Archaeologist Alan Millard's Life and Vocational Journey as a Teacher
In the realm of biblical scholarship, few names have resonated as profoundly as that of Alan Ralph Millard. Born in 1937, Millard dedicated his life to the study of ancient texts, archaeology, and theology.
Based in Spain, Millard served as a professor at the IBSTE Faculty of Theology in Castelldefels, Barcelona, and was later appointed as the academic dean and professor of Old Testament. His colleague at the faculty was Arturo Terrazas.
Millard's academic journey extended beyond Spain, as he also served at the British Museum, where he made a significant discovery—the Atrahasis epic, an ancient work that describes a flood remarkably similar to the one depicted in the book of Genesis.
His work was not confined to the halls of academia. Millard also served as a pastor at the Community Church of Oak Orchard, demonstrating his commitment to bridging the gap between scholarship and faith.
Throughout his career, Millard emphasized the truthfulness of the Bible narrative, particularly the incarnation of our Lord, and underscored the value of archaeology in deepening our understanding of the Bible. He often pointed to the shepherd king, a role depicted in both the Bible and Egyptian and Assyrian iconography, as an example of a king who cares for his people.
Pharaohs, too, were depicted holding shepherd's staffs, symbolising their role as caretakers of their people. This is reminiscent of the way kings were referred to in Mesopotamian texts—as kings.
In the Bible, Jesus is described as a carpenter, a term that can also be translated as mason. This echoes the shepherd king role, suggesting a metaphorical connection between the craftsman and the caretaker.
Millard's life was encapsulated in a quote from Ecclesiastes: "Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole of man.
