Our students arrive in less than 24 hours, which means that summer is over. This semester will be especially busy for me because I’m teaching the field trip course (called “The Land and the Bible”). I’ve added two overnights on to the trips in Jerusalem in the first week and a half, which means 1) more fun; 2) more photos; 3) less sleep. One will be on a rooftop and another in a hotel. The first is cheaper and nothing beats watching the sun rise over the Mt. of Olives. It’s possible that this could be my last time teaching the course and so I plan to knock myself out. Come to think of it, I do that every time :-). I think it’s not a bad way to live – as if each time could be my last.

I still marvel at where God has placed me. I can think, wow, how great it would be to travel around and see all the places where the Bible events happened. And then I realize, I’ve already done that! Dozens of times! And I get to do it again – amazing! I don’t even have to pay. I certainly don’t deserve it. I do desire to be a wise steward.

My blogging pace will slow down; this month was probably a record for me. I’ve enjoyed it and hope to be able to make the time to continue. I have no doubt that I’ll have interesting things to share, but there’s not always energy at the end of a long day.

On another note, I’m having the great delight right now of teaching our two oldest to read. Kelli, my wife, might disagree, as she certainly has done much work. But I’m seeing fruit, and it’s great to watch them read words for the first time. I wouldn’t have guessed it would be so much fun. I wonder how long before Mark is able to read Kingdom of Priests? :-)

I decided that blog format with its narrow width didn’t quite suit tonight’s post, so I’ve put it on a separate page. Today after dropping our three oldest off at VBS, I headed to the City of David with a handful of old photographs that I had printed off. My goal was to get the “now” version. For the most part, it was not successful. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it greatly, but it means that things have changed so much that many times I couldn’t even get to the same location where the photograph was taken (or figure out exactly where it was). But I had success in a couple of places, and one of them I have posted, with downloadable high-res versions so you can flip back and forth between them. Take a look.

This is one of those in the “bound to happen” category. I was starting to feel sorry for the Old City hawkers trying to sell film to our groups of 20-year olds, all equipped with the latest in digital technology. Now it seems that they haven’t given up selling Kodak, but they now carry CompactFlash, SmartMedia, and the rest.

It’s been one of those days when I can’t take the time to do anything more substantive than recommend three items of reading.

I just finished the Caspari Center Media Review, which details the latest in the Israeli media about Jewish-Christian relations in the land. This is especially worthwhile if you haven’t read one of their reports before (unfortunately, they usually sound alike). You can subscribe to get a link sent when a new one is posted.

I’ve recently started reading Jesus Creed, the blog of Scot McKnight, which has had some helpful posts, including On Writing, On Writing: Some Suggestions, Top Ten Biographies, and My Teachers. The last inspires me to write on the subject (but no promises). The first two reveal that my life is not the ideal life of a writer. The third makes me want to read more (I haven’t read any in his top 10).

The excavators at Beth Shemesh have just released a report on their excavation season, focusing on the discovery of a Middle Bronze gate (17th-16th centuries B.C.). The description suggests that it is a typical style gate of the period. If you’re into archaeology, it’s worth reading, but I note just one sentence here: “it is clear now that the gate went out of use already in the Late Bronze Age.” I think that though archaeologists haven’t made much of a point of this, there’s actually much reason to believe that that is the case in many sites around Israel – Middle Bronze fortifications continued in use into the Late Bronze Age.

I read The Bible Unearthed more than a year ago but haven’t had the time to sit down and type out my notes and important quotes from it until this month (see my previous post). That I’m finishing now, and I’ve decided to include one section of my thoughts here. On the last page of the book, Finkelstein and Silberman write:

“Yet the Bible’s integrity and, in fact, its historicity, do not depend on dutiful historical ‘proof ‘ of any of its particular events or personalities, such as the parting of the Red Sea, the trumpet blasts that toppled the walls of Jericho, or David’s slaying of Goliath with a single shot of his sling. The power of the biblical saga stems from its being a compelling and coherent narrative expression of the timeless themes of a people’s liberation, continuing resistance to oppression, and quest for social equality. It eloquently expresses the deeply rooted sense of shared origins, experiences, and destiny that every human community needs in order to survive” (2001: 318).

1. The “real story” of course has nothing to do with God.

2. Alert: Historicity doesn’t depend on actual historical events, and integrity doesn’t depend on truth. a) Thanks for teaching us that words mean nothing; b) Thanks too for completely destroying the historicity of the Bible but then telling us that it doesn’t matter and we can still have warm fuzzies nonetheless.

