The re-creation model of Herod’s Temple Mount often displayed today has essentially been accepted as dogma for over 30 years. The model was published and defended by Kathleen and Leen Ritmeyer, archaeologist and architect, in 1992 [1] and championed 14 years later in his well-written and well-illustrated book [2]. The problem, in my view, is that the model is rich in speculation and poor in lining up with written accounts from eyewitness historians like Josephus. The model of Herod’s...

Mount Ararat in easternmost Turkey has long been widely perceived as the resting place of Noah’s Ark. Modern geological studies have seemingly disproven a world-wide flood. Yet this has not dissuaded many from remaining fast to a literal interpretation of the Genesis flood story. There are also flood traditions outside the bible. It’s been said that virtually all Armenians believe Mount Ararat to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark. But how did this mountain acquire that fame? After...

Critics of the New Testament quickly point out what appears to be a glaring mistake in the gospels—there are two quite different lists of...