Encountering the Holy Land by Carl Rasmussen

Encountering the Holy Land
by Carl Rasmussen

MasterLectures Video
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
Source: Free month offer from MasterLectures.

Video Series Description:
Encountering the Holy Land: A Video Introduction to the History and Geography of the Bible is a unique, on-location visual overview of the lands of the Bible designed for students, Bible study groups, adult learners, travelers to the lands of the Bible, pastors, teachers, and all lovers of the Bible. Viewers will develop a deeper appreciation for the Bible by understanding the land and culture in which it was written.

The first lesson introduces the "playing board" of biblical history, followed by lessons arranged historically that begin with the Patriarchs and trace the historical progression of the Old and New Testaments. The video study provides an engaging, accurate, and faithful companion to God's Word--illuminating the text with footage filmed in the Holy Land and Egypt. This set of lessons provides an in-depth visual overview that will help viewers experience the geography and history of Scripture with unprecedented immediacy and clarity.

Throughout Encountering the Holy Land, scholar Carl Rasmussen leads viewers through the Holy Lands to illuminate the geographical and historical context of biblical events. Destined to become a favorite guide to biblical geography for students of the Bible, this accessible set of video lessons will invite you into the world of the Bible as never before.


My Review:
The total series takes about 4 hours to watch.

Encountering the Holy Land is a video Bible study series on how understanding the geology of the Holy Land can bring insights into the actions taken by people in the Bible. The speaker was filmed on location at various locations being described in the series and there were also videos of the geography of other places that he referred to when explaining the history given in the Bible. For example, he described why a battle took place in a certain spot or why the trade routes went through certain areas and not others. Though I have been to Israel, I enjoyed seeing the videos of the various areas and gaining insights to the Bible narrative. He took an "earlier date" view of aligning Egyptian and biblical history (making the first Hyksos king the one that didn't know Joseph), though he did explain other views. (Personally, I think the Hyksos came right after the Exodus.) The speaker was easy to listen to and understand. Overall, I'd recommend this series.

Session 1 - Introduction to the Middle East
Session 2 - Patriarchs and the Egyptian Sojourn
Session 3 - Exodus and Conquest
Session 4 - Settlement in the Land of Canaan
Session 5 - Transition to Monarchy: Samuel and Saul
Session 6 - The United Monarchy: David and Solomon
Session 7 - The Divided Kingdom and Judah Alone
Session 8 - Exile and Return
Session 9 - Greeks, Hasmoneans, and Roman Rule
Session 10 - The Life of Christ
Session 11 - Church Expansion and Paul's Journeys
Session 12 - The Seven Churches of Revelation
Session 13 - Jerusalem and Historical Geography


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.