 23501 CINCO RANCH BLVD STE H120-930, KATY TX 77494-3109. For your convenience, a donation envelope with the new address pre-printed on it is provided in the print version of this newsletter (if you are on our mailing address watch for yours to arrive in your mailbox in the next week or two). Please know that TBS routinely deposits all check donations very quickly upon receipt. If you mail a check that does not clear within two weeks or so of the date mailed, please let us know. Thank you for your support and investment in TBS students, faculty, staff, and alumni that enable us to better serve and lead others in numerous organizations and communities around the world! Donate ONLINE by visiting TheBibleSeminary.edu Legacy Shirt Sale In preparation for the seminary’s new branding logos, colors, and styles, check out great deals on legacy apparel like this super soft and comfortable T-shirt. Click HERE to purchase! 3J Museum Exhibit Open through 2023 The Joshua, Judges, and Jesus: A Walk Through Biblical History (3J) exhibit of almost 200 artifacts will remain open at The Bible Seminary through 2023. Visitors are welcome most weekdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. To confirm that we are open, or to schedule an excellent guided tour that helps explain the exhibit and bring clarity to the Scriptures, please call TBS at 281-646-1109 or visit TheBibleSeminary.edu/3j. Upcoming Educational Opportunities Seminar, “Late Second Temple Writings and Ossuaries,” with Dr. Craig Evans on Tue, Mar 21, 2023 from 9 AM to Noon for $39 per person, visit TheBibleSeminary.edu/seminar to register. Summer Archaeological Dig and Holy Land Tours in May and June 2023 visit DigShiloh.org. Watch a glimpse of the upcoming seminar with Dr. Craig Evans Yes, I want to support the educational ministries of The Bible Seminary! Visit TheBibleSeminary.edu/support * All donations are charitable and tax-deductible as allowed by law. If you have any legal questions, please see your tax advisor for more information. The Bible Seminary (TBS) is an independent, non- denominational, 501(c)(3) charitable institution of higher education incorporated in Texas in 2010 to offer training for laity and vocational ministry professionals. TBS is an Accredited member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and an approved CEU provider for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Goals include helping nurture a biblically literate populace via comprehensive, strategic, Bible-based training through classes and seminars, museum exhibits, productions and publications, and archaeological digs and study tours. “They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.” - Nehemiah 8:8 Campus 2655 S MASON RD KATY TX 77450-1772 Mailing Address 23501 CINCO RANCH BLVD STE H120-930 KATY TX 77494-3109 E-mail: info@TheBibleSeminary.edu Phone: 281-646-1109 Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 4 PM

This restored IA I (ca. 1200–1000 BC) pithos derived from within a house at KeM. This collared-rim jar is a classic signature of an Israelite village. It was the largest vessel excavated at KeM and is on loan from the KAMAT. Purchase your copy of the Joshua, Judges, & Jesus: A Walk-Through Biblical History Guidebook book today for only $10. *Download and mailed options are available. Plan your visit to the Joshua, Judges, & Jesus: A Walk-Through Biblical History Museum.

The “Joshua, Judges, and Jesus – A Walk Through Biblical History” (3J) museum exhibit opened on the TBS campus March 1, 2022. Since then, people from Houston, throughout Texas, and coast-to-coast have enjoyed docent or self-guided tours most weekdays since opening, as well as some evenings and weekends. Visitors have included individuals, families, and small groups and Sunday School classes; organizational leaders and staff; and bus and van loads of elementary through college-age students, and adults of all ages from businesses, churches, community, and senior centers. 3J Museum Visitors: Middle and High School students from Covenant Academy in Cypress, Texas visiting along with their teacher, Dan Enright (front right) and 3J Museum Director and TBS Provost and Vice-President of Donor Relations, Dr. Scott Stripling (front, 2nd from right). The 170 artifacts and signage offer insight into life in Israel from the times of Joshua’s conquest to Judges, Jesus, and up to the Byzantine period. The displays reveal how archeological explorations and research help illuminate scripture and provide evidence that the Bible is a reliable historical document that describes real people, real places, and real events. Most of the 3J Museum objects are on loan from the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria (KAMAT), the Horn Museum, the Dorsey Museum, and the University of Pikeville, as well as several private collections. Although attendance is free, it is very expensive to do archaeology and research, build displays, rent facilities, purchase equipment, transport artifacts, and host tours and exhibits. The costs incurred by our archaeological staff and students amount to tens of thousands of dollars every year which has primarily come through donors and, very often, the personal investments of TBS leaders and students. We invite you to help SUPPORT the 3J Museum’s exciting educational and inspirational ministry to students and others in organizations and communities near and far. The 3J Museum will remain open at least through spring 2023. Click here for more information or to schedule a tour.

