Today I have posted an article on Mount Nemrut at biblicalstudies.info. I think you will find the article of interest.
The Kingdom of Commagene was important in the first century B.C., and has connections with Alexander the Great and Darius, and with one of the characters mentioned in the New Testament. I think you will enjoy it.
This photo shows the approach to the top of Mount Nemrut in Eastern Turkey. The Euphrates River valley is far below in the haze.
When we began this little blog to post photos of our Ancient Crossroads Tour of Biblical and Historical Turkey, we never even thought about reaching 20,000 hits. But, it should happen today. Thanks for making this a site you visit regularly.
There are many things I would like to blog about if I could find the time, but I have basically tried to limit myself to things pertaining to travel in the Bible lands.
As our gift to you for traveling along with us, here is a picture of a woman caring for goats in the Jordan River valley on the east side. This photo was made in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, looking across to Israel. In Roman times (the period of the New Testament) this area was known as Perea. The New Testament never uses the word Perea, but the Greek New Testament has the word peran (translated beyond), in the phrase “beyond the Jordan” (Matthew 19:1; John 1:28; 10:40). Jesus spent a considerable about of time in this region (John 10:40-42; Luke 13:22-35, et al.).
Posted in Bible Places, Bible Study, blog, Israel, Jordan, New Testament
Tagged Jordan River, Perea
An Associated Press report by Anne Gearan is headlined “Bush Visits Biblical Holy Sites.” You may read the entire article here. The article says,
Bush retraced the steps of Jesus and his disciples in the ancient town of Capernaum and gazed out on the nearby Sea of Galilee, where the Bible says Jesus walked on water and calmed a sudden storm by commanding the wind and waves to cease. The waters were crystal blue and calm when Bush visited, leaning in to listen as a brown-robed friar narrated his tour with New Testament passages.
“An amazing experience,” Bush happily said later.
It is an amazing experience for anyone with an interest in the Bible and Jesus. Bush is reported to have said, “I came as a pilgrim.” Many people make pilgrimages to worship at a particular holy site. There is, perhaps, a higher purpose for visiting these sites. On our tours we seek to demonstrate the accuracy of the Bible in describing the Bible land. This involves learning about the geography and topography of the land that help one to better understand the important events that transpired there.
Sunset at Dalmanutha
The photo above was made at sunset from the site known as Dalmanutha, near the Mount of Beatitudes. Dalmanutha is mentioned only once in the New Testament. After the feeding of the 4000, Mark records that Jesus immediately “entered the boat with His disciples and came to the district of Dalmanutha” (Mark 8:10). In the distance, on the left, you can see the silhouette of Mount Arbel. Then, just to the right of that is the Via Maris (the way to the Mediterranean Sea) from Galilee. The saddle-shaped hill is an extinct volcano known as the Horns of Hattin.
It is “an amazing experience” to visit this land and contemplate these great events.
Posted in Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Israel, New Testament, Photography, Travel
Tagged Dalmanutha, President Bush, Sea of Galilee
Yesterday I received an Email from Dr. Georg S. Adamsen in Denmark, asking that I change the link to his Revelation Resources page on my Biblical Studies Info Page. First, let me say I appreciate his notifying me of the change. Many individuals ask to include a link but never notify us when they close down the page.
Revelation Resources is now presented in blog format. Adamsen describes the blog this way:
Revelation Resources – about 250 hand-picked references on valuable resources for the study of the Book of Revelation. Many topics have separate introductions…
My Old Testament in the Book of Revelation has been included at Revelation Resources for several years. I was pleasantly surprised this evening when I was checking the URL to see that the book is featured on this page (January 7).
Because the current publisher of the book does not have a marketing strategy many people think the book is out of print. You may secure a copy from the Florida College Bookstore. I wasn’t able to locate the book on the website, but you can send an Email to bookstore@floridacollege.edu for information. I think the book now sells for $4.95. I saw a used copy on Amazon recently for $59.96!
Florida College also recently reprinted my Studies in the Book of Revelation. It sells for $5.99. In my judgment this is an excellent source for a class study of the Revelation.
Studies in the Book of Revelation (90 page paperback) is composed of these sections.
