Biblical Studies Department

Can you imagine studying the Sermon on the Mount on a hillside overlooking Galilee? Or recounting Jesus praying over Jerusalem while standing on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city? Or studying Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians in the ancient forum of Thessaloniki after having just walked through the modern open air market?  Or reading Peter’s admonitions to Christians to stay strong in the light of persecution while standing in the ruins of the Coliseum?  These are just some of the opportunities that the various overseas programs sponsored by the department offer.  The following overseas programs supplement the Biblical Studies major or general education programs:    

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The Footsteps of Paul

This trip is jointly led by one of the Bible Department professors and Dr. David Sparks and his wife Elizabeth.  Elizabeth is a native Greek from Berea who delights in sharing her native land with us.  The travels begin in Thessaloniki where we tour the modern open air market before walking to the excavated market place from the time of Paul.  Sitting in the small theater we study Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians.  Highlights of the trip include visiting the jail where Paul and Silas sang before the earthquake in Philippi, climbing part of Mount Olympus, walking the streets of Delphi, studying Acts on Mars Hill in Athens, partaking of communion at the Bema (judgment) seat in Corinth, studying Peter’s letters on suffering in the coliseum in Rome, and ending the trip at the site of Paul’s execution just outside of Rome.  The course provides credit for Bib Lit 2 (BIB 210). 

Introduction to Holy Land Studies

This trip begins in Jerusalem on the campus of Jerusalem University College just outside the Old City.  The trip begins with a walk through the old city where we visit the traditional locations of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus.  While we cover a lot the academics on campus, the heart of the trip are the field trips where we visit places such as Bethlehem (home of David and birthplace of Jesus), Beersheba (key location for Abraham), Nazareth, Caesarea Philippi near the location of the Mount of Transfiguration, and Caesarea Maritime where Paul was imprisoned before his trip to Rome.  This course can be used for credit for either Bib Lit 1 (BIB 110) or Bib Lit 2 (BIB 210) credit.  It may also be used as a Bible elective.

Travels to Turkey

This is a hybrid course which begins with a week of classes on campus, and then travels to Turkey where it explores the sites of the seven cities of the book of Revelation.  In the process, the trip covers the sites for the first seven church councils which formalized the key issues of Christian doctrine that all Christians believe.  This course can be used for Historic Christian Belief credit or can serve as a Bible Elective.

 

Semester in Israel

Under this program the student spends an entire semester (either fall or spring) at Jerusalem University College.  A wide variety of classes are offered ranging from courses on the Israel of the Bible to modern issues in the Middle East.  The current catalog is available at http://www.juc.edu/.  Depending on the course, students can get credit in several areas including General Education, Bible, or History.  For further information contact Dr. Michael Harbin.