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The Historian and His Resources
Our word history comes from a Greek work meaning
inquiry. Historians inquire about the past by
using three basic resources.
For the Christian, the proper study of history
begins with a firm belief in the Bible as the
authoritative Word of God.
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Find the Main Idea What resources do historians
use to unlock what happened in history?
Answer(s) artifacts, tradition, and written
records
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The Bible and History
While artifacts, tradition, and written records
are excellent resources, the Bible is the primary
source of truth and certainty.
It is only through the light of Gods Word that
we can fully understand the true meaning of
history.
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Biblical Principles of History
The Bible is our guide to history. It provides
principles that help us to better understand and
interpret historical events.
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Biblical Principles of History, cont
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History and You
God has a perfect plan for everything including
you. But it can only be understood through a
relationship with Jesus Christ!

• Why Study History?
• It displays the greatness and goodness of God
  (Ps. 1078)
• It sharpens your ability to discern good and
  evil, truth and error
• It illustrates the consequences of sin and the
  necessity of a righteous life (Gal. 67-8)
• It fosters a sense of gratitude for the
  contribution of previous generations
• It instills an appreciation for your heritage and
  the responsibilities that you have as a citizen
• It imparts a general education a helpful tool
  in your service and witness for Christ
• It gives a sense of mission and ministry as you
  learn of the world around you (Mark 1615)

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History and You
For everything that was written in the past was
written to teach us, so that through endurance
and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might
have hope. Romans 154
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Human Origins
Where did the first people come from? When did
they appear? Some key discoveries have provided
important pieces to the puzzle.
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• Other hominids
• Homo erectus (upright man)
• 2 to 1.5 million years ago in Africa
• Larger brain more skillful hunter
• First hominid to control fire

• Modern humans
• Homo sapiens (wise man)
• 200,000 years ago
• Larger brain more sophisticated tools
• Learned to create fire
• First to develop language

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Spreading Around the World

• The First Civilizations
• Civilization human society characterized by
  cities, specialized labor, government, arts and
  science, religious beliefs, and written language
• Cain built a city specialized labor came within
  a few generations (Gen. 417-22)
• Pre-flood people spoke the same language

• The Fall and Dispersion
• Achievements of man could not stop sinfulness
  (Gen. 65) God decided to destroy man
• God saved man through Noah
• The descendents of Noah gathered in the land of
  Shinar between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to
  build a city and a tower
• Tower of Babel symbolic of mans rebellion
  against God
• God confused language and scattered man
  throughout the earth

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