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The Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem

Photo: BiblePlaces.com

In John's Gospel, chapter 5 verses 1 to 15, the
author describes a pool in Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate, called
Bethesda, surrounded by five covered colonnades. Until the
19th century, there was no evidence outside of John's
Gospel for the existence of this pool.

Skeptical scholars said that the gospel
was written later, probably by someone without first-hand knowledge
of the city of Jerusalem, and that the pool had a metaphorical or
symbolic, rather than actual, significance.  Then in the
nineteenth century, archaeologists discovered the remains of a pool
exactly matching the description in John's Gospel. Yet again,
archaeology confirms that the Bible talks about real people and real
places.

Photo: BiblePlaces.com

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people: real places'

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'The Passion of the Christ'

Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' ignited strong feelings even
before it was released, with some Christian and Jewish groups accusing it
of anti-Semitism, while Churches block-booked tickets. Our review page has
links to a wide range of resources, both for those who see the film and
have questions, and for followers of Christ who want to make the most of
the opportunity this film represents. Read more...

Have scientists created life?

The belief that scientists have succeeded in creating life from
lifeless matter has become part of our current mythology. Yet the
Miller-Urey experiment, on which this belief is based, never proved as
much as was claimed for it, and is now regarded as seriously flawed. Read more...

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