Introducing the Book at the End of the Bible
Worthy Is the Lamb
Saints Victorious
Does Revelation Teach Premillennialism?
Letters to the Seven Churches
Emperor Worship in the Book of Revelation
If you prefer to call Florida College Bookstore and speak to one of the friendly staff, use their toll free number (1-800-423-1648).
What does this have to do with travel, you wonder. The Revelation was written to the seven churches of Asia, the Roman province of Asia Minor, in the late first century A.D. The seven cities were Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Several of them have significant ruins that can be visited. We have included them on several study tours we call Steps of Paul and John, including Turkey, Greece, and the Aegean Islands. During the course of this tour we spend some time lecturing on the setting of the Book of Revelation. We plan to do that in May when we again visit these and other cities associated with Paul and John.
This photo shows the reconstruction of the Temple of (Roman Emperor) Trajan ( A.D. 98-117). This was the second temple in Pergamum dedicated to the Emperor. The first temple in all of Asia was erected to Augustus in 29 B.C. Altogether Pergamum had three imperial temples.
Posted in Bible Lands, Bible Study, Biblical Studies, Book Review, Books, New Testament, New Testament Times, Travel, Turkey
Tagged Apocalypse, Augustus, Pergamum, Revelation, Revelation Resources, Roman Emperor, Trajan
Mark and Dena Roberts prepared a Bible Reading Program a few years ago that allows one to read through the Bible in a year by reading the assignment for five days each week. This is practical, as many find they are unable to maintain a daily schedule. It allows for the reading of both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
You may download a free copy of the program by clicking here. Churches may purchase the right to duplicate multiple copies.
Posted in Bible Study, New Testament, Old Testament
Tagged Bible Reading Program, Mark Roberts
The media is giving its usual Christmas Eve attention to Bethlehem today. The New Testament teaches that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king (Matthew 2:1). The month, day, and year of the birth of Jesus is not stated in the New Testament. We do have some historical information that helps with the date, but not precise information is available (Luke 2).
Do we know the place of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem? About A.D. 160 Justin Martyr said, “when the child was born in Bethlehem, since Joseph could not find a lodging in that village, he took up his quarters in a certain cave near the village” (Dialogue With Trypho, 78). Near the middle of the third century Origen said that the cave where Jesus was born was being shown and that even the enemies of the faith were talking of it. Jerome was a resident of Bethlehem from A.D. 386 until his death in A.D. 420. He tells how the birthplace of Jesus, the place of the crucifixion and the tomb where Jesus had lain were defiled from the time of Hadrian to the reign of Constantine. The Church of the Nativity now stands at this spot. Of this location, Dalman says:
No one could discern in this former rocky chamber the place of the Nativity. The altar at the east end was perhaps not erected originally to designate the exact spot, although the background of the grotto would make it probable. Here also is the only remarkable feature in it, namely a small adjoining room which contains in the right wall a low niche resembling a manger (Sacred Sites and Ways, 38).
Typical of so many, this site has enjoyed its share of fanciful speculations. Tradition locates the spot where the adoration of the Magi took place and a projection in the background is taken to be the table at which the Virgin ate with the Magi. Like so much speculation, these overlook the fact that the gospel account represents the Magi as arriving at some time after the birth of Jesus and that they found the child with Mary in a “house.” The Wise Men may have had a fast means of transportation, but one should not forget that they traveled by plain, not plane; they came not from the east side of town, but from the East.
This photo shows the exterior of the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.
The Church of the Nativity has a long history. It is now a Greek Orthodox church. Underneath the altar is the Grotto of the Nativity where it is said that Jesus was born. Maybe, maybe not. A silver star was set in the marble pavement in 1717. The Latin inscription, “HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS EST.” The translation: “Here Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary.”
Among the confusion of the date of the birth of Jesus, and the lack of New Testament authority for a church celebration on a certain day, let us not forget that the eternal Word became flesh, and dwelt among men in order to bring salvation to those who obey Him through his death upon the cross (John 1:1, 14; Luke 19:10).
