Carter said he has followed archeological discoveries through the years in the journal Biblical Archaeology Review and often mentions important finds in his sermons. He pointed to a recent discovery that mentioned the name of King David and said archaeology has often confirmed biblical accounts. Strange is more circumspect about the results of his excavations, which he said often do not present clear evidence for or against what the Bible says. Yet, Strange said that scientific and archaeological discoveries shouldn't threaten anyone's faith. It doesn't have to rely on external validation.
Religion is a way of seeing the world and everything in the world.
Still, Carter said, it's satisfying to see skeptics proved wrong. Our faith is not based on proving it with scientific methods, but we' re scoring better than even with them. Chilton, who is an Episcopal rector in addition to his duties as a professor, said that scholarship about Jesus has tended to dissect his words and deeds into pieces. I've been struck over the years by how people responded to Jesus as a not-emotionally engaged figure. Strange agreed, and said Jesus would have been something of an outsider to friends and enemies alike.