Customer Reviews

Heritage of Evidence

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I was given this book in 2004 while visiting the UK and used it while I was there to study Biblical artifacts in the British Museum. The book was so very helpful. When I returned home, I studied it further and I realized that one did not need to be in the British Museum to appreciate this readable introduction to Biblical archaeology. Peter Masters has done a WONDERFUL job of approaching the artifacts in a chronological manner. The many beautiful color photographs make this book most enjoyable to read and study. I have since been back to the British Museum several times and each time I take this book with me to help to to appreciate what I am looking at - such as the only known picture of a Hebrew king (Jehu) on the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III or the scenes of the seige of Lachish in the Lachish room and its confirmation of Bible history. My favorite artifact discussed in the book is the Cyrus cylinder which is the decree issued by Cyrus, King of Persia, allowing foreign captives to return to their homeland and worship according to their own traditions. (This was the end of the seventy years of Babylonian Captivity, the fulfillment of the prophesy of Jeremiah, the answer to Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9 and the confirmation of Ezra 1:1-3.) Through out the book, Peter Masters includes translations of ancient writings and relevant very brief Biblical passages. Each are color coded (Bible verses in orange and ancient languages in blue) to aid the reader's understanding. There are a number of helpful timelines and maps to aid the reader in understanding the various artifacts discussed.

Anyone who wonders about the veracity of the Bible or has an interest in archaeology will find this very readable book most enjoyable.Heritage of Evidence

Peter Masters is the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, the same church previously pastored by the famous Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Dr. Masters not only pastors the church, but also is active in theological education, leading a theological school and a seminary associated with the church. My wife and I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Masters and his wife in his study earlier this year. He is a brilliant Bible teacher with a keen interest in biblical history and archaeology.

One of the premier sites in London is, of course, the world famed British Museum. Upon entering the museum, the visitor is confronted with a huge amount of material, and many guides sporting various specialties on their name tags, including "Bible" tours of the museum. Even so, it was my experience, after spending hours in the museum while we were in London, to find out after coming home that there were several items in the museum related to the Bible that I did not know were there and, of course, did not see. That was most frustrating. Since coming home, however, I've come across Masters's book--and it's the next best thing to being there.

Masters takes the reader on a guided tour of the British Museum, a tour designed to show the various artifacts' relation to the Bible history. The tour is arranged by rooms; so the visitor can actually use the book for his or her own self-guided tour. But the value of the book is more than that. The pictures and descriptions are beautifully done on high quality paper, with helpful and colorful graphics.

The British Museum is especially strong in Egyptian and Assyrian history, and these have many points of contact with the Bible. Masters describes the various displays and artifacts, with many detailed photographs, and shows the passages in the Bible that are involved. At the end of the book Masters includes several important artifacts found in other museums as well, to round out the fabulous collection in the British Museum.

The net effect is to see that the Bible is indeed accurate in its history, agreeing with the best ancient history revealed through archaeology. Not only that, but these ancient writings and artifacts actually help us understand many biblical portions that may be obscure otherwise.

This book is a great tool in apologetics, illustrating in a detailed and interesting way the historical trustworthiness of the Bible. Since the book is published by a non-profit firm (The Wakeman Trust), its cost is much lower than a comparable book would be.

This is a thin guidebook to the exhibit at the British Museum. I purchased it for the pictures because I will never be there to see the exhibit. Now I wish I good go and see it in person! Love the book.

After reading this book I decided to rename the 'British Museum' as 'The Bible Museum'.

I've often heard that there is little evidence for the historical record of the Bible, but this book shows how wrong these people are. There is loads of evidence.

I visited the British Museum a few years ago and felt a little 'lost' in the meaning of everything, but this book made sense of it for me.

You don't need to visit the museum to enjoy this book, but I hope to take it with me next time I visit.