Recommended Resource: Genesis Photo Companion

April 19, 2024

I am enjoying perusing the newly published Photo Companion to Genesis, the latest addition to the Photo Companion to the Bible, by Dr. Todd Bolen and his team. As with the other volumes in this set, each chapter in Genesis (all 50!) is treated separately with its own PowerPoint. For example, chapter one has 225 slides; chapter two has 171 slides, chapter 10 has 604 slides! Another helpful feature: the slides include notes with further explantion, suggested resources, photo credits, etc.

I have been using Dr. Bolen’s materials for more than 20 years, and highly recommend this new addition. Knowing the geographical, archaeological and cultural context of the Bible enhances our understanding of the biblical text, and can help fortify one’s faith. This collection of photos, maps, and explanation chapter by chapter is a great resource.

Here is a link: https://www.bibleplaces.com/genesis-photo-companion-to-the-bible/

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Posted by Leon Mauldin

Recommended Resource: 1 & 2 Kings Photo Companion

June 10, 2022

I have received the Photo Companion to the Bible on 1 & 2 Kings, from Dr. Todd Bolen. This is a portion of scripture on which I’m currently focused in study and writing, so it is a very welcome resource to me personally. I’ve made use of the BiblePlaces library for almost 20 years now, and am glad to highly recommend this most recent addition. More info and how to order is found here: https://www.bibleplaces.com/june-2022-newsletter/

The Books of Kings has long been an area of specialized study for Dr. Bolen, as explained in his newsletter.

This new resource has PowerPoint presentations on all 47 chapters of 1 & 2 Kings, with more than 7,400 slides! But this is not just a collection of photos–the descriptive text and explanatory notes are most helpful.

This type of resource is most helpful in giving the text of scripture its cultural and geographical context, and thus enhancing ones understanding of the Bible.

Thanks to Dr. Bolen and his colleagues for yet another great resource in this series!

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Posted by Leon Mauldin

Recommended Resources on Bible Places

January 28, 2020

In the current BiblePlaces Newsletter (Vol 19, #1) Todd Bolen gives a brief history of his photo collections of Bible places, which has been now 20 years in the making.

Collection of photos of Bible places, by Todd Bolen.

I have been making use of Dr. Bolen’s materials since 2003, which are useful not only because of the photos themselves, but sites are labeled and helpful notes are included. Photos are organized by country, specific regions, cities, (and much more) and PowerPoint presentations are included. I highly recommend these resources. To select and purchase, visit bibleplaces.com.

Ferrell Jenkins currently has a very nice (and informative) post on his blog here with more info re: this good material. It was Mr. Jenkins who introduced me to Dr. Bolen’s work.

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Posted by Leon Mauldin

Recommended Resource: Dr. Bolen’s New Persia Volume

December 3, 2018

This morning I’ve purchased Todd Bolen’s new Persia volume (#19), in his Pictorial Library of the Bible Lands series.  It will be a valuable addition to the series. One reason is that of the numerous sites themselves (Ecbantana, Persepolis, Susa, Zagros Mountains, plus, People/Scenes of Persia) and the obvious benefit to especially Old Testament and “Between the Testaments” studies. But especially is this true as these sites included have been of recent years the most inaccessible.

The DVD/download includes 22 PPT presentations. The one on Persepolis has 165 slides. 168 slides on the Persepolis staircase reliefs. The usual helpful identification of sites/artifacts and brief notes are included.

I have used Dr. Bolen’s material since 2003, having been introduced to his resources by Ferrell Jenkins. (This Persian volume of the Pictorial Library is dedicated to Ferrell Jenkins. In his “acknowledgements” in the DVD Todd says, “This volume is dedicated to Ferrell Jenkins. Ferrell has been guiding tours throughout the Middle East for over 50 years, and Persia is one of the few places he has not yet visited”).

I have recommended the Pictorial Library to my preacher/teacher friends, as well as including this in our church resource room. I am happy to recommend this new volume. See his current newsletter here:

BiblePlaces Newsletter
Vol 17, #3 – December 3, 2018

I never thought I’d make a photo collection for Persia. Ever since I was a boy watching the US hostage crisis on TV, followed by footage of the Iran-Iraq War, it seemed hardly possible that I’d be able to travel throughout the heart of the Persian Empire. But I was wrong.

The opportunity came earlier this year, and the trip was everything I could have hoped for and more. I was able to visit every site on my itinerary, following in the footsteps of such figures as Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes. I saw the famous Behistun Inscription, walked around one of the best preserved ziggurats, explored numerous museums, and marveled at the well-preserved tomb of King Cyrus. You can still see the ancient necropolis where Darius, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes carved their tombs into a cliffside, and the famous Persian gardens (from whence we get our word “paradise”) are as beautiful as they say. The people were friendly and the food was fantastic. The highlight for me was walking through the ancient palace where Esther approached Ahasuerus to beg him to stop the evil plot of Haman. 

