Banias is a city that has seen almost every age of history pass through it. Nestling by Mount Hermon in the disputed Golan Heights region, the city was first established as an ancient cult site known since Canaanite times. Named Caesarea Philippi under Herod Phillip, it was a focal point for the cult of Pan throughout the Roman period, attracting the opposition of the Christian Emperor Constantine. Conquered by Arabs and Crusaders, it was finally destroyed in 1967: occupied by Israeli forces in the Six Days War and then bulldozed flat, the City of Pan was no more. This book is a history of the.
In The Unseen Realm, Dr. Michael Heiser examines the ancient context of Scripture, explaining how its supernatural worldview can help us grow in our understanding of God. He illuminates intriguing and amazing passages of the Bible that have been hiding in plain sight. You'll find yourself engaged in an enthusiastic pursuit of the truth, resulting in a new appreciation for God's Word. Why wasn't Eve surprised when the serpent spoke to her? How did descendants of the Nephilim survive the flood? Why did Jacob fuse Yahweh and his Angel together in his prayer? Who are the assembly of divine beings that God presides over? In what way do those beings participate in God's decisions? Why do Peter and Jude promote belief in imprisoned spirits? Why does Paul describe evil spirits in terms of geographical rulership? Who are the "glorious ones" that even angels dare not rebuke? After reading this book, you may never read your Bible the same way again. Endorsements "There is a world referred to in the Scripture that is quite unseen, but also quite present and active. Michael Heiser's The Unseen Realm seeks to unmask this world. Heiser shows how important it is to understand this world and appreciate how its contribution helps to make sense of Scripture. The book is clear and well done, treating many ideas and themes that often go unseen themselves. With this book, such themes will no longer be neglected, so read it and discover a new realm for reflection about what Scripture teaches." --Darrell L. Bock, Executive Director for Cultural Engagement, Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Howard G. Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership and Cultural Engagement "'How was it possible that I had never seen that before?' Dr. Heiser's survey of the complex reality of the supernatural world as the Scriptures portray it covers a subject that is strangely sidestepped. No one is going to agree with everything in his book, but the subject deserves careful study, and so does this book." --John Goldingay, David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament, School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary "This is a 'big' book in the best sense of the term. It is big in its scope and in its depth of analysis. Michael Heiser is a scholar who knows Scripture intimately in its ancient cultural context. All--scholars, clergy, and laypeople--who read this profound and accessible book will grow in their understanding of both the Old and New Testaments, particularly as their eyes are opened to the Bible's 'unseen world.'" --Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
Pastor and Bible teacher Randy McCracken offers an intimate look at lesser-known members of 1 and 2 Samuel's four main families--those of Samuel, Eli, Saul, and David. Examining characters unfamiliar to many Bible readers, he reveals important lessons for today.
Sometime in 1997 the ancient city of Banias passed its 2000th anniversary, yet there was no celebration. John Francis Wilson brings us the story of Banias, or ancient Caesarea Philippi, the city that sat at the source of the Jordan River in what are now known as the Golan Heights region. In doing so he brings to life a city whose history is a microcosm of that of the Middle East itself. Banias' story starts in Canaanite times. Under Herod Phillip( died AD 34)it became Caesarea Philippi and was a focal point for the cult of the god Pan throughout the Roman period. With the accession of the Christian Emperor Constantine its pagan heritage brought it into conflict with emerging Christianity. In the following centuries came Arab conquest, the Crusades, neglect and decay, rediscovery in the 19th century by European travellers and finally its destruction in the Six Days War after being occupied by Israeli forces. Wilson reminds us that cities without people are desolate: interspersed amongst the invasions and religious conflicts are the people whose lives touched the life of this city: Herod the Great and his sons, Jesus of Nazareth, the emperors Vespasian and Titus, Saladin and even Samuel Clemens, otherwise known as Mark Twain. John Francis Wilson has had complete access to the site, and has drawn upon a wealth of sources in order to provide the first comprehensive history of this remarkable city . Its story will make fascinating reading to historians, general readers and those interested in the archaeology and narrative of the Near East.
Jesus: His Story in Stone is a reflection on still-existing stone objects that Jesus would have known, seen, or even touched. Each of the seventy short chapters is accompanied by a photograph taken on location in Israel. Arranged chronologically, the one-page meditations compose a portrait of Christ as seen through the significant stones in His life, from the cave where He was born to the rock of Calvary. While packed with historical and archaeological detail, the book’s main thrust is devotional, leading the reader both spiritually and physically closer to Jesus.
Susan Garrett focuses on the theme of the temptation and testing of Jesus, as reflected in the Gospel of Mark, arguing that by his endurance Jesus opened up the path and provides the example for those who follow the "way of the Lord.
"Friedland has done an excellent job of examining from all possible angles this difficult corpus of fragmentary statuary from Panias." -- Irene Bald Romano, University of Arizona, Bryn Mawr Classical Review (2013.03.41) This constitutes the first publication of a deposit of broken, marble statues, discovered in 1992 during excavations of the Roman Sanctuary of Pan at Caesarea Philippi (Banias, Israel). From 245 fragments, twenty-nine statues ranging from colossal to miniature and representing mainstream Graeco-Roman deities and mythological figures are reconstructed. Most date stylistically to the first through the late fourth centuries AD. A catalogue discusses each sculpture's subject, comparanda, workshop associations, and date; three interpretive chapters present the artistic and material origins of the sculptures; patterns of patronage, chronology of sculptural dedication, and display; and sculptural evidence for the sanctuary's pantheon.
We have all experienced a disconnect between God's promises to us and our everyday reality. We wait, without understanding why. We want to know God's plan so that we can trust it--but God so often hides his plan so that we will trust him. What can we do in the meantime as we are waiting for an answer, a change, or a miracle? With deep compassion, Wayne Stiles helps readers understand why God makes them wait. Unpacking the Old Testament story of Joseph, Stiles shows readers how to find comfort and opportunity in the time between God's promises and his answers, revealing the perspective-altering truth that sometimes when we think we are waiting on God, he is actually waiting on us. Anyone who has felt a disconnect between God's promises and their reality, who doesn't know what God wants them to do next, or who struggles with the brokenness of their world will find in Wayne Stiles a wise and trustworthy guide to finding peace in the pauses.
This text is designed to introduce students of the Bible to the archaeology, geography, and history of many of the important sites of the Old and New Testament worlds. Many of these sites were centers for trade, religion, defense, culture, industry, and government. DeVries details the development of significant sites from villages and towns to cities, based on how the site could meet the essential needs of the people. The availability of water or arable land, proximity to trade routes, and easily defensible terrain were prime factors in determining a city's prominence. This study concentrates on the cities in Mesopotamia, Aram/Syria and Phoenicia, Anatolia, Egypt, and Palestine during the Old Testament period, and Palestine and the provinces of the Roman world during the New Testament period. Special attention is given to the geographical setting of the city, the history of its development, its relevance to the Bible, its distinguishing features, and any significant archaeological discoveries made at the site.
