Biblical World

Episode: This episode is the first of a three-part series on the archaeology of the Passion week. Chris and Kyle take a detailed look at how archaeological finds in Jerusalem can help us better situate and understand the events of this fateful week. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Summary: Chris and Kyle discuss the following topics: - Traditions about the Passion Week - How we connect the archaeology to the texts - Dating and timing the events of the Passion Week - Views of Jerusalem - Jesus in the Temple - Pontius Pilate and Archaeology Resources: Archaeology of the Passion Week Bibliography; Archaeology of Passion Week Visuals (pt 1). Give: Help support OnScript’s Biblical World as we grow and develop. Click HERE.

Episode: After being forgotten for over 3000 years, the ancient city of Ugarit was rediscovered by archaeologists in 1929. Perhaps the greatest find from the site was the stash of over 2500 texts written in the ancient language of Ugaritic, texts which illuminated the history of the ancient world and the life of the local inhabitants.  Join hosts Mary Buck and Chris McKinny as they discuss the ancient site of Ugarit which ruled over the Northern Levant from 1800 BCE to 1200 BCE. Hosts: Mary Buck (Shepherds Theological Seminary) and Chris McKinny (Gesher Media)  Summary: In this episode, Chris and Mary discuss the following: - The accidental discovery of Ugarit (Ras Shamra) and the expedition - An overview of the city of Ugarit, the finds, and its significance in the 2nd millennium BC - Potential connections between Ugarit and the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. Additional Resources: 2019 - Buck, Mary - Amorite Dynasty of Ugarit; 2019 - Buck, Mary - The Canaanites; Their History and Culture from Texts and Artifacts. Give: Help support OnScript’s Biblical World as we grow and develop. Click HERE.

Episode: This episode discusses whether it's possible to recover scenes from the Israel/Merneptah Stele, as well as cutting edge technology at Karnak, Egypt. Hosts: Chris McKinny (Gesher Media) and Mark Janzen (Louisiana College) Summary: In this episode, Chris and Mark discuss the following: becoming an Egyptologist and the role of Egyptology in biblical studies; Karnak Temple - the most impressive surviving building of the ancient world; the Karnak Great Hypostyle Hall Project; imaging and epigraphy on the exterior of the west wall of the Cour de la Cachette (Merneptah's battle scenes); the relationship between the wall reliefs of Cour de la Cachette and the Israel/Merneptah Stele (c. 1208 BC) Additional Resources: Great Hypostyle Hall Project; Discussion of Cour de la Cachette (Merneptah); Digital Karnak UCLA; BiblePlaces Karnak Temple; Israelite Origins article 2020 by Rendsburg; Battle of Kadesh and World’s First Peace Treaty Give: Help support OnScript’s Biblical World as we grow and develop. Click HERE.

Episode: This inaugural Biblical World episode takes a deep dive into the archaeological background of King Hezekiah’s religious reform (2 Kgs 18:4). Hosts: Chris McKinny (Gesher Media) and Oliver Hersey (Jerusalem University College)  Episode Summary:  In this episode, Chris and Oliver discuss the following:  The historical background of Assyrian interactions with Israel and Judah in the late 8th century BC; The destruction of Israel by the Assyrians; The campaign of Sennacherib to Judah in 701 BC; The archaeological evidence at Tel Sheba (decommissioned altar); The archaeological evidence at Arad (decommissioned shrine). The archaeological evidence at Tel Moza (reformed “temple”) The archaeological evidence at the Lachish gate shrine (decommissioned and defiled) Additional Resources:  Jerusalem University College (JUC); JUC Summer Institute; JUC Online; Context of Scripture in Accordance Bible Software; BAS Article on Lachish and BASOR article on same subject; Moulis 2019 “Hezekiah’s Cultic Reforms according to the Archaeological Evidence” Give: Help support OnScript's Biblical World as we grow and develop. Click HERE.  

OnScript is launching a new podcast focused on the history, archaeology, culture, and geography of the Bible. Hosted by Chris McKinny, Lynn Cohick, Oliver Hersey, Kyle Keimer, Mary Buck, and Mark Janzen, this new podcast will help you enter the biblical world through engaging interviews with archaeologists and scholars who live and breathe scripture's ancient air. Stay tuned!