Sunset at Hierapolis

This is a sunset view I made at Pamukkale (biblical Hierapolis; Colossians 4:13). Hierapolis is famous for hot mineral springs and terraced travertine formations. It is now a World Heritage site.

For I bear him witness that he [Epaphras] has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:13 ESV)

Sunset at Hierapolis in the Lycus River Valley. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Western Wall tunnel

Most first time visitors to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, whether in 1967 or 2009, probably think they are looking at a wall seen by Jesus and other first century characters prior to AD 70. In a sense they are. That is, they are seeing the same wall, but not at the first century level.

The Western Wall is the western side of the temple platform enclosure built by Herod the Great. Jesus drove money changers out of the temple precinct (hieron) (John 2:13-17). In their discussion with Jesus the Jews called attention to the length of time the temple (naos) had been under construction (John 2:19-21).

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. (John 2:19-21 NAU)

The photo below shows the largest visible stone in the western side of the Temple precinct. According to the Western Wall Tunnel web site, this stone is the largest one in the tunnel. It is 41 feet long, 11.5 feet high, and 15 feet deep. The web site says that this stone is 20 feet above the street level of the first century.

The largest visible stone in the Western Wall tunnel. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Tunnel was dug in the years following 1967, but an exit was not cut on the north end until 1996.

Pressing on toward the goal

Paul’s admonition to the brethren at Philippi is often used in sermons.

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

Most often we hear speakers compare what Paul said to the effort put forth by individuals running in a race. This is certainly not inappropriate. However, many years back I ran across a statement by E. M. Blaiklock that changed my thinking. Blaiklock was a noted classicist. This particular comment comes from Cities of the New Testament.

One mark of the Roman colony is perhaps to be detected in the letter which Paul wrote, over ten years later, to the Macedonian church which he had come to love. It is a hidden metaphor from the chariot race. Exhorting his Philippians to effort and single-minded endurance, Paul writes: ‘This one thing I do-forgetting the things behind, and stretching out to those before, I make for the mark, the prize of the upward calling’.

Commentators generally have not marked the fact that Paul appears to have in mind, not the athletic contests of the Greeks, from which he commonly drew illustration, but the chariot racing of Rome. He was writing to a Roman colony. He was writing also from Rome itself, and never was there such rivalry of racing colours, and circus fever than at that time. The common talk of the soldiers of the soldiers was of the chariot racing, and Paul would gain a vivid impression of this most perilous of sports.

Such a race as that which forms the substance of Paul’s figure is described well in Ben HUR. The charioteer stood on a tiny platform over sturdy wheels and axle. His knees were pressed against the curved rail, and his thighs flexed. He bent forward at the waist, stretching out hands and head over the horses’ backs. This is surely what he means by ’stretching out to the things before’. The reins were wound round the body, and braced on the reins the body formed a taut spring. It can easily be seen how completely the charioteer was at the mercy of his team’s sure feet and his own fine driving skill. Euripides, in his Hippolytus, tells how the hero fell and was killed in such conditions. Ovid describes the same disaster in Book XV of his Metamorphoses. In his intense preoccupation the driver dare not cast a glance at ‘the things behind’. The roaring crowd, crying praise or blame, the racing of his rivals, all else had perforce to be forgotten. One object only could fill the driver’s eye, the point to which he drove at the end of each lap.

Here is a photo that might help to illustrate what Blaiklock said. It was made at the RACE show (Romy Army and Chariot Experience) at Jerash, Jordan.

Chariot race at the RACE show in Jerash, Jordan. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

This is a reprint from April 30, 2008, but with a different photo suitable for use in presentations. Click on the image for the larger photo.

Paul’s burial in Rome

The apostle Peter gets the most attention in Rome, but Paul also has his share of shrines. Paul was taken to Rome in the custody of the Roman Empire (Acts 27-28).

I appeal to Caesar. (Act 25:11)

Tradition has it that Paul was buried outside the walls of Rome where we now find the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

The basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The statue in front of the church shows Paul with a drawn sword and a book. The inscription reads PREDICATORI VERITATIS and DOCTORI GENEIUM. Paul was a preacher of truth and a teacher of the Gentiles.

For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1Timothy 2:7 NAU; see also 2 Timothy 1:11)

Tomb of Caecilia Metella on the Appian Way

Several ancient structures may be seen along the Appian Way south of Rome. One of the most impressive is the Tomb of Caecilia Metella. The woman for whom this tomb is named was the wife of a certain M. Crassus who shared power in Rome with Julius Caesar and Pompey.