3. On this we agree: the Bible is “a compelling and coherent narrative” and it certainly “eloquently expresses” its content. On this I disagree: that the authors of this book have enough historical data and have interpreted it correctly to make the assertions that they have.

Ultimately, this is a book of faith, and not archaeology. There are archaeological “facts” to be sure, but there is much speculation, and the conclusions are founded mostly upon preconceived ideas and questionable interpretation. The reality is that archaeology cannot tell us what these authors purport that it does. Perhaps earlier generations were guilty of the opposite fault: insisting that the Bible was “proved correct” by archaeological findings, but this does not permit the present generation to make the same error with a different conclusion.

I ‘ll let the authors have the final word; this is the last sentence of the book:

“Such a realization is crucial, for it is only when we recognize when and why the ideas, images, and events described in the Bible came to be so skillfully woven together that we can at last begin to appreciate the true genius and continuing power of this single most influential literary and spiritual creation in the history of humanity” (Finkelstein and Silberman 2001: 318).

Anyone who knows the history of Palestine/Israel in the 20th century knows of the many untruths which are spread through the media. One reality is that some of the land that “belongs to the Palestinians” was actually owned by Jews long before 1948 or 1967. From Arutz-7:

Jews originally bought land in what is now the area of Kfar Darom 100 years ago, but the small Jewish presence there was destroyed during the Arab riots of 1936-39. Several years later, Kibbutz Kfar Darom was established by none other than David Ben-Gurion, who set up eleven communities for the purpose of populating the Negev. The Egyptians attacked it mercilessly during the War of Independence in 1948, and though it staved off several attacks, Kfar Darom was finally abandoned in July 1949.

The same can be said for many “occupied” places throughout the West Bank. But you’ll never hear that on CNN.

It’s Friday and the day isn’t going as planned, so a few brief and random comments.

I watched 20 minutes of CNN last night about the Gaza withdrawal and was struck by how many dishonest or unfair statements were made. There are two sides to the story, to be sure, but CNN sure botched it during those 20 minutes. Maybe they always do; thankfully I am blissfully unaware.

The New York Times has a great little interactive map showing the progress of the withdrawal.

Jim West reports that Jerome Murphy-O’Connor fell into a coma during his visit to Ireland. I had the chance to have lunch with him earlier this summer and enjoyed our conversation. I have always had high regard for him. The Holy Land is the best guidebook for archaeological sites. I pray that the Lord restores his health completely.

I just finished reading “Listening to the Language of the Bible” by my friend Lois Tverberg. I admit that I am always reluctant to read books that are sent to me, but I started this and found it to have a number of helpful insights about various Hebrew concepts in the Bible. I recommend it.

Bill just sent me this quote from Rush Limbaugh. It’s actually similar to something we hear all the time, but here you get it from someone famous: “I went to Israel…It was a four-day trip, and this four days, folks, was worth two years of college.” Most of those who come here would agree. Some of those who never have been here think it’s not worthwhile to come.

Lastly, my hands were giving me problems earlier today and so I went running. It’s quite a nice day and I realized that I was hardly sweating. Bet you can’t do that in Dallas in August at noon!

From time to time, I am with students who desire to be baptized in the Jordan River. Because Jesus was baptized here, they think it would be special and memorable for them to be also. As a river, the Jordan is not particularly impressive, but there’s enough water to be fully immersed, so it qualifies. I have a couple of problems (or questions) with this desire:

1. Shouldn’t baptism be immediate? I read this morning that Saul/Paul was a) blinded for three days during which time he didn’t eat or drink anything; b) received his sight; c) was baptized; d) and only then took some food and regained his strength. These days it seems like we do the opposite – not only eat some food first, but eat about six months or a year’s worth (spread out over the same amount of days, of course). I don’t see that with Saul (Acts 9:18), I don’t see that with the Jewish believers on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41), I don’t see it with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36-39), I don’t see it with Lydia (Acts 16:15). Am I missing something? What biblical basis is there for waiting? If this is so, rather than waiting for our trip to the Jordan River, the person who asks to be baptized should be immersed in the first body of water we can find.

2. It seems to me also, except where conflicting with point #1, that baptism is a public demonstration, ideally done where you live. Baptism is a statement to those who observe (or hear about) it that one’s life has changed, and the commitment is now to Christ. It’s a big deal here in Israel, as that’s the “step” that tells your (Jewish) family that you’re committed and there’s no going back. For many, it means their funeral (they’re not dead, just treated as such). I don’t think I’d counsel an Israeli to go to the other side of the world to be baptized as that public testimony is going to be reduced.

