63 Bible and Spade 22.3 (2009)
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Bible and Spade 22.3 (2009) 63 EDITOR: Contents Bryant G. Wood, PhD EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Richard D. Lanser Jr., MA, MDiv GRAPHICS AND PHOTO EDITOR: Michael C. Luddeni, NAPP The Life and Legacy of Dr. David Livingston Scott Lanser..................................................................65 CONSULTING EDITORS: Rev. Gary A. Byers, MA Rev. Scott Lanser, MA Henry B. Smith, Jr., MA Dave’s Very First Dig William Saxton, MA Esther Livingston.........................................................72 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: David P. Livingston, Founder Rev Gary A. Byers, President Our Rich History and the Future of ABR George DeLong, Treasurer Gary A. Byers................................................................73 Ronald K. Zuck, Secretary Bible and Spade is received four times a year by members of the Associates Researching Ai for Biblical Research. For an annual contribution of $35.00 or more, members Bryant G. Wood............................................................75 sustain the research and outreach ministries of ABR, including the world- wide radio program “The Stones Cry “Remember, Archaeology is NOT a Treasure Hunt!” Out.” To contact ABR, write P.O. Box Gordon Franz................................................................79 144, Akron PA 17501, or email ABR@ biblearchaeology.org. Visit our website at http://www.biblearchaeology.org. Researching Jericho © 2009 Associates for Biblical Research. Bryant G. Wood.............................................................82 All rights reserved. ISSN 1079-6959. ABR purpose and statement of faith sent on request. The Future is Bright for ABR Opinions expressed by authors not on Scott Lanser..................................................................85 the editorial staff of Bible and Spade are not necessarily those of the Associates for Biblical Research. A Tribute to Dr. David Livingston All Scripture quotations are taken Gordon Franz................................................................90 from the New International Version unless specified otherwise. Front cover: Dr. David Livingston examining pottery Editorial guidelines will be sent upon excavated at one of the digs at Khirbet Nisya. request. Photo by Michael Luddeni Bible and Spade 22.3 (2009) The Life and Legacy of Dr. David Livingston By Scott Lanser Dr. David Livingston has devoted his life to teaching the and re-establishing the proper interpretation of archaeological Word of God and upholding and defending the Bible. He has evidence, continues as a key objective of ABR. ABR scholars been an inspiration to laymen and scholars alike and to all those also write on any number of different issues that affect the who love the Bible, the Word of the living God. reliability of the Bible. Some areas of focus include Noah’s Ark As the founder and director of ABR, David was led of God to research; issues in the book of Genesis; early man; contemporary establish a ministry that would demonstrate the reliability of the issues related to biblical history; the text of the Bible; and a Bible and provide an umbrella organization under which like- myriad of other topics. Ultimately, David wanted ABR to have minded scholars could serve. His passion was fueled by the an impact not only on the Church but on the general culture as distortions of critics who declared that whole portions of Old well, as people would hear of the powerful evidences for the Testament narratives were unhistorical. reliability of the Bible. What was at stake was the very authority In 1979, David began his excavations at Khirbet Nisya of the Word of God. Through ABR and its team of scholars, in search of the lost city of Ai. The city of Ai was one of the the Church of Jesus Christ was receiving important research Conquest cities spoken of in the book of Joshua, as the Lord led data that would strengthen its grasp of biblical authority. ABR Israel to conquer the land He had given them. The dig at Nisya continues to produce important scholarly and popular works to would last 24 years, during which time David would earn his educate and edify the Body of Christ. Ph.D. from Andrews University in 1989. It is important to note the staggering significance of David’s Foundational to his work at Ai was his breakthrough research legacy. In a day of post-modern skepticism and the retreat among properly establishing that the city of Bethel is located at el-Bireh many evangelicals from a clear and unequivocal concept of and not at Beitin. This correction to the work of W.F. Albright biblical authority, David’s life and ministry has been a corrective clearly fit the biblical data more precisely, and opened the door force. Indeed, after many years of decline there is a renewed to the correct identification of the city of Ai. focus and passion among younger evangelicals