As a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Nick Kalivoda began memorizing Bible scriptures on a dare. Now, more than 50 years later, the lecturer on biblical archaeology is doing more than just reciting scriptures.

He is helping others understand both their history and their faith.

Archaeology &uot;confirms the history of the Bible,&uot; Kalivoda said from his Baton Rouge, La., home this week. &uot;It’s not supposed to prove anything. It supports … that the Bible is historically and geographically accurate.&uot;

Kalivoda, who has taught Bible study courses at Louisiana State University and continues to lecture and lead study trips to the Holy Land, will present two lectures on biblical archaeology in Natchez.

Sponsored by New Covenant Presbyterian Church, the lectures begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday and again at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Both are free and open to the public.

&uot;It’s important to know who is writing, to whom he is writing and when he is writing&uot; the scripture passages, Kalivoda said. &uot;Everything in the Bible is for us, but not everything is written to us.&uot;

The subtleties of understanding that difference have been at the heart of Kalivoda’s studies. And, by understanding the discoveries of archaeologists, Kalivoda said Christians have yet another reinforcement of the accuracy of those scriptures.

The discoveries, some of which he will highlight in his presentations, confirm many of the locations and information cited in the Bible. These discoveries proved that &uot;indeed these kings did what the Bible said they did,&uot; Kalivoda said. &uot;It gives us great confidence … (because) there has not been a single discovery of anything that directly conflicts the Bible.&uot;