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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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Bethsaida 2014 – Day Nine
We were back on the dig today, and at least in Area T there was a significant amount of dirt being moved. Everyone is keen to uncover as much of the hidden history of this small part of the site as we can before the end of this week. As the soil is removed and…
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Second Sunday after Pentecost (22 June 2014)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Abraham expels Hagar and Ishmael 4 Second Reading: Buried with Christ in baptism 5 Gospel: The cost of discipleship 6 Jesus Database 7 Liturgies and Prayers 7.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Genesis 21:8–21 and Psalm 86:1–10, 16–17 Romans 6:1b–11 Matthew 10:24–39 Introduction This week we begin a new…
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Bethsaida 2014 – Day Eight
Today—our second Sunday in the Galilee—was planned as a less intense day. We began by making a short visit to Capernaum which we had not been able to visit the previous Sunday. The landscaping has continued apace since I was last here in June 2013, although I am not entirely sure that the end result…
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Bethsaida 2014 – Day Seven
We spent today in Nazareth. What a deep blessing to be back here with a bunch of new friends to show around my favourite place. We began with a brief visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation, before moving just a few metres north to the Sisters of Nazareth Convent where we spent an hour or…
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Bethsaida 2014 – Day Six
Today the energy levels were high and the winds were less blustery, so we were set for a good day on the tools at Area T. Even before we were joined by the visitors from Sabeel Nazareth (see below), we had made some exciting new finds: Julien found that the spot he had been clearing…
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Bethsaida 2014 – Day Five
Our fifth day since arriving in Israel, and our third day on the tools at the Bethsaida archaeology project. Despite strong winds coming up around 11.00am, we made fantastic progress in Area T today. We exposed a wall running the entire width of our square. It was not only almost right on top of the northern…
