Things which are published in Christian literature create questions. With all certainty I can only answer those questions found in the Holy Scripture with the Word of God.

For instance, if the question arises about the »Dead Sea Scrolls«, then I can only give my opinion, for it is not a biblical theme. I personally have no esteem for them at all. Firstly, because 95 % of the text is not legible, as was recently stated by the experts. And secondly, because they are being used to contradict the writings of the New Testament. It is settled for ever in heaven and on earth that the New Testament is true and trustworthy since it was written based on facts only two thousand years ago. The scrolls of a sect which only consisted of men who lived together in a monastery are very doubtful. The writings only express the views of that group and are in no connection with the New Testament and therefore are not applicable at all. The books written about them, for instance »The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered«, are hypothetical and of no value for any believer.

Others wish to know if it is true that the direct point in the Red Sea was discovered where Israel marched through. They speak of films which were taken showing thousands of wagons, especially the wheels of the Egyptian army are displayed. I do not need a film, neither do I worry if such evidence exists. For us as Bible-believing Christians, the stated facts are sufficient. We believe the testimony of the Scripture, even if we do not see the evidence. Should it be the case, like it is with Noah’s ark in the mountain of Ararat, then it is a proof for the unbelievers.

Again some are enthusiastic about a film which shows the excavations at Golgotha’s Hill, where Christ was crucified, claiming to have found the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant. I have been there 15 times since 1964, but never noticed it. Maybe it is safer to say, is supposed to show. How the Ark of the Covenant which was in the Temple on Mount Zion could have been transferred into the inside of the place of the skull no one knows. According to another version the Ark of the Covenant after the destruction of Jerusalem was taken to Italy by the soldiers of Titus and is kept in the custody of the Vatican. There is even talk that it will be given back in the year 2000 when the pope plans to visit Jerusalem. Again others assert that the Ark of the Covenant remained in the same place and is buried under the ruins of the Temple. After the battle against Jerusalem Vespasianus had a triumph march through Rome, displaying the captured material from Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant was not among the items like the Menorah, the seven-armed golden candlestick. One must ask what have these different versions and speculations to do with our faith? It seems that through such things the attention is being distracted from the main points which are now so essential. John on the Isle of Patmos saw the Ark of the Covenant in heaven (Rev. 11:19). That should be sufficient for us. The rest will be the concern with the Jews when the Temple is re-built.

Again some wish to know if at the very beginning of Christianity the believers were carrying the symbol of a fish. Most certainly not! Neither Christians of the first generation or those after had ever an outward symbol. For Jewish Christians this would have been totally impossible, as it is contrary to their law, wherein the symbol of a fish was forbidden to be shaped (Dt. 4:18). Dagon, the fishgod of the Philistines had his head and arms cut off laying before the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam. 5).

In the beginning of the Christian era there was also no symbol of the cross carried about. Only after Constantine claimed to have seen a cross in the sky this idea came into existence. The cross with the corpus, known as crucifix, was introduced in the 9th century and was used and misused for the first crusade (1096-1099), throughout the Dark Ages and ever since. The cross then was the way of the Roman capital death, like the electric chair in the USA now. Christ died under Roman punishment on the cross being crucified by four Roman soldiers who divided His garment making four parts (Jn. 19:23). But He is no more on the cross nor in the grave. He rose triumphantly and ascended into Heaven (Lk. 24:50-21; Acts 1:9-10).

Many things are being presented as very interesting, in reality they are not. Even now »holy water from the Jordan river« is sold. And recently some started to export the »holy air« directly from Jerusalem.

It is sad to observe that those who are not true believers of the Word do believe almost anything. Children of God are not even interested in those other things. They stay with the testimony of the Scripture, do not add nor take away anything of it. They are just grateful for God’s Word wherein true faith anchors. Everything else is connected to unbelief and superstition which does not benefit at all, in the contrary leaves spiritual damage behind.

