Blog Layout

The Capitol offense: A Christian professor’s warning 50 years ago

People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)


The prescient words of professor Glenn Martin remind us why biblical Christians should reverence government as a gift of God in a fallen world.


(RNS) — An ancient tablet discovered near the Palestinian city of Nablus may contain the earliest known mention of God’s name in proto-alphabetic Hebrew.


Scott Stripling, director of the Archaeological Studies Institute at The Bible Seminary in Katy, Texas, announced the discovery of the lead tablet Thursday (March 24). He said it could push back the written record of the name “Yahweh” a couple of centuries earlier, to at least 1200 B.C. and perhaps as early as 1400 B.C. The finding may also spur renewed debate on the dating of biblical events, especially those told in the Book of Exodus. A peer-reviewed article is in process. The artifact, less than 1 inch in length and width and known as a curse tablet, also recalls the account of Joshua building an altar nearby, which Israeli archaeologist Adam Zertal excavated in the 1980s.


The curse tablet was discovered near Mount Ebal, also called the Mount of the Curse in the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua. Stripling found it in a dump site, part of the structure Zertal identified as Joshua’s altar. Stripling said the finding was a confirmation of the biblical account. In recent years, Stripling also announced the discovery of a Tabernacle platform during his ongoing excavations at biblical Shiloh.



But the 2-centimeter-square (.78-inch) amulet may be the signature discovery of a lifetime. Professor Gershon Galil of the University of Haifa said this type of discovery is made only once a millennium.


Galil deciphered the hidden internal text with another paleographer, Pieter Gert van der Veen of the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. A release from the Associates for Biblical Research press said they employed advanced tomographic scans to recover the hidden text.



The inscription reads: “Cursed, cursed, cursed — cursed by the God YHW. You will die cursed. Cursed you will surely die. Cursed by YHW – cursed, cursed, cursed.”

Scott Stripling announces the discovery of an ancient lead tablet, March 24, 2022, in Houston. Photo by Jerry Pattengale

Stripling was joined by Museum of the Bible CEO Harry Hargrave, who noted, “This little artifact helps us understand better the history, story, and impact of the Bible — all within one square inch.”


Gabriel Barkay had helped Stripling learn the wet-sifting technique in Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Barkay made the remarkable discovery in 1979 of the Ketef Hinnom scrolls, which contain the earliest biblical text discovered (circa seventh century B.C.).


The Mount Ebal tablet’s text provides context outside the biblical canon but sheds light on the historical context six centuries earlier.

“Our discovery of a Late Bronze Age inscription stunned me,” Stripling said.



The dirt around the area of the discovery was discarded over 30 years ago. It had been dry-sifted before Stripling’s decision to run it through again using the wet-sifting technique.

Dr. Jerry Pattengale of Indiana Wesleyan University Awarded Indiana’s Highest Honor by Governor Eric J. Holcomb

December 27, 2024
MARION, IND. (Dec. 23) – Dr. Jerry Pattengale, a distinguished Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) professor and administrator, has been named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb for his lifetime achievements and commitment to the Hoosier state. The award is the highest honor the Governor of Indiana can bestow. It recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in service to the state or the governor and embody Hoosier values such as hospitality, wisdom, and dedication to their community. “We are so proud of Dr. Pattengale and his longtime affiliation with the Indiana Wesleyan University community,” IWU President Jon S. Kulaga said. “This recognition reflects his unwavering commitment to education, faith, and service. We are so happy for him and appreciate all he does for IWU.” The audience of 3,500 echoed these sentiments, rising to their feet in a thunderous standing ovation that celebrated Dr. Pattengale’s remarkable achievements and profound impact. “To be put in the same company as Gus Grissom, presidents, and Willy Nelson was a freeze-frame moment that literally stunned me,” said Pattengale. “My mantra is ‘The dream needs to be stronger than the struggle.’ To be given this award was beyond dreams and there many happy tears. God be praised. Dr. Pattengale is IWU’s inaugural University Professor and was a founding scholar at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. where he still serves as Senior Advisor. His influence extends beyond academia. As a Senior Fellow with the Sagamore Institute, CSR associate publisher, and on the National Press Club’s Membership Committee, he continues to shape thought leadership on history, faith, and culture at the state and global levels. He has authored dozens of books and hundreds of articles and columns, including in prominent publications like The Chicago Tribune and The Wall Street Journal. His recent works, The New Book of Christian Martyrs (Tyndale House, 2023), The Anxious Middle (Baylor University Press, 2023), The World’s Greatest Book (Tyndale House, 2023), and Habits of Hope (IVP, 2024) have received critical acclaim. Hoosiers especially cherish his award-winning “Buck Creek” newsprint series for its engaging and insightful storytelling. His Inexplicable TV series, hosted by Dennis Haysbert, also won three Telly Awards. His forthcoming book releases March 15, 2025, The Bible’s Influence on Western Civilizations, a textbook for schools. Born and raised in Buck Creek, Ind., Dr. Pattengale’s journey from poverty and homelessness at the end of high school to becoming a globally recognized scholar is an inspiration. He even addressed the United Nations and attended meetings at the White House. With the support of Wesleyan Church members and alumni of Marion College (now IWU), he pursued higher education, serving as student body president and graduating at the top of his class. Dr. Pattengale went on to earn a Ph.D. in history from Miami University (Ohio) with perfect marks and establishing himself as a leading voice in his field.  Despite the demands of his international career, he remains deeply rooted in Indiana. He commutes from Marion to Washington, D.C. and other cities multiple times a month.

Eminem on Donald Trump: A Lesson in Logic for Musicians

November 7, 2024
During the late 1970s, I booked or helped present concerts with trailblazers like Larry Norman , Randy Stonehill , Phil Keaggy , the Archers , Found Free, and Honeytree . Their songs were wide-ranging. They were about coming clean, like “ Rattle Me Shake Me ,” nature, such as “ Here Comes the Sun ,” and our eternal destiny. “ I Wish We’d All Been Ready ” had many of us Arminians back at the altar. Every time these musicians arrived, whether in a rattly repurposed school bus or via a driver, there was an official interview of sorts—as a young Christian, I wanted to know if they were authentic in their faith. I suppose nothing has changed with this routine. Most recently, I’ve walked away smiling from time with Shane and Shane , Dylan Thomas, Brooke Ligertwood , Brandon Lake, Cody Carnes, JVKE (the Lawsons), Michael W., and others. From little to lots of time, it’s been uplifting.  Against this backdrop I’ve watched some singers in the secular space make rather bold statements—and was reminded of this public and private scrutiny of musicians’ public statements and lifestyle choices. Let me focus on one, as it highlights this election season.
More Posts
Share by: