DESCRIPTION:

This course will present an introduction to the physical geography of Palestine through the use of lecture, discussion, and slide presentations. Some attention will be paid to the historical geography of the physical divisions of the land. Reading in the required texts will also be assigned. The purpose of the course will be to provide the physical geographical background necessary for sound biblical interpretation.

In working out salvation for humanity God has not seen fit to leave us a textbook of doctrine or a code of ethics, but rather a multi-faceted account of redemptive history. From its inception with the call of Abraham and its culmination in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, this history took place primarily in a particular locale, viz. that portion of the Near East traditionally termed Palestine. In order fully to understand the Torah story of the Old Testament and the gospel story of the New Testament, then, knowledge of the geography of Palestine is essential. This course will explore how the "lie of the land," i.e., its geology, lithography, soils, hydrology, topography, climate, etc. compelled the Torah story of the Old Testament and the gospel story of the New Testament, in part at least, to take the form it did.

The class will meet twice a week in two-hour sessions for lecture, discussion, and slide presentations.

Aharoni, Yohanan. The Land of the Bible, rev. ed. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1979.

Baly, Denis. Basic Biblical Geography. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1987.

_________. The Geography of the Bible. New York: Harper & Row, 1974.

Cleave, Richard. The Holy Land Satellite Atlas, Vol. 1. Bangkok: Rohr Productions, 1994 (out of print but on reserve).

Smith, G. A. The Historical Geography of the Holy Land. London: Collins, 1966 (out of print but on reserve).

Reading assignments in the texts. The student will also be required to write a paper correlating geography and history for one biblical site or area.

None.

Elective.

Yes.