“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” – Hebrews 5:8-9, ESV
Posted in Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Church History, Israel, New Testament
Tagged Bethlehem, Christ, Christmas, Church of Nativity, Salvation
The study of apologetics or evidences for the defense of Christianity has been a special interest of mine for half a century now. While there has been opposition to Christianity as a divinely revealed religion, and to the Bible as the special revelation of the mind of God all along, much of it has been subtle. Of late we have begun to notice that Atheism has become evangelistic in their opposition to the Faith.
Time publishes a list of Top 10 this and that at the end of the year. I took a look at the Top 10 Religion Stories. Number 7 in that list is “The Roar of Atheist Books.” Here is a brief summary:
Statistics may or may not show that there has been an actual increase in the number of Americans who believe there is no God. But one thing is certain: Conservative religious influence riled up enough secular authors to produce a slew of skeptical literature, and enough readers were intrigued to turn Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) and Sam Harris (Letter to a Christian Nation) into bold-faced names and turn Christopher Hitchens (God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything), bold-faced already, into a one-man literary cottage industry.
Christians must not hide their heads in the sand and hope no one notices these works. Even in New Testament times, Peter urged the Christians who were living in a society a lot like ours to be set for the defense of the Gospel.
But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you. (1 Peter 3:15-16, NET Bible)
At BiblicalStudies.info, there are many good links under Apologetics that will help you prepare to answer attacks on the faith. Become acquainted with these materials.
The arrogance of atheism is astounding. Imagine a person who lives on one square meter of the earth (at any given time) for a total of 60 to 100 years, being able to make pronouncements about eternity and all things. The writer of Hebrews says, “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God” (Hebrews 3:5, NET Bible). It is amazing that individuals who attribute everything to chance think they are so smart. And if they are right, we can’t help being believers!
This morning Time has an article about Sunday School for Atheists. The children in our Bible classes need to learn Bible stories, but they also need to learn the evidences that help to sustain the faith against various cultural attacks.
You might want to take a look at the Blog of Dr. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Seminary. He regularly writes blogs dealing with these cultural issues. Be sure to note what he has said about The Golden Compass.
Posted in Bible Study, Biblical Studies, Culture, New Testament
Tagged Albert Mohler, apologetics, atheism, Christian evidences, Golden Compass, Time, Top 10
Today’s Zaman, reports that the archaeological excavation at Ephesus may continue “for centuries.” The article says that work began at Ephesus 138 years ago. This reference seems to be to 1869 when the English architect J. T. Wood found the marble floor of the temple of Diana. Some research had been done as early as 1845.
Most of the archaeological work at Ephesus has been done by Austrians. They began the work in 1895 and have continued until the present time.
The article reports an interview with Dr. Fritz Krinziner, director of the dig and head of the Austrian Archaeology Institute. I note that Dr. Krinziner wrote Preface 2 in Ephesus: 100 Years of Austrian Research, published in 1996. Here are a few interesting comments from the article.
” He [Krinziner] stressed that it would be impossible to uncover the entire ancient city at once, underlining that only 10-15 percent of the site has been unearthed so far.”
“The excavation work may last for centuries. This is not an easy job. We focus on spots where we are likely to find something important as we cannot carry out the entire excavation at once.”
The article says that 1.5 million people visited Ephesus last year. An added note says that the Greater Izmir Municipality has announced plans “to establish an electric railway connection, similar to a tram, in Ephesus.”
The complete article may still be available here.
I speak to some people who seem to think that most of the archaeological work in various biblical cities has already been done. The work is complete! Think again.
Ephesus is visited by many tourists who have no interest in the Bible. They arrive on the cruise ships that dock at nearby Kusadasi. Others find the ruins interesting because the city was the site of Paul’s work (Acts 19). I think the tradition that the apostle John was here prior to being exiled to Patmos is a reliable one. The first letter within the book of Revelation is addressed to the church at Ephesus (Rev. 2).
This photo shows the Library of Celsus and some costumed actors from one of the cruise ships putting on a show for the passengers.
The Library was built in A.D. 135, after the time of Paul and John. The first time I saw this area, in 1968, only the steps were visible. The Austrian excavators did a marvelous job of reconstruction between 1970 and 1978. It is estimated that the Library could hold between 9,500 and 12,000 rolls. The arch to the right leads to the ancient agora.
