Marc Turnage – The Bible in its Ancient World

Episode: Marc Turnage lives and breathes the world of the New Testament, through literature, archaeology, and geography. He’s an expert in biblical Galilee, and comes to us live from the Galilee, where he currently helps direct an archaeological dig at Khirbet el-Araj, the possible site of biblical Bethsaida and home of Peter and Andrew. Since recording this episode, those digging at the site have confirmed that el-Araj is indeed home to a Byzantine church, and have garnered additional evidence of an urban city in the Roman era. The Roman City has definite Jewish presence as evidenced by the discovery of a knife-paired oil lamp and part of a stone vessel.

Guest: ‘Marc Turnage holds an MA in Jewish History and New Testament Backgrounds from Jerusalem University College, and a PhD in the Land of Israel Studies Department at Bar Ilan University located in Ramat Gan, Israel, under the supervision of Professor Esther Eshel. Living in Israel for seven years, Marc fell in love with the lands of the Bible (Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy) and how the lands provide a doorway into the world of the Bible–its geography, history, and culture. He subsequently has been guiding groups to the lands of the Bible for over twenty years. Marc utilizes a four-dimensional approach within his instruction and writing that integrates the physical, historical, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of the world of the Bible with the biblical text.’ (modified from author’s website marcturnage.com). He’s the author of Windows into the Bible: Cultural and Historical Insights from the Bible for Modern Readers (Logion, 2016), and A Pilgrim’s Journey: A Devotional Journey of Trust and Obedience (Salubris, 2016).

Book/Dig: If you’re interested in joining excavators at Khirbet el-Araj, the possible site of biblical Bethsaida, click HERE and follow the ‘Registration’ instructions. Marc’s book Windows into the Bible takes a four dimensional approach to the Bible, looking through spatial, historical, cultural, and spiritual lenses to help people step back into the world of the Bible, as best as they are able, and hear the message as its authors intended.

To find out more about Marc, his tours of Israel, and additional info, check out marcturnage.com.

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