I’m excited now to announce that our new Persia volume is available. It includes more photographs than any other in the Pictorial Library of the Bible Lands series, and everything is included in both jpg and PowerPoint formats. The PowerPoint files include notes that explain what you’re looking at in the photos. Whether this inspires you to plan your own trip or provides a virtual tour in place of your own, we think you’ll find the Persia collection both enjoyable and instructive.

You can order the Persia volume at the introductory price of $25 (download or DVD or both). Keep reading to learn about some of our favorite photos from the trip.

Todd Bolen
Photographer, BiblePlaces.com
Professor of Biblical Studies, The Master’s University

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Posted by Leon Mauldin

Chester Beatty Library at Dublin Castle

October 18, 2017

Today concludes our Emerald Tour of Ireland, and was a day of “free time” for our group. Some of us included a visit to the Dublin Castle, because here the Chester Beatty Library is located. Among the interesting collections there are some of the very earliest New Testament texts, dating to c.AD 200.

Johnny Felker & Leon Mauldin at Chester Beatty Library. Photo by Martha Felker.

Photos are not permitted inside the exhibition.

Some info re: the New Testament manuscripts:

There are three New Testament manuscripts that are part of the Chester Beatty Papyri. The first, P. I, is labeled under the Gregory-Aland numbering system as P45 and was originally a codex of 110 leaves that contained the four canonical gospels and Acts. 30 fragmentary leaves remain, consisting of two small leaves of the Gospel of Matthew chapters 20/21 and 25/26, portions of the Gospel of Mark chapters 4-9, 11-12, portions of the Gospel of Luke 6-7, 9-14, portions of the Gospel of John 4-5, 10-11, and portion of the Acts of the Apostles 4-17. The ordering of the gospels follows the Western tradition, Matthew, John, Luke, Mark, Acts. These fragments are palaeographically dated to the first half of the 3rd century.

P46 is the second New Testament manuscript in the Chester Beatty collection (P. II), and was a codex that contained the Pauline Epistles dating c. 200.[citation needed] What remains today of the manuscript is roughly 85 out of 104 leaves consisting of Romans chapters 5-6, 8-15, all of Hebrews, Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, virtually all of 1–2 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonians 1-2, 5. The leaves have partially deteriorated, resulting in the loss of some lines at the bottom of each folio. The manuscript split up between the Chester Beatty Library and the University of Michigan. Scholars do not believe the Pastoral epistles were included originally in the codex, based on the amount of space required in the missing leaves; they conclude 2 Thessalonians would have occupied the final portion of the codex. The inclusion of Hebrews, a book that was questioned canonically and not considered authored by Paul, is notable. The placement of it following Romans is unique against most other witnesses, as is the ordering of Galatians following Ephesians.

P. III is the last New Testament manuscript, P47, and contains 10 leaves from the Book of Revelation, chapters 9-17. This manuscript also dates to the 3rd century, and Kenyon describes the handwriting as being rough (Wikipedia).

It’s been a great tour.

From the Chester Beatty Library Brochure.

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Posted by Leon Mauldin

Biblical Sites in Israel: Gath of the Philistines

April 9, 2016

A visit to the biblical site of Gath, Tel es Safi, on Israel’s coastal plain is worthwhile. Gath was the land of giants (Josh. 11:22). Goliath was from Gath: “Then a champion named Goliath, from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was nine feet, nine inches tall” (1 Sam. 17:4, Holman’s Christian Standard Bible).

It is sad to read how that David (after killing Goliath) had to flee from Saul. He fled to Gath of the Philistines, but there, fearing for his life, pretended to be insane (1 Sam 21:10-15; cf. Psalms 34 and 56). Later David again fled to Gath and was given refuge (1 Sam. 27); the king of Gath gave David and his 600 men the city of Ziklag.

When David was residing when he heard news of the death of King Saul, and his three sons (1 Sam. 31) he composed a song which included the words “Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon — Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph” (2 Sam. 1:20).

Our photo here gives a view of the large tel.

Tel Gath of the Philistines. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

Tel Gath of the Philistines. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

We were also able to see some of the excavations of the cities lower wall.

Recent Excavations at Gath. Lower wall of city. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

Recent Excavations at Gath. Lower wall of city. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

I have previously posted on Gath here (aerial photo).

Dr. Aren Maeir maintains a blog here devoted to news about Gath, Tel es Safi.

Tonight we are at Tiberias, on the Sea of Galilee; more photos and info to come. Thanks for following our travels.

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Posted by Leon Mauldin

2014 in review

December 30, 2014

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 49,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 18 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

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Posted by Leon Mauldin

Balance and Caution in Use of Archaeology

September 4, 2014

A question from a friend:

It concerns the crossing of the Red Sea. There is an awful lot of talk about the “traditional” Red Sea crossing maps versus the so-called “archaeological findings” purportedly found at the Gulf of Aqaba.

. . . However, some of our brethren have begun using maps and pictures that show what is believed to be possibly the “real Mt. Sinai” with charred rock covering its cap, a “split rock” in the wilderness, chariot wheels, etc… (I’m not buying it.) All of these things I see look like the work of Ron Wyatt, but all sorts of people have these things on their internet sites.

