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Nazareth Then and Now
Ancient Nazareth lacked the critical advantages for its development as a significant settlement: abundant water supply, an elevated site for defensive purposes, and strategic location adjacent to a major highway. The most comprehensive recent study of the archeology of ancient Nazareth and its local region was completed by Ken Dark over several seasons between 2004…
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The oldest hatred
Presentation to a panel discussion sponsored by the Jewish Council of Australia at St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane on Monday, 29 September 2025. The topic of the event was: Should anti-Semitism be exceptionalised or should we combat all forms of racism together? Co-hosts for the event included: Doykeit (a local Jewish group in Brisbane), St John’s…
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Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (10 August 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Jesus and the stormy sea 3 Ancient near eastern traditions 4 The cosmic waters in the Bible 5 Power over the Sea 5.1 Homer, Odyssey 5.2 The Buddha and his disciples 5.3 Porphyry 5.4 Sibylline Oracles 6 Jesus walks on the sea 7 Jesus calms the storm 8 Peter sinks 9…
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Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (3 August 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Gospel: Bread and fish 2.1 1 Corinthians 15:6 2.2 John 6:1-15 2.3 Mark 6:33-44 and 8:1-10 (and parallels) 2.4 Luke 24:13-33, 35 2.5 Luke 24:41-43 2.6 John 21:9,12-13 3 Jesus Database 4 Liturgies and Prayers 4.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Genesis 32:22-31 & Psalm 17:1-7, 15 (Isaiah 55:1-5 & Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21)…
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Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (27 July 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Gospel: More parables from Matthew 2.1 Mustard Seed 2.2 The Leaven 2.3 The Treasure 2.4 The Pearl 2.5 The Fishnet 2.6 The Kingdom’s Scribe 3 Jesus Database 4 Liturgies and Prayers 4.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Genesis 29:15-28 & Psalm 105:1-11, 45b (or Psalm 128) [alt 1 Kings 3:5-12 & Psalm 119:129-136]…
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Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (20 July 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 The Parables — Matthew 13 (continued) 3 The Planted Weeds 4 Jesus Database 5 Liturgies and Prayers 5.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Genesis 28:10-19a and Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 [or Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19 (or Isaiah 44:6-8) and Psalm 86:11-17] Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 The Parables — Matthew 13 (continued) This…
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Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Fifteen
Today we completed our Palestine of Jesus course at St George’s College in Jerusalem. It has been a fascinating two week experience as we combined several smaller sets of participants from Australia and the USA into a new short term learning community. We have shared so much, learned so much, and come to love one…
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Palestine of Jesus 2014 – Day Fourteen
Ascension, Bethpage, Cenacle, Church of All Nations, Dominus Flevit, Gethsemane, Mt Olives, Mt Zion, Pater Noster, Peter GallicantuToday the focus of the Palestine of Jesus course has been on the events of Holy Week, as we visited several sites associated with Gospel traditions from the final days of Jesus. As I write this blog the events from this morning seem a long time ago, as we are currently experiencing an upsurge in…
