Study in the Holy Lands

History

Digging up the Priestly Blessing

Many, many years ago, while living in Israel, I studied with several interesting professors. My parables teacher was a rather intimidating Jewish woman who knew her stuff! In her class, you did not want to speak out of turn or attempt to guess. It was only mildly safe to open

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Easter

My God, My God, Why have you Forsaken Me?

Matthew 27:46 tells us that at about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This has often been a confusing or misunderstood phrase. When understanding the common Jewish Scriptural technique used by Jesus, his quote holds magnificent

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Christmas

Christmas According to the Gospels: Part 2

Join the Center for Holy Lands Studies in Video Two of “Christmas According to the Gospels” as we look at the birth of Jesus through the days leading up to it, the transition of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem and the annunciation of Jesus by the hosts of

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Christmas

Christmas According to the Gospels: Part 3

Join the Center for Holy Lands Studies in Video Three of Christmas According to the Gospels as we close out our study on the birth of Jesus with the proceeding narratives that follow in the days after the birth exploring the narratives and history surrounding the Magi and villain of

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Christmas

Christmas According to the Gospels: Part 1

Join the Center for Holy Lands Studies in Video One of Christmas: According to the Gospels, unpacking the basics of the Christmas narratives and their portrayals in both Matthew and Luke as well as the annunciations of Both Jesus and John the Baptist that serve as the opening days of

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Easter

The Resurrection: The Last Week of Jesus, Day 8

Filmed in Israel: This is part 8 of 8 discussing the last week of the life of Jesus up to and after the resurrection. This is filmed taking into context the geography, history, spiritual climate of the time-period, and language of the biblical text. It concludes with how we choose

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Easter

The Crucifixion: The Last Week of Jesus, Day 6

Filmed in Israel: This is part 6 of 8 discussing the last week of the life of Jesus up to and after the resurrection. This is filmed taking into context the geography, history, spiritual climate of the time-period, and language of the biblical text. It concludes with how we choose

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Culture

Betrayal at the Crossroad: The Last Week of Jesus, Day 4

Filmed in Israel: This is part 4 of 8 discussing the last week of the life of Jesus up to and after the resurrection. This is filmed taking into context the geography, history, spiritual climate of the time-period, and language of the biblical text. It concludes with how we choose

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Christmas

Luke 2 and The Birth of Jesus

CHLS CHRISTMAS, 2023, Part 3: Join Dr. Jeffrey P. Garcia and CHLS Director, Amy Flattery, in a discussion on Luke 2 and the birth of Jesus. Often, slowing down to read our Bible allows for greater understanding, drawing us closer to realizing the great love God has for his children.

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Christmas

The True Saint Nick

Suppose one was ever to decide to join the Center for Holy Lands Studies on an exciting trip to Turkey. In that case, it is possible that a visit to the home of one of the most famous Saints of all time, Saint Nicholas. Rest assured, on most days of

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Archeology

The Ring of Pontius Pilate?

One of the most interesting archaeological discoveries to close out 2018, surprisingly enough, was not unearthed in 2018, but 50 years ago at the site of Herodium, one of the palace fortresses of Herod the Great. During the 1968-1969 excavations, a first-century copper alloy ring was unearthed. The ring was

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Archeology

The Rolling Stone Tomb

Oftentimes when we read the Bible, we gain a mental picture in our minds of exactly how aspects of the narrative should look or be played out. This then, usually, develops and gets played out in wider scale as we begin reproducing this in media images, in our teachings, or

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Greece

Athens: The Cause of the Esther Saga

One of the destinations where we take our trip participants is the city of Athens, the capital of Greece both in modern and ancient times. For over two millennia, Athens has served as the seat of civil democracy, art, and culture, and therefore, has been the lure of man throughout

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