One of my favorite films of all-time is Raiders of the Lost Ark. In addition to being one of the first of many modern “adventure” films, it raises intriguing issues regarding history and the Bible. Can we find remnants of the biblical stories in the sands of the Middle East even still today? Are there treasures of the ancient past just waiting to be discovered?
My interest in archaeological issues is why (some of) my research has focused on ancient biblical manuscripts. This field of study presents an opportunity not only to read ancient biblical texts, but also to touch them. It brings to life the lost world of the Bible by allowing you to see and hold the very texts that were read by ancient Christians. For one of my latest studies on NT manuscripts, see my discussion here of a miniature codex of 2 John.
If you want to experience the thrill of modern biblical archaeology, then I recommend you travel to the holy land with a real archaeologist. This fall you have an opportunity to do just that with RTS Charlotte’s own Dr. John Currid, the Carl W. McMurray Professor of Old Testament. In addition to doing his Ph.D at the University of Chicago, Dr. Currid has led numerous digs in Israel, particularly at the ancient site of Bethsaida. He has also authored numerous books that draw on his archaeological expertise, such as Doing Archaeology in the Land of the Bible, Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament, Against the Gods, and the ESV Bible Atlas.
The trip is Oct 1-12, 2014. For more info on the logistics, see here.