By Dr. Scott Stripling, Provost and Vice-President of Donor Relations What is inflation? According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th Edition), inflation means, “A persistent increase in the level of consumer prices or a persistent decline in the purchasing power of money.” Historically, in the United States inflation averages about 2.0% annually. When the economy is strong, it dips below 2%, and when the economy is weak, it soars into double digits. Currently, the United States is experiencing 8.33% inflation.[1] Here is an example of how inflation works. Boo Snodgrass earned $200,000 a year as a CPA in 2021. He received a 1% raise in 2022, so this year he will earn $202,000. However, the value of his 2022 salary is only $186,467.28 due to the inflated cost of consumer goods. In effect, Boo’s spending power will decrease by $13,532.72 in 2022 versus his 2021 spending power. Inflation also erodes charitable giving. When The Bible Seminary launched in 2010, Boo pledged a generous $1,000 annual contribution, which he has faithfully given for 12 years. However, by the end of 2022, inflation will have consumed over a quarter (26%) of his annual contribution’s value. Here is how it happens: Year % Inflation Value 2010 - $1000.00 2011 3.16 $969.37 2012 2.07 $949.71 2013 1.47 $935.95 2014 1.62 $921.03 2015 0.12 $919.93 2016 1.26 $908.48 2017 2.13 $889.53 2018 2.44 $868.34 2019 1.81 $852.90 2020 1.24 $842.45 2021 4.70 $804.63 2022 8.33 $742.76 Boo’s likely intent in 2010 was to help TBS at a sustained or increasing rate each year. He has probably not considered the idea of a philanthropic deficit or that the intended value of his pledge is cumulatively $1,263.17 behind. Upon reflection on the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthian church, “Since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Cor. 8:7), Boo might realize that his level of generosity has effectively decreased over time and not trended upward in excellence. Ancient Israel’s economy experienced fluctuations due to famines and wars, but since the nation did not deficit spend, they did not deal with inflation for the same reasons people encounter it today. In other words, Israel’s kings only spent what they had. They could not leverage projected future revenues. Unfortunately, this is not the case for the United States whose national debt now exceeds $21 trillion dollars. That is $21,000,000,000. Fortunately, the constitutions or statutes of individual states, except Vermont, require them to not spend more than they receive in revenues. A few minor exceptions exist. In recent years, the federal government has pumped trillions of dollars into the national economy. These cash infusions temporarily stimulated the economy, but the long-term result has been inflation. The inflation rates shown above for 2021 and 2022 are staggering. To combat inflation the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, resulting in higher rates for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. For example, in 2021 I refinanced my home mortgage at a 15-year fixed rate of 2.25%. Previously I was paying 3.85% for a 30-year note. Today, the 15-year rate is 5.00% and climbing. Additionally, the major stock indices are down about 20% from their 2021 highs. Home values may follow the same trajectory unless the country quickly corrects its course. Suffice it to say, the national economy is teetering on the brink of a recession. Is there a path forward? Yes, I offer a three-tiered approach for Christians living in challenging economic times. First, we should pray. Consider the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Second, we should evaluate income and expenditures. Is there an opportunity to earn extra income? For example, my son-in-law works for an energy company, but he builds fences and does home repairs on the side. Through his strong work ethic, he has significantly increased his income and outpaced inflation. Auditing household expenditures usually results in significant savings. Last year I compared insurance rates and saved. This year I moved from cable TV to YouTube TV and saved. Splitting a meal at a restaurant saves money and calories. Third, we should invest in God’s kingdom in accordance with 2 Corinthians 9:6–8: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. I invite you to prayerfully consider your charitable giving and investments in the Lord’s work. Perhaps your generosity is very healthy and demonstrably representative of God’s blessings in your life. Maybe you have some “inflation catch-ups” due or revised giving plans to consider and implement in support of thrilling and life-changing kingdom enterprises like The Bible Seminary. Please join me in growing in the grace of attentive giving. Thank you for your generosity! [1] https://www.calculator.net/inflation-calculator.html

