Darren Daugherty, Ph.D.
Darren Daugherty, Ph.D.

 Thursday, May 28, 2009  What we saw: Garden Tomb and Via Dolorosa  Although this tomb and its shared location of the crucifixion ("Gordon's Calvary") do not have the same historical support as those at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the individuals who have preserved this place created a beautiful place to reflect on Christ's death and resurrection. The location is very quiet…  Read More

 Wednesday, May 27, 2009  What we saw: Masada, En-gedi, 5 major canyons, Qumran  The places we saw today, with exception of the 5 canyons, were places of refuge for someone. At Masada, it was the Zealots who refused to answer to Rome. At Qumran, it was the Essene sect that sought a more devoted life to God, much different than the type of Judaism which was going on in Jerusalem.…  Read More

 Tuesday, May 26, 2009  What we saw: Tel Arad, Beer-sheba, Wilderness of Zin, Big Bowl, Bedouin Experience  The remains at Tel Arad create a large window through which to view the spiritual health of Judah.  How do people get far from God's will after they've learned the truth? Why do people respond to God's directions by saying, "I don't really want to obey you that way. I'd…  Read More

 Monday, May 25, 2009  What we saw: Excavating at Meresha, Limestone caves of 1^st/2^nd Century Christians, Lachish, and Ashkelon.  In a previous journal entry, I wrote about Hezekiah and his encounter with Sennacherib at Jerusalem. Sennacherib destroyed Lachish on his way up to Jerusalem.  Lachish was one of two remaining cities of Judah, and like a number…  Read More

 Sunday, May 24, 2009  What we saw: Agriculture in the Sorek Valley, Ithri, Beth-Shemesh, Azekah and Elah Valley, Gath from a distance, Recount of David and Goliath, A 2^nd-temple tomb  Our day began with a walk through a wonderful agricultural area / park in the Sorek Valley. It was a very valuable experience that I will not forget.  As I've taught about the psalms…  Read More

Friday, May 22, 2009 (day off) Â What we saw: Walking the west-south ramparts of Jerusalem, the Burnt House Museum, and the Temple Institute. Â The photo is of the model of Jerusalem (2^nd-Temple period), seen at The Israel Museum. Â I also had the opportunity to see a model of the 3^rd temple. One may be puzzled by that statement as was one of our team members…  Read More

 Thursday, May 21, 2009  What we saw: The road from Jericho to Jerusalem, Jericho excavation, Gezer, Herod's Jericho palace, Approaches to Jerusalem, and an evening walk to Ben Yudah (new city)  As on many other days, I have a new appreciation for the surroundings of biblical events. The road between Jericho and Jerusalem is covered with asphalt now (except for a few places where…  Read More

 Wednesday, May 20, 2009  What we saw: Jerusalem model, Dead Sea artifacts, All Nations Church, Gethsemane, Approaches to Jerusalem, Herodium, Bethlehem  Two aspects of today's adventures came together…  Read More

 Tuesday, May 19, 2009  What we saw: Temple Mount, Western Wall, Roman Road, South side of Temple court, and an evening walk with friends to Ben Yudah (a shopping area in the new city)  Today's most emotional moment came on the steps of the Huldah gate. Although many things are not the same as they were in 4 B.C. (actual date of the birth of Jesus), I imagined Mary…  Read More

 Monday, May 18, 2009  What we saw: Ancient stone quarry probably used for David's palace, the locations of Solomon's and Adonijah's crownings, Hezekiah's Wall, Pool of Siloam  The title of this journal entry may lead a person to assume that I am writing of King Solomon, the son of David. Instead, I write of a godly king much later in David's line. Hezekiah was…  Read More

Sunday, May 17, 2009  What we saw: On Mt. Zion, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, David's Tomb, Last Supper, The Cardo, Western Wall, Zion Gate, Damascus Gate  The Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Church of the Resurrection) maintains a role in the remembrance of a terrible, yet glorious event. As the location of the crucifixion was remembered through the centuries, a number…  Read More

Saturday, May 16, 2009  What we saw: Citadel at Amman, Jordan Archaeological Museum, Madaba, Mt. Nebo  I've seen it depicted in at least three different movies, but none of them capture what I saw and felt as I stood on Mt. Nebo, looking over the Plains of Moab.  Moses was raised in a royal home and educated in the best educational system in the land. Yet, when…  Read More

Friday, May 15, 2009  What we saw: Bozrah, Dana Gorge, Petra  As I walked through Petra, listening to our Guide's detailed explanations of the Nabataeans and the features of Petra, it became obvious that Petra once was a cosmopolitan city teeming with excitement and trade. Could the city be compared to Las Vegas, or would it have been…  Read More

Thursday, May 14, 2009  What we saw: entrance to Canaan, Pella, Gadara, Gerasa, Yarmuk Descent  Today we saw remains of one of the most aggressive building campaigns in history - the expansion of the Roman Empire. We explored Pella, Gadara, and Gerasa. These three cities were part of the Decapolis (10 cities on Rome's eastern territory in modern…  Read More