Review: The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide

The Holy Land is one of the most disputed areas in the modern world. Three major religions—Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—all claim Jerusalem as a place of spiritual significance. For those traveling to the Holy Land and uneducated on the Israel-Palestine conflict, it may seem overwhelming or daunting to travel to such a contested area. Popular travel guides may be colorful and useful, but they often neglect significant context. Jerome Murphy-O’Connor’s The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide provides a travel guide to Jerusalem and nearby sites which combines both scholarly research and practical tourist advice.

The book is divided into two parts: 1) the city of Jerusalem (divided into its major separations) and 2) major sites in the Holy Land. Each site contains a detailed explanation of its history and offers suggestions on travel (i.e. hours of operation, best times to visit, nearby attractions). The book also contains a detailed index, over 150 maps, diagrams, and photographs, and a brief introduction to the history of the Holy Land. With an overwhelming list of attractions, Murphy-O’Connor uses star ratings to help the traveler decide which areas are most noteworthy.

Murphy-O’Connor’s travel guide is an indispensable resource for those traveling to the Holy Land and desiring to understand the historical significance of the region. Murphy-O’Connor, a respected New Testament scholar, writes from an objective standpoint which should appeal to religious and non-religious audiences alike. Truly, the insights of the book should enhance one’s visit to the area. The book is slightly large (about 1¼” thick), so make room for it in your suitcase! However, this may be the only travel guide you need before your expedition to the Holy Land.

(My thanks is given to the publisher for providing a complimentary review copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Comments

Product Review: LL Bean Extra-Large Rolling Adventure Duffle

Overview When adventure strikes, the right bag makes all the difference. Too often, however, luggage bags are either large, ponderous suitcases or small, flimsy duffle bags. I have traveled to Central and South America multiple times with terribly large suitcases. It added extra complication to my trip—especially lugging the bag up the steps! This is the problem which LL Bean seeks to rectify in the LL Bean Extra-Large Rolling Adventure Duffle. With a 137-liter capacity, this duffel is able to hold the items of the biggest pack-rat while being easy to transport. It features a telescoping handle, smooth-gliding wheels, and cinch straps. Specifications Capacity: Approx. 8,350 cu. in., 137 L. Weight: 9 lb. 3 oz. Dimensions: 17"H x 34"W x 15"D. Highlights This bag is sturdy. Not only is it capable of holding many items, but it is incredibly durable. It has a reinforced nylon bottom and a thick plastic frame so that the bag does not sag or become weak....

Review: NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible

A revised version of the previously published NIV Zondervan Study Bible, the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (Zondervan, 2018) represents the best of biblical scholarship in a compact study Bible. It introduces Biblical Theology (BT), a discipline that is intended for readers to weave individual books and stories into a larger metanarrative that reveals God's redemptive plan through the entire Bible. To that end, this study Bible includes articles introducing BT and articles on theological matters. While the emphasis of this Bible may appeal to a more Reformed/covenantal audience, the contributors span a variety of theological traditions and are respected authorities within their discipline. The verse-by-verse notes—over 20,000—are insightful and suitable for determining the historical, literary, and cultural background of the text with a view to responsible interpretation of Scripture. There are in-text cross references, a concordance, maps, and useful charts. Each bo...

Review: The Church From Every Tribe And Tongue

It is no surprise that the locus of the Christian Church is moving outward, from the West to beyond. The missional impulse of recent movements has expanded the meaning of the Church and made John the Seer’s vision increasingly clearer, “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). In light of the coming of global Christianity, the Western church has become more pressed to establish a global theology. Langham Global Library’s growing Majority World Theology series has provided exposure to Christian thinkers in the majority world on various doctrines. In its most recent addition, The Church from Every Tribe and Tongue: Ecclesiology in the Majority World (2018), a variety of global voices investigate the doctrine of the Church, offering insights into how non-Western lenses on the Church can shape Western theology and practice. Nine respected theologians and biblical sc...

Leitourgia

Search This Blog