Ancient History and Biblical Authenticity

[JayTheCub]

Hell'r, my name is Jake and I've been a member of this forum for a little over a year now, using this as a source of knowledge and understanding as i have been wrestling with doubts about my faith. I'm a long time listener, but first time caller.

I am currently enrolled in a ancient history class this summer, and while going through the first few chapters of the book a few questions have arisen. There seems to be a great similarity between some of the explanations of the ancient world that the religions of the day give, and phrases or ideas in the bible. These mentions of global floods, gods creating humans out of clay, serpents deceiving humans are evident in ancient Mesopotamia before the arrival of Judaism. What is to be made of this? Did the Hebrews just sprinkle in these common stories into their own religion?
Another question i have concerns the historical evidence, or maybe the lack of historical evidence concerning slaves in Egypt. My professor purports the notion that slaves were not a large part of the Egyptian society and economy. Is there evidence for Hebrew slaves in Egypt?

Im not sure if there are topics that already exist on this site that can more appropriately answer my questions, but if not i would very much appreciate any knowledge you all may have to share. Thanks for your time, Jake.

[theophilus]

The reason so many religions contain some of the things recorded in the Bible is that they actually happened. Over time the details of the stories were changed as they were handed down from one generation to another but the basic truth in them remains. The Bible is the only historical record inspired by God and therefore the only one that is completely accurate.

[JayTheCub]

The fact that all these similar events keep appearing in various ancient religions and manuscripts due to the fact that they all happened could make sense, but i believe my issue is with the timeline. If there are mentions of humans being made out of clay in Ancient Sumer and talk of global floods in the Epic of Gilgamesh, before the arrival of the Hebrews, couldn't that point to the Hebrew's adoption of such stories instead of it being inspired by God as the bible implies.

[theophilus]

There might be records of some of the events in the Bible that were written before the Bible was written but that doesn't prove the Bible writers copied these accounts.

I don't know enough about history to help you with the questions you asked but I would like to suggest another way to check the truth of the Bible. Examine it for scientific accuracy. Here is a site that can help you with this:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/

[RickD]

There might be records of some of the events in the Bible that were written before the Bible was written but that doesn't prove the Bible writers copied these accounts.

I don't know enough about history to help you with the questions you asked but I would like to suggest another way to check the truth of the Bible. Examine it for scientific accuracy. Here is a site that can help you with this:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/

Did you just say "scientific accuracy" and "answersingenesis" in the same post?

[Danieltwotwenty]

There might be records of some of the events in the Bible that were written before the Bible was written but that doesn't prove the Bible writers copied these accounts.

I don't know enough about history to help you with the questions you asked but I would like to suggest another way to check the truth of the Bible. Examine it for scientific accuracy. Here is a site that can help you with this:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/

Did you just say "scientific accuracy" and "answersingenesis" in the same post?

I'm actually surprised that the internet didn't explode, seriously though you won't get much credible information from that site

[JayTheCub]

Yeah, I appreciate you responding to my post Theophilus, however, Ken Ham and his colleagues do not hold much credibility in my eyes.
I did find another thread on here that did answer my question concerning the events in Exodus. I thought i would posit the questions concerning the ancient religions and manuscripts to see if anyone had any interesting information or perspectives to provide, but i do not think those answers will be found in Ken Ham's Genesis.

[theophilus]

Ken Ham and his colleagues do not hold much credibility in my eyes.

Perhaps you will like one of these site better:

http://scienceagainstevolution.info/index.shtml

http://www.piltdownsuperman.com/