The 19th AIIAS Annual Theological Forum entitled Digging the Scriptures – Light on the Text Coming from the Past which commenced on November 10-12, 2016 focused on archaeological study and biblical interpretation as a tool for rediscovering ancient history.
“Biblical archaeology is an important tool to understand better the times, places, circumstances, and messages from the past to the present through the Scriptures,” said Ricardo González, AIIAS Seminary Dean.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Hasel, Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Professor of Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology/Religion in the School of Religion, Southern Adventist University, stated, “We are going to delve into an issue that some of you may wonder what the connection is between archaeology, history, and prophesy. But as we unfold this, I think that we will see that connection very very clearly.”
Joining him with various topics relating to archaeology were other international speakers including Dr. Constance Clark Gane, Associate Professor of Archaeology and Old Testament at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary of Andrews University and Curator of the Siegfried H. Horn Archaeological Museum; Dr. Adolfo Roitman, author and the curator of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Head of the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem; and Dr. Scott Stripling, Director of the Khirbet el-Maqatir excavation, among other presenters from the AIIAS Theological Seminary.
One of the highlights was a table of original, stone-carved artifacts, some recreated in resin cast which was dug up in various archaeological locations.
“I believe you will be fascinated by their presentations and inspired as you see how archaeology is shedding new light on the Scriptures and confirming our Faith”, stated Dr. Stephen Guptill, AIIAS President.
Among the 300 attendees were students from the AIIAS Theological Seminary, including church pastors, teachers, and leaders from different missions and conferences.
“This forum is really important for me since I really want to know more about what God is doing in the past and how archaeology is connected to Biblical languages and people. This illuminates the bible itself and makes me understand more about God’s word,” says Sonny Maromon, a student of Master of Arts in Religion, Biblical Languages.
The AIIAS Theological Seminary is currently planning to have a forum in 2017 for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Christian Reformation. Kindly visit the AIIAS website for announcements and details.
