Israel & Jordan: May - June 2010
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Twenty students, alumni and friends of Denver Seminary participated in the three-week course "Geographical and Historical Settings of the Bible" (for audit or credit) at Jerusalem University College from May 16th to June 6th. The course is an intensive academic study of the geography, history and archaeology of the land of Israel, with field studies in Jerusalem, the Negev, the Dead Sea area, Galilee, Samaria, the Golan Heights, and many other locations related to the biblical text (OT & NT). Dr. Brian Schultz, Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Fresno Pacific University served as the instructor for the course. Dr. Schultz completed an MA in Ancient History of Syro-Palestine at the Jerusalem University College (2000) and a Ph.D. in Jewish Studies at Bar Ilan University, Israel (2007).
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Under Dr. Schultz leadership, the participants experienced the land of Israel in more ways than they could have ever imagined. They walked the streets of Jerusalem, witnessed the celebration of the feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) at the Western wall, hiked the wilderness of Zin (Negev), ventured through Hezekiah's tunnel (in knee deep cold water!), visited the ruins of Herod's many residences (Masada, Herodium, Jericho, Jerusalem, Caesarea Maritima), floated in/on the Dead Sea, visited Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, took a boat tour on the Sea of Galilee, hiked down the Arbel (treacherous hike!), chatted with Samaritan leaders, petted camels and donkeys, stood in an Israeli bunker at the intersection of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria, dipped their feet in the Mediterranean Sea, visited numerous sites conquered by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership, and of course, ate their fill of pita and falafels.
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Ten of the participants continued their journey into Jordan for three additional days of touring. Beginning with a visit to the ancient site of Jerash, the tour covered the regions of Gilead, the Madaba Plateau, Moab, and Edom. As was anticipated, the site of Petra (capital city of the Nabateans) was breathtaking with its temples and residences entirely carved in the rock, aqueducts, artistic carvings, and 800 step journey up to the upper temple. The Amman Museum revealed unexpected treasures such as the Copper Scroll, the Deir Alla inscription and the Tell Siran Ammonite bottle inscription.
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While at the Jerusalem University College, students were privileged to attend lectures given by several leaders in the community: Dr. Bernard Sabella (Associate Professor of Sociology, Bethelehem University), Jonathan Kaplan (Administrative Director of the Rothberg School for International Students, Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Mr. Zach (shopkeeper in the Old City of Jerusalem and elder of the Jerusalem Alliance Church - C&MA), and Mr. Victor Kalisher (Director of the Israel Bible Society). Every lecture was highly stimulating. At the conclusion of each presentation, guest speakers invited students to ask questions related to political/social/cultural issues in the Middle East, conversions from Islam and Judaism to Christianity, and theological perspectives of Messianic Jews who live in the land of Israel.
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During 'free days', participants ventured in different directions and explored the city of Jerusalem. Some visited the Israel Museum, the Holocaust Museum (Yad vaShem), the Rockerfeller Museum, the market places (shuk) in east and west Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, the Via Dolorosa, Ben Yehuda street (mall street), while others rested and enjoyed the wonderful beverages of the Aroma coffee shops!
This amazing experience will be repeated by the next Denver Seminary group in May/June 2012! If you have not had the pleasure of visiting the land of Israel and Jordan, you may want to consider joining the next group.
Visit the Israel & Jordan 2010 gallery for more photographs from the trip.
Hélène Dallaire, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Old Testament
July 2010
