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ISRAEL/PALESTINE

  1. The Bible. We will be reading and using the Holy Scriptures in all of its richness. I encourage you to bring a Bible that you can freely write in. Make notes and add dates in the margins for when we are at the location described by a particular passage. When you return home you will never read the Bible the same again. 

  2. The Gospel of Luke. This is the best of the four Gospels regarding the geography of the land and the character development of the story of Jesus. 

  3. The Source; James Michener. I can’t say enough about this book. It is long, well over 900 pages, but it encompasses the Big Story of Life; some 10,000 years. It is anchored by a particular hilltop settlement in Israel that witnesses the ebbs and flows of history as it pertains to the Bible. You will better understand the Jewish/Christian/Muslim story as never before. 

  4. Desire for the Everlasting Hills; Thomas Cahill. A masterful review of the context which lead up to Jesus and his impact on the world. It is part of Cahill’s wonderful ‘Hinges of History’ series that captures the highpoints of our life in the West. 

  5. Jesus, Walt Wangerin. This is an energetic biography of Jesus that captures the human side of our savior. 

  6. What Jesus Meant; Gary Wills. This is a brief but concise analysis of the big messages of Jesus. Easy to digest but thought provoking in its conclusions. 

  7. Jesus; Leith Anderson. A former pastor who has a knack of making it plain. This is a sweet and orthodox presentation of the life and ministry of our Lord. 

  8. The Lemon Tree; Sandy Tolan. Please read this book. It is a compassionate presentation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict told through the eyes of two families; one Muslim and one Jewish.  It will help establish your eyesight for viewing the country that we will visit next January. 

  9. Jerusalem: The Biography; Simon Montefiore. A long but very readable story of this most contested city in the world. It’s a who’s who of the world famous that show up and shape history with their actions within the walls of this ancient city. 

  10. Jesus the King; Tim Keller. A leading voice of what I call the ‘Radical Center’.  Keller has no axe to grind, only the compelling message of the Gospel. This is a reflection on the Gospel of Mark and the outlandish news that God gave up his Son for us! 

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