. . . All of that said, I was wondering if you had any material or resources dealing with the subject head on. I do not plan on making this an issue… nor do I plan on bringing anyone else’s name into the mix. I would just like to be able to give a “ready defense” if I am ever called upon. I’d greatly value your input on the matter. Thank you.
Others more qualified that I have dealt with the claims of Mr. Wyatt. As a starting point I can recommend the following sources: Ferrell Jenkins has an article entitled, “Pharaoh’s Chariot Wheels and Other Things that Won’t Float — Examining the Claims of the Late Ron Wyatt ,” that you can access here, plus another article entitled, “Pseudo Archaeologists”here. These articles have numerous related links for further reading. Additionally I would recommend Gordan Franz’s site, Life and Land, here. Use the search box. He has several entries under “Cracked Pot Archaeology.” The use of caution in using Mr. Wyatt’s material/claims would be prudent.
While no one can be certain of the exact location of Israel’s crossing. the best evidence would be somewhere along the Suez.

From Sinai looking across Suez to Egypt. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

I took the above photo in 2003, having crossed the Suez. We are standing on the Sinai side looking back across Egypt.

I personally conclude that the traditional Mt. Sinai (Jebel Musa) best fits the biblical criteria.

The above info was posted Sept. 28, 2013.

See Ferrell Jenkins’ current post, “The Route of the Exodus and the Location of Mt. Sinai,” for a number of links and as well as balanced observations. I recommend it. Click here.

Click photo for larger view.

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Posted by Leon Mauldin

Recommended Resource: “With the Bible in the Israel Museum” DVD by Ferrell Jenkins

March 14, 2014

It is only in the last two years that photos have been permitted in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. There are so many wings with so many artifacts, it is helpful to have some sort of guideline to serve as a starting point to make the most of a visit to the museum.

Ferrell Jenkins delivered a lecture entitled, “With the Bible in the Israel Museum” during the 2014 lecture series at Florida College, Temple Terrace, FL. In the lecture he selectively (because of so much to choose from) makes use of recent photos to deal with artifacts beginning with time of the patriarchs, continuing through Old Testament history (United Kingdom, Divided Kingdom, Captivity, Persian Period) and concluding with the Roman and Early Christianity. Included are numerous examples from various sites of Israel’s propensity to engage in idolatrous worship. Also there is insightful information on burial customs for different periods.

Ferrell Jenkins' DVD on biblical artifacts in the Israel Museum.

Ferrell Jenkins’ DVD on biblical artifacts in the Israel Museum. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

I recommend the DVD both as helpful to prepare for a visit to the museum, as well as to review and restudy if you have had opportunity already to go to.

You can place your order here with the FC Bookstore. Use the search box to enter keywords. Cost is $5.00 plus shipping.

2 Comments | Archaeology, Bible History and Geography, Bible Study, Israel, New Testament, Old Testament, photography, Resources, Travel | Permalink
Posted by Leon Mauldin

Some Sources for Dealing with Ron Wyatt’s Claims

September 28, 2013

I recently received a question from a friend, which says in part:

It concerns the crossing of the Read Sea. There is an awful lot of talk about the “traditional” Red Sea crossing maps versus the so-called “archaeological findings” purportedly found at the Gulf of Aqaba.

. . . However, some of our brethren have begun using maps and pictures that show what is believed to be possibly the “real Mt. Sinai” with charred rock covering its cap, a “split rock” in the wilderness, chariot wheels, etc… (I’m not buying it.) All of these things I see look like the work of Ron Wyatt, but all sorts of people have these things on their internet sites.

. . . All of that said, I was wondering if you had any material or resources dealing with the subject head on. I do not plan on making this an issue… nor do I plan on bringing anyone else’s name into the mix. I would just like to be able to give a “ready defense” if I am ever called upon. I’d greatly value your input on the matter. Thank you.
Others more qualified that I have dealt with the claims of Mr. Wyatt. As a starting point I can recommend the following sources: Ferrell Jenkins has an article entitled, “Pharaoh’s Chariot Wheels and Other Things that Won’t Float — Examining the Claims of the Late Ron Wyatt ,” that you can access here, plus another article entitled, “Pseudo Archaeologists” here. These articles have numerous related links for further reading. Additionally I would recommend Gordan Franz’s site, Life and Land, here. Use the search box. He has several entries under “Cracked Pot Archaeology.” The use of caution in using Mr. Wyatt’s material/claims would be prudent.
While no one can be certain of the exact location of Israel’s crossing. the best evidence would be somewhere along the Suez.

From Sinai looking across Suez to Egypt. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

From Sinai looking across Suez to Egypt. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

I took the above photo in 2003, having crossed the Suez. We are standing on the Sinai side looking back across Egypt.

I personally conclude that the traditional Mt. Sinai (Jebel Musa) best fits the biblical criteria.

Click photo for larger view.

Leave a Comment » | Archaeology, Bible History and Geography, Bible Study, Biblical Interpretation, Egypt, Old Testament, photography, Resources, Sinai, Travel | Permalink
Posted by Leon Mauldin

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