Updated: Apr 28, 2022 By Allison Taylor, TBS Marketing Director High-Tech Scans Reveal Ancient Hebrew Script, Centuries Older than any Other Known Tablets At a press conference held at the Lanier Theological Library on Thursday, March 24, 2022, the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) announced the discovery of a formulaic curse recovered on a small, folded lead tablet. The defixio came to light in December 2019 when archaeologist Scott Stripling, Director of the Archaeological Studies Institute at The Bible Seminary in Katy, Texas, led an ABR team to wet sift the discarded material from Adam Zertal’s excavations (1982–1989) on Mt. Ebal. The ancient Hebrew inscription consists of 40 letters and is centuries older than any known Hebrew inscription from ancient Israel. Stripling formed a collaboration with four scientists from the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and two epigraphers (specialists in deciphering ancient texts): Pieter Gert van der Veen of Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz and Gershon Galil of the University of Haifa. The scientists employed advanced tomographic scans to recover the hidden text. In collaboration with Stripling, Galil and van der Veen deciphered the proto-alphabetic inscription, which reads as follows: Cursed, cursed, cursed – cursed by the God YHW. You will die cursed. Cursed you will surely die. Cursed by YHW – cursed, cursed, cursed. According to Stripling, “These types of amulets are well known in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, but Zertal’s excavated pottery dated to the Iron Age I and Late Bronze Age, so logically the tablet derived from one of these earlier periods. Even so, our discovery of a Late Bronze Age inscription stunned me.” Almost immediately Galil recognized the formulaic literary structure of the inscription: “From the symmetry, I could tell that it was written as a chiastic parallelism.” Reading the concealed letters proved tedious, according to van der Veen, “but each day we recovered new letters and words written in a very ancient script.” Daniel Vavrik and his colleagues from Prague ensured the accuracy of the raw data which the team interpreted. According to Deuteronomy 27 and Joshua 8, Mt. Ebal was the mountain of the curse. Joshua 8:30 indicates that Joshua built an altar on Mt. Ebal. The defixio derived from previously excavated and discarded material from a structure Zertal believed was Joshua’s altar. An academic, peer-reviewed article is in process and will be published later in 2022. The collaborative team consists of Scott Stripling, Gershon Galil, Ivana Kumpova, Jaroslav Valach, Pieter Gert van der Veen, Daniel Vavrik, and Michal Vopalensky. Lead tablet photos by Mike Luddeni. Note: The press conference was expertly organized and conducted by TBS team members Dr. Stripling and Allison Taylor, along with Dan Lawless, Jordan and Angela McClinton, Blake Quimby, and Gary Urie. in conjunction with ABR and the Lanier Theological Library. Numerous members of the press participated live or virtually online from across the U.S. and around the world. Press coverage: Archaeologist Scott Stripling on Amulets That May Be Connected to the Mt. Ebal Curse in Deuteronomy, Eric Metaxas Radio Show, 4/28/2022 Archaeological find upends secular academia - Pod for Israel, ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry, 4/25/2022 An Early Israelite Curse Inscription from Mt. Ebal?, Biblical Archaeology, Nathan Steinmeyer, 4/25/2022 Newly Discovered Lead Tablet on Mt. Ebal – A Roundtable Discussion, OnScript, 4/14/2022 Miniature Tablet Confirms Biblical History, AG News, Dan Van Veen, 4/12/2022 Ancient Hebrew Language Artifact Discovered In Israel Linked To Biblical Passages, Theological Professor Says, Christianity Daily, Anton Carillo, 4/12/2022 Ancient Hebrew Language Fragment Uncovered Near Mt. Ebal, ChurchLeaders, Timothy Cockes, 4/11/2022 Proof in the writing, WORLD, Paul Butler, 4/7/2022 Hebrew curse tablet found by Houston archaeologist, Fox 26 Houston, 4/6/2022 Stone tablet with curse written inside may solve ancient Biblical mystery, UK Mirror, Michael Havis and Hollie Bone, 4/6/2022 Bible bombshell reveals millennia old curse that could have been written by eyewitness, Daily Star, Ewan Gleadow, 4/6/2022 New details emerge about Katy archaeologist's 'curse tablet' that could shake up Biblical timeline, Houston Chronicle, Claire