in search of David pioneered a new model for establishing a dig in Israel, answers. The skepticism of our age has resulted in the raising without large foundations or funding sources being the primary of a new generation of believers eager to provide answers to the underwriters of such excavations. His work in raising teams of critics and to those seeking the truth. diggers who would fund their own way to Israel to participate in We owe Dr. David Livingston a debt of gratitude for leading the project had never been tried before. Under David’s skillful the way and leaving a legacy for today’s scholars and students. leadership this new model took shape, and in this way the entire David combined the mind of the scholar and the heart of a pastor dig was funded. Indeed, this approach has been followed by in the ministry of ABR. May those of us who have received the ABR in every subsequent dig. In addition to this model, David blessing of his life and legacy pass this blessing along to future worked closely with the Israeli Antiquities Authority to maintain generations. a strong relationship so that trust would be established. That relationship has lasted for over 30 years, and ABR continues to enjoy the fruit of that relationship down to this day. Until David Livingston, no private Christian organization could have conceived of operating its own dig. Thanks to David’s visionary Scott Lanser is Executive Director leadership and his dogged determination, evangelicals have been of ABR with an MA in New Testament given extraordinary opportunities for archaeological excavation Studies from Biblical Theological in Israel. Seminary, Hatfield PA. He serves as David’s leadership of ABR has drawn together a team of pastor of New Hope Bible Fellowship scholars who continue his vision to the present day. That vision, in Lancaster PA. focused on dismantling the false conclusions of biblical critics Bible and Spade 22.3 (2009) 65 66 Bible and Spade 22.3 (2009) Bible and Spade 22.3 (2009) 67 68 Bible and Spade 22.3 (2009) Bible and Spade 22.3 (2009) 69 70 Bible and Spade 22.3 (2009) Bible and Spade 22.3 (2009) 71 By Esther Livingston The following edited excerpt was taken from A History of ABR: over a frame), and they stood in the muck and dug shovel after Its Founders and Associates (1969–1994), written in 2003 by shovel of pottery-laden dirt out of the hole. Mr. Choi did, indeed, Esther Livingston, David’s wife. It gives a fascinating glimpse of declare that we had found the oldest pottery ever discovered in the event God used to first turn David Livingston’s attention toward Korea—Old Stone Age, 3000 years old! archaeology. The full article can be read on the ABR website. Well—without going into any more detail, you can imagine what happened next. We began “digging-digging-digging” until 1965―Kang Nung, Korea. We were missionaries on the east after a year’s time we had uncovered a substantial square, 13 by coast city of Kang Nung, next to the Sea of Japan. Dave was 23 feet, which we were to discover was an ancient Stone Age president (Hak Jang) of Kwan Dong Teh Hak (Eastern Korea subterranean house. Christian College), situated between the steep, rugged mountains Was God using such a simple thing as the tether-ball to change in Kang Won Do and the ocean. It was the garden spot of Korea. direction in our lives? For now the beginning of Dave’s fascination We loved it! The mission had given him the responsibility to take with archaeology was launched, and there was no stopping it. a Buddhist college and turn it into a Christian college. This was Out of this excavation came a museum in the college with dozens only accomplished by God’s grace, and not without struggles and of Old Stone Age artifacts—perfect stone knives, axes, plates, heartaches. At times we were the only Americans in the area, and arrowheads, charred grain, pottery, and much more. He would Dave would come home from the college and look in the mirror come home from the college and he, the kids and I (even the dog to see if he was Korean or American! But the hardest part was who insisted on digging holes!) would run out behind the house having to send our children, Beth, David and Tommy, to boarding with our tools and dig, stopping only to eat and go to bed! The next school in Seoul—a sacrifice the mission required of us in order to morning our ajimoni (helper—cook and housekeeper) would come continue this work. in to fix breakfast and find old, OLD pottery washed and draining We loved the students and especially the professors. One favorite in the sink, and had FITS and exclaim, “Just WHAT do you want was the history professor, Mr. Choi. He spent hours sharing Korean BROKEN pots for?!” history and taking us on trips around the countryside to see “Old There were many problems at the college just then—firing of Korea.” We collected books and read about their ancient history, dishonest professors, changing board members; the mayor and and were fascinated.