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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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Pentecost 17B (23 September 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 First Reading: Wisdom, the perfect life partner 2.1 The Innocent Victim 3 Second Reading: Wisdom from above 4 Gospel: Master class in discipleship 5 Jesus Database 6 Liturgies and Prayers 6.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Proverbs 31:10-31 and Psalm 1 (or WisSol 1:16-2:1,12-22) James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a Mark 9:30-37 First Reading: Wisdom,…
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2013 Bethsaida Holy Land Study Tour
This afternoon I have received the final costs for the 2013 Bethsaida tour. The program has been arranged in two sections: 1. Core program: Return air travel, two weeks on the dig (16-28 June), weekend visits to lakeside holy places and other selected sites in northern Israel, two nights in Nazareth (28 & 29 June). All participants. 2.…
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Pentecost 16B (16 September 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Lady Wisdom, the divine Sophia 4 Second Reading: Wisdom beyond doctrine 5 Gospel: Who is this man? 6 Jesus Database 7 Liturgies and Prayers 7.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Proverbs 1:20-33 and Psalm 19 [alt. WisSol 7:26-8:1] James 3:1-12 Mark 8:27-38 Introduction This week’s readings draw on…
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Wrongly dividing the word of truth
Recently I have come across a classic mis-use (and misrepresentation) of the Bible by those who claim to be its best friends. The Bible Society of Australia is currently promoting its “25 Words” campaign, encouraging people to read 25 words of Scripture each day for 31 days. So far so good, if you ignore the…
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Pentecost 15B (9 September 2012)
Contents 1 Lectionary 2 Introduction 3 First Reading: Rich and poor have this in common 4 Second Reading: A bias to the poor 5 Gospel: Jesus and the Lebanese woman 5.1 Jesus heals a deaf man with a speech impediment 6 Jesus Database 7 Liturgies and Prayers 7.1 Music Suggestions Lectionary Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23…
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Why historical Jesus research matters
An extract from an essay I have just completed for a forthcoming collection edited my colleague, J. Harold Ellens: I am seriously interested in what Jesus may have done about certain issues we face as humans. I doubt that we can answer such a question with precision and certainty. But I am convinced that applying…
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