Goodman, 4/5/2022 Ancient “Curse Tablet" FOUND in Israel Proves Bible's Authenticity? Watchman Newscast, Erick Stakelbeck, 4/5/2022 Did Archaeologists Discover the Oldest Hebrew Text? An Interview with Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, Dr. Sean McDowell, 4/5/2022 The Mount Ebal Curse Tablet, Featuring Dr. Scott Stripling on CenterPoint, TBN, 4/5/2022 Why does a 3,300 year-old piece of rock from Mount Ebal matter? The Times of Israel, Shawn Zelig Aster, 4/3/2022 Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Hebrew Curse Tablet, PJ Media, Chris Queen, 4/3/2022 Does 'curse amulet' prove the discovery of Joshua's altar on Mount Ebal?, The Jerusalem Post, Adam Eliyahu Berkowtiz, 4/3/2022 Katy Archaeologists bring Israel to Texas, Hello Woodlands, Judy Powell, 4/3/2022 News Alert - Hebrew Curse Tablet Deciphered - Mentions Israel's God!, Patterns of Evidence, Steve Law, 4/1/2022 Ancient Hebrew ‘Curse Tablet’ Discovered at Joshua’s Altar on Mt. Ebal, The Trumpet, Christopher Eames, 3/31/2022 Ancient "Curse Tablet" May Be Earliest Ever Example Of Hebrew Writing, Live Science, Katie Spalding, 3/31/2022 Mt. Ebal Curse Tablet discussion with Dr. Scott Stripling, The Bible Seminary, 3/31/2022 The Curse From Mount Ebal that Became an Archaeological Blessing! One For Israel, 3/30/2022 Archaeologists just found the oldest inscription of the Hebrew name of God, Aleteia, J-P Maruo, 3/29/2022 Ancient 'curse tablet' may show earliest Hebrew name of God, LiveScience, Tom Metcalfe, 3/29/2022 A curse amulet with the oldest mention of YHWH ever found in Israel, Evangelical Focus, Tim Lopez Eriksson, 3/29/2022 Temuan Tablet Kutukan, Diperkirakan Lebih Tua dari Gulungan Laut Mati, National Geographic Indonesia, Sysilia Tanhati-Senin, 3/28/2022 Curse Tablet Found on Mount Ebal Suggests Early Literacy Came to Israel, Ancient Origins, Sahir Pandey, 3/26/2022 Tablet with God’s Name, Biblical Curse, Discovered on ‘Curse Mount’ Ebal in Samaria, Jewish Press, David Israel, 3/25/2022 CURSED TREASURE Tiny Hebrew ‘curse tablet’ including name of God uncovered by archaeologists, The U.S. Sun, Jona Jaupi, 3/25/2022 Rare ‘Cursed’ Tablet Predating The Dead Sea Scrolls Discovered On Mount Ebal Could Re-Write History – Scientists Say, AncientPages.com, Conny Waters, 3/25/2022 Ancient curse amulet discovered from Mt. Ebal, Israel365 News, 3/25/2022 Lead Curse Tablet Discovered at Mount Ebal Supports the Bible's Own Internal Timeline, Word for Word Bible Comic, Simon Amadeus Piallario, 3/25/2022 3,000-Year-Old Tablet with God's Name Affirms Biblical Timeline, Archaeologist Says; Christian Headlines, Michael Foust, 3/25/2022 Archeological ‘earthquake’: Tiny tablet, ancient Hebrew curse found by Lancaster-based organization, ABC27 (WHTM) in Lancaster County, PA; Seth Kaplan and Ben Schad; 3/25/2022 Oldest Hebrew Inscription Ever Found in Israel–What We Know So Far? James Tabor, 3/25/2022 Researchers Say They’ve Deciphered an Ancient Tablet Found on Biblical Mountain, CBN News, 3/24/2022 Early Israelite Curse Inscription Found on Mt. Ebal, Haaretz, Ruth Schuster, 3/24/2022 Ancient Curse Inscription Deciphered from Tablet Discovered During Archaeological Wet Sift on Mt. Ebal, Katy Christian Magazine, Allison Taylor, 3/24/2022 Archaeologist claims to find oldest Hebrew text in Israel, including the name of God, The Times of Israel, Amanda Borschel-Dan, 3/24/2022 Ancient Hebrew ‘Curse Tablet’ Discovered at Joshua’s Altar on Mt. Ebal, Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology, Christopher Eames, 2/24/2022 Researchers decipher oldest known Hebrew inscription on 'cursed' tablet, The Jerusalem Post, Judith Sudilovsky, 3/24/2022 Ancient Curse Inscription Deciphered from Tablet Discovered During Archaeological Wet Sift on Mt. Ebal, Katy Christian Magazine, Allison Taylor, 3/24/2022 ABR Researchers Discover the Oldest Known Proto-Hebrew Inscription Ever Found, Associates for Biblical Research, 3/24/2022 Ancient curse tablet found by Katy archaeologist suggests new timeline for Old Testament events, Houston Chronicle, Claire Goodman, 3/24/2022 Does a tiny 'curse tablet' from Mt. Ebal date to the settlement of Israel?, The Times of Israel, 3/24/2022 Ancient Curse Inscription Deciphered from Tablet Discovered During Archaeological Wet Sift on Mt. Ebal, The Katy News, 3/24/2022 Ancient curse inscription deciphered from tablet discovered during archaeological wet sift on Mt. Ebal, The Scotfree, 3/24/2022 Ancient curse inscription deciphered from tablet discovered during archaeological wet sift on Mt. Ebal, ECN News, 3/24/2022 An Ancient Poem from Mount Ebal, Abigail Leavitt, 3/24/2022