The decorations on the tomb seem to date it to the beginning of the Augustan period (Wycliffe Historical Geography 538). I think we can safely conclude that Paul passed this structure on his way to Rome (Acts 28:13-14).

The Tomb of Caecilia Metella on the Appian Way. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Arch of Constantine

The Arch of Constantine was dedicated to the Emperor by the Senate and the People of Rome in A.D. 315. Constantine served as Emperor from A.D. 306 to 337. By the time of Constantine the church had made major departures from the New Testament pattern of church organization. The Emperor attended the Council of Nicea, but allowed the eastern bishops to preside over the meeting.

Grant comments on the question of Constantine’s conversion:

The question as to whether he was a “genuine” Christian or not depends on somewhat subjective definitions. (Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, 227).

The Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Helena, the mother of Constantine, was responsible for the construction of many of the well-known churches of the Holy Land. Rosenberg says,

Her role in church history was due to her partnership in Constantine’s program of church building at Bethlehem and Jerusalem and to her discovery of what she believed to be the true cross, both of which led to the revival of Jerusalem and the encouragement of pilgrimage to the Holy Land. (Encyclopedia of Early Christianity 417).

The Pyramid of Caius Cestius

The Pyramid of Caius Cestius, erected in 43 B.C., is located in the Aurelian wall near the Gate of St. Paul in Rome.

Pyramid of Caius Cestius and the Gate of St. Paul. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Caius Cestius was an insignificant first century B.C. magistrate, but it is possible that Paul saw his Pyramid.

How big is the Canon? Depends on who you ask.

Bible Study Magazine has made available a chart comparing various canons of Scripture. Those included are the Samaritan Bible, Hebrew Bible, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Syriac, Ethiopian, and Protestant. By clicking on the small chart you will be taken to the complete large chart in Bible Study Magazine.

Buying the best Bible Software

As time permits I am trying to catch up on some of the blogs that I follow. I see that C. Michael Patton has a post at Parchment and Pen (I love that title) on “The Other Best Bible Software.” He is talking about Logos Bible Software. The other one he reviewed earlier is BibleWorks 8. Michael says he uses both. So do I.

Every young preacher should stop buying junk, ready-mixed pabulum, and get some real tools. Another advantage is that you will have no books to loan! Read Patton’s review here.

You will find some comments about the free software that so many preachers and teachers use.

The earlier review about BibleWorks 8 is here.

David Instone-Brewer, Tyndale Tech, has also written recently about Logos Libronix 3 here.

Morris Proctor is an (the?) authorized trainer for Logos Bible Software. His Tips and Tricks are helpful. You might also find a helpful note at the Logos Blog.

You will also find notes about both of these programs at Biblical Studies and Technological Tools.

Recently I wrote here about the problem of having to use Pradis to have access to Zondervan publications. In recent weeks, Zondervan and Logos announced that Zondervan books will be available from Logos. Good news. Now we must wait to see have much (or little?) we will have to pay for the conversion of the programs we already have.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)

Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. (2 Timothy 2:15 NET)

Nero’s revolving dining room found

Numerous news sources have reported the discovery of a revolving dining room from the time of the Emperor Nero in the Roman Forum.

The AP report, as found at CBS News, says,

Archaeologists say they have unveiled what they believe to be remains of the “dining room” of the Roman emperor Nero, part of his palatial residence built in the first century.

Lead archaeologist Francoise Villedieu says her team discovered part of a circular room, which experts believe rotated day and night to imitate the Earth’s movement and impress guests.

Villedieu told journalists Tuesday that the room on the ancient Palatine Hill was supported by a pillar with a diameter of 4 meters (more than 13 feet). She says only the foundation of the room was recovered during the four-month excavation.

The Golden Palace, also known by its Latin name Domus Aurea, rose over the ruins of a fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64 A.D. and was completed in 68 A.D.

I was rather surprised to see several places in the Forum, and on the Palatine Hill, where excavations are in progress. I don’t know exactly where this new discovery was made, but I thought you might get some indication of the massive amount of work going on by noting the scaffolding in this photo.

Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Note scaffolding on the hill. Photo by F. Jenkins.

The London Daily Mail online has a much longer article with good photos, diagrams, and a video here.

Biblical and historical information indicates that both Paul and Peter were put to death during the reign of Nero.