We visit Ephesus on our Steps of Paul and John tour.
Today is Yom Kuppur, the Day of Atonement, for those who follow the Mosaic system. Information may be found in Leviticus 16 (NET Bible) in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible). If you would like to read a modern Jewish description of the day read Judaism 101.
Christians who follow the New Testament believe that the Mosaic system has been removed and superseded by the gospel of Christ. Various New Testament writers have spoken on these matters. Here are a few significant references: Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:11-14; 2 Corinthians 3. Three entire New Testament epistles are devoted to discussions of the subject: Romans, Galatians, Hebrews. Hebrews 9:22-28 indicates that the offering of Christ is a one-time event, and sufficient to cover the sins of man.
Notice a few comments.
Hebrews 10:1-4 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (NASB).
Contrast this with the great proclamation of John the Baptist in the Gospel of John 1:29: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”
Last year Todd Bolen posted a blog, with photos, of some residents of Jerusalem who “In the absence of a temple and the blood sacrifices that provide atonement for sins, some Jews today observe a sacrificial ceremony with a chicken.” You can find the full post here. I learned of a similar annual practice (not associated with Judaism) on a visit to Nepal a few years ago. Didn’t work before; won’t work now.
Posted in Bible Study, Biblical Studies, New Testament, Old Testament
For those with an interest in Church History, Scotland provides many links. Scotland was influenced by the work of both Martin Luther and John Calvin, who were already advancing the Reformation principles in the early part of the 1500s. Sixteenth century Scottish leaders, who began their work a few years later, included George Wishart and John Knox.
Those of us with a background in the Restoration Movement in America find ourselves in agreement with many of the principles of the Reformation, but not with all of them. Thomas and Alexander Campbell came to America from Northern Ireland. In that area the people “were predominantly Anglo-Scottish in blood and Protestant in religion” (West). Thomas Campbell came to America in 1807. In 1808, when Alexander set out for America he was shipwrecked on the rugged shores of Scotland. Alexander entered Glasgow University where his father has studied earlier. He studied Greek, Logic, and Experimental Philosophy. He came in contact with several independent movements and was especially influenced by James and Robert Haldane. John Glas and Robert Sandeman influenced the young Campbell also. Their churches were congregational in government with a plurality of elders and deacons. They rejected human creeds, advocated weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper. See West, The Search for the Ancient Order, I:36-52.
In America, Barton W. Stone and the Campbells rejected the Calvinistic doctrines of inherited depravity, the direct operation of the Holy Spirit, etc. They determined that the New Testament was the standard of authority for Christians, and that baptism for forgiveness of sins is immersion. Infants did not need to be baptized because they are not sinners.
Writings of some of the Restoration leaders are available online at the Restoration Movement Page.
King James VI (James Stuart) of Scotland was King of Scots, King of England, and King of Ireland. He “authorized” the translation of the Bible that we still know as the King James Bible (1611). King James was born in Edinburgh Castle. The finished product was largely the work of William Tyndale whose New Testament was printed in 1525. His work on the Old Testament was completed by Miles Coverdale and the entire English Bible was first printed in 1535. Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake in 1536. A nice time line on the Reformation can be studied at the Friends of Tyndale page.
Prior to the work of Tyndale in Scotland, Martin Luther was pushing the Reformation in Germany. Zwingli was at work in eastern Switzerland., and John Calvin was working with Theodore Beze in Geneva, Switzerland.
This beautiful and sunny morning I visited the John Knox house in Edinburgh. It is a house dating to the time of Knox and has been sparsely furnished in period furniture. It serves as a museum of the work of Knox. There are several printed volumes (including the Geneva Bible) of the time on display. The Knox house is located on the Royal Mile.
This modern scribe, sitting at a table in the Knox house, is thinking about correcting some of the Calvinistic ideas advanced by Knox.
I believe these men failed in some regards, but I am grateful for the work they did to bring us this far. To paraphrase the words of Bernard of Clairvaux, “If we can see further it is because we are standing on the shoulders of giants.”
“Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” – The Apostle Paul, Philippians 3:15-17.
Ferrell's Travel Blog 
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