3. Is this risk of spiritual pride (always looking back and saying, “but I was baptized there”) worth it? Maybe for the sake of your continued sanctification, it would be better to be baptized in the swimming pool than in the Jordan River.

Today is Kelli’s birthday. We have a wedding to go to and I have guard duty afterwards, so we probably won’t have too much of a “celebration.” We did have a barbecue yesterday in IBEX Park with American friends and that was enjoyable. We had about 14 adults and more kids. If you want to send Kelli birthday greetings, you can, at kelli@bibleplaces.com. She doesn’t write much email these days (taking care of 4 little kids and 1 big one – me), but if you have a moment to write, I think she’d appreciate it.

I’ve been asked by a few how things are here in Israel with the disengagement starting up. Another asked for “my take” on it. The first question is easy: I have to make reminders for myself to go watch the news to learn about it each day. I drove into Jerusalem this morning and I saw no signs that life was not as normal there. At Yad HaShmonah tonight there is a wedding (some of you know Rinat), and that won’t be affected. I’ve read in the news that there are roadblocks in the southern part of the country to prevent protesters from reaching Gush Katif, but there is no sign of that around Jerusalem. In other words, I wouldn’t know if you didn’t tell me.

Neve Dekalim city plaza

Regarding disengagement, I never presume to tell Israelis what I think, nor do I wear ribbons, put on bumper stickers, or go to marches. Though we’ve lived here ten years, we are not citizens and recognize that this significantly affects how one views it all. But I don’t mind commenting to my American students, who are the primary readers of this blog. My thoughts are somewhat conflicted, and it might be best to just make some simple statements that I believe to be true.

1. I believe that Ariel Sharon is the best one in this country to make this decision. He understands the issues from both sides. He also can get a majority to agree with him on this decision.

2. I don’t think that Gush Katif (see my visit in April) is an integral part of modern Israel. That is, I don’t think the land there is necessary for the Israeli population or economy. Corollary to that, I’ve been asked how this ties in to the biblical promise of the land to Abraham. While I do believe that that promise was unconditional, I do not believe that at any point in time Israel can demand the enjoyment of that promise. It’s clear in biblical history that God would take away parts (or all) of the land because of disobedience. I don’t think Israel can claim a right to that land over other peoples right now because of that promise. I do believe that God will give Israel that land (and much more) in the future.

Home in Gan Or

3. The Palestinians are claiming that Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is a retreat because of the terrorism of the last five years. They are right. Why didn’t Israel withdraw in 1999? Because the pressure was not on. After years of suicide bombers and missile attacks, Israel wants to reduce that and thinks that this is one way.

4. To the Muslim, a retreat is a sign of weakness and is to be followed by more pressure to force more retreats. This withdrawal is the first, not the last.

5. Sharon is implementing a “final peace” unilaterally. He has seen that 38 years (since ’67) have resulted in no progress with the Palestinians, and he intends to bring about a compromise, even if the other party is unwilling to talk. He is doing this by separating Palestinians from Jews, by 1) withdrawing from Gaza; 2) building the partition wall in the West Bank. The Palestinians are screaming to the world that this is what is going on; the Israelis are denying it. The Palestinians are right.

Synagogue in Gadid

6. Such a unilateral, non-negotiated settlement might in fact be the only way to have anything. The demands of the Palestinians simply are impossible for Israel to meet. Arafat’s rejection of Barak’s offer in 2000 was one example of that. Thus, if you’re going to live in a non-negotiated state (as with the last 38 years), Israel has decided that it can be a better non-negoiated state than what they currently have. And what they are bringing about, with time, will become a de facto “solution.”

7. I suspect that Israel will agree, in future talks, to change parts of the wall line, but a relatively small section. Thus they will get most of what they want, and losing a little is to be expected. By “what they want,” I am referring to the majority of Israelis who live on the coastal plain between Ashdod and Haifa and don’t give a rip about the Israeli communities in the West Bank but simply want to be able to go to the mall without being blown up.

Synagogue in Gadid

8. Israel has negotiated two peace treaties with Arab peoples: Egypt (’78) and Jordan (’94). Both of those were fundamentally different than the current process with the Palestinians. In those treaties, Israel came from a position of strength. With the Israelis, both now and in the Oslo agreement of 1993, they are looking for security after devastating terror wars. It didn’t work in 1993; I’m not optimistic that it will work this time.

One of the sensible voices in the Arab-Israel conflict is Daniel Pipes. His latest words on the withdrawal are here.