The Dead Sea Scrolls, Qumran

One of the most important discoveries of the 20th century, the Dead Sea Scrolls include fragments from every book of the Old Testament except for the Book of Esther. They have provided Old Testament manuscripts a thousand years older than known previously. They demonstrate how the Old Testament was accurately transmitted during that time, and in addition provide a wealth of information on the times leading up to, and during, the life of Jesus.

The cliffs and caves of Qumran looking towards the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.

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Zedekiah’s Cave – “King Solomon’s Quarries, Old Jerusalem.

These ancient quarries are directly under the Old City. I walk through them on my own, while the Old City above teems with life. On both sides of the path are hugh supporting columns, dug out of the quarried rock. These columns were left by the stone cutters to support the rock ceiling, which measures 300 x 600 feet, and weighs approximately half a million tons.

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College Grounds, St George’s College, Jerusalem.

Enjoying some down time in the beautiful college grounds before the commencement of my course.
The college is a ten minute walk away from the Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City, Jerusalem.

Fresh limes growing outside the college doors

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St George’s College, Jerusalem.

In October 2017 I was awarded two study grants to study “Ways of the Wilderness” at St Georges College, Jerusalem. To study and reflect in situ the Israelite wilderness experience, the role of the wilderness in the ministry of Jesus, the development of Judean monasticism and its related archeology. To explore Christian traditions and images of wilderness/desert, pilgrimage and monasticism. To provide opportunities to reflect upon my own personal narratives of wilderness and to discover and rediscover the Christian heritage of wilderness spirituality.
To apply insights and experiences of wilderness pilgrimage to our lives and our communities back home.

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