Things which are published in Christian literature create questions. With all certainty I can only answer those questions found in the Holy Scripture with the Word of God.

For instance, if the question arises about the »Dead Sea Scrolls«, then I can only give my opinion, for it is not a biblical theme. I personally have no esteem for them at all. Firstly, because 95 % of the text is not legible, as was recently stated by the experts. And secondly, because they are being used to contradict the writings of the New Testament. It is settled for ever in heaven and on earth that the New Testament is true and trustworthy since it was written based on facts only two thousand years ago. The scrolls of a sect which only consisted of men who lived together in a monastery are very doubtful. The writings only express the views of that group and are in no connection with the New Testament and therefore are not applicable at all. The books written about them, for instance »The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered«, are hypothetical and of no value for any believer.

Others wish to know if it is true that the direct point in the Red Sea was discovered where Israel marched through. They speak of films which were taken showing thousands of wagons, especially the wheels of the Egyptian army are displayed. I do not need a film, neither do I worry if such evidence exists. For us as Bible-believing Christians, the stated facts are sufficient. We believe the testimony of the Scripture, even if we do not see the evidence. Should it be the case, like it is with Noah’s ark in the mountain of Ararat, then it is a proof for the unbelievers.

Again some are enthusiastic about a film which shows the excavations at Golgotha’s Hill, where Christ was crucified, claiming to have found the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant. I have been there 15 times since 1964, but never noticed it. Maybe it is safer to say, is supposed to show. How the Ark of the Covenant which was in the Temple on Mount Zion could have been transferred into the inside of the place of the skull no one knows. According to another version the Ark of the Covenant after the destruction of Jerusalem was taken to Italy by the soldiers of Titus and is kept in the custody of the Vatican. There is even talk that it will be given back in the year 2000 when the pope plans to visit Jerusalem. Again others assert that the Ark of the Covenant remained in the same place and is buried under the ruins of the Temple. After the battle against Jerusalem Vespasianus had a triumph march through Rome, displaying the captured material from Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant was not among the items like the Menorah, the seven-armed golden candlestick. One must ask what have these different versions and speculations to do with our faith? It seems that through such things the attention is being distracted from the main points which are now so essential. John on the Isle of Patmos saw the Ark of the Covenant in heaven (Rev. 11:19). That should be sufficient for us. The rest will be the concern with the Jews when the Temple is re-built.

Again some wish to know if at the very beginning of Christianity the believers were carrying the symbol of a fish. Most certainly not! Neither Christians of the first generation or those after had ever an outward symbol. For Jewish Christians this would have been totally impossible, as it is contrary to their law, wherein the symbol of a fish was forbidden to be shaped (Dt. 4:18). Dagon, the fishgod of the Philistines had his head and arms cut off laying before the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam. 5).

In the beginning of the Christian era there was also no symbol of the cross carried about. Only after Constantine claimed to have seen a cross in the sky this idea came into existence. The cross with the corpus, known as crucifix, was introduced in the 9th century and was used and misused for the first crusade (1096-1099), throughout the Dark Ages and ever since. The cross then was the way of the Roman capital death, like the electric chair in the USA now. Christ died under Roman punishment on the cross being crucified by four Roman soldiers who divided His garment making four parts (Jn. 19:23). But He is no more on the cross nor in the grave. He rose triumphantly and ascended into Heaven (Lk. 24:50-21; Acts 1:9-10).

Many things are being presented as very interesting, in reality they are not. Even now »holy water from the Jordan river« is sold. And recently some started to export the »holy air« directly from Jerusalem.

It is sad to observe that those who are not true believers of the Word do believe almost anything. Children of God are not even interested in those other things. They stay with the testimony of the Scripture, do not add nor take away anything of it. They are just grateful for God’s Word wherein true faith anchors. Everything else is connected to unbelief and superstition which does not benefit at all, in the contrary leaves spiritual damage behind.