Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Summer Seminar in Greece: Paul and His Letters
NT-504
June 17 - July 3, 2011
-2011-
June 17 - July 3
Course Leaders:
Sean McDonough
Professor of New Testament
smcdonough@gcts.edu
978-646-4091
David Sparks
President, Footstep Ministries;
David@FootstepMinistries.org
972-418-6103
Imagine yourself following the footsteps of the Apostle Paul into the ancient cities of Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi and Thessaloniki. Consider taking NT-504 , “Paul and His Letters” in context! The GCTS catalog describes the course as, “Paul’s pastoral and missionary understanding of the Christian faith, examined by assessing the distinctive settings and themes of his letters in the context of the missionary journeys in Acts.” NT-504 fulfills the core NT course requirement for many of the seminary’s MA programs (MAOT, MACH, MATH, MAEM, MACO, MAME).
Next summer, NT 504 will be taught on-site in Greece and Turkey by GCTS/Hamilton Professor, Sean McDonough. The inclusive dates are June 17 – July 3, 2011. Students on any of the four GCTS campuses are welcome to apply. It will begin with a basic orientation to Paul against the backdrop of Hellenistic Judaism. Significant attention will be paid to the content of Paul’s letters, with careful attention to the general historical backdrop, and the direct intersection between that historical backdrop and the letters. There will also be many informal opportunities over dinner and on field trips to discuss theological/exegetical content and implications.
An added feature will be a gathering with GCTS alumni who currently pastor churches in Greece. There are at least six Gordon-Conwell alumni who are pastoring in Greece. This gathering will provide an opportunity for you to learn from the richness and wisdom of their experience serving minority evangelical churches in a majority Orthodox country.
Last, but not least, the course will be ably supported by Rev. Dr. David and Elizabeth Iliadou Sparks. David is a GCTS alumnus, married to Elizabeth who is a Greek national. The Sparks have been leading “pilgrimages” to Greece for over 17 years, and know the country and its history inside and out. As they describe it, “We don’t just organize tours, we lead pilgrimages following the footsteps of Paul. We don’t rush you through the sites and pass you off to government-licensed tour guides, we spend time at each location, reading the Word and allowing you time for reflection. We don’t put you on the tourist treadmill. We offer personal attention and see our tours as an opportunity to minister in your life. In other words, we’re different…we are not a ‘travel company,’ we’re a ministry!”
Further details about course requirements and associated fees will follow shortly on the GCTS website. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enhance the richness and depth of your future teaching and preaching ministry on Paul and his letters!
The itinerary allows students to follow the second missionary journey of Paul in the chronological order of his travels according to Acts.
First, it focuses upon Paul’s ministry in the biblical sites of Philippi, Thessaloniki, Berea, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus and the major themes of these letters. Also included are others sites of significance to the Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman world. Students also visit the island of Patmos in connection with the book of Revelation.
Secondly, it aims to broaden students’ understanding of the cultural, religious, and political world of the first century in which Paul moved and proclaimed the message of God’s salvation.
Thirdly, it introduces students to the Orthodox expression of the Christian faith through visiting Orthodox churches and monasteries. In connection with this, students meet with evangelical ministers and learn about their ministries performed in an Orthodox country (six current evangelical ministers in Greece are graduates of GCTS). Lastly, students are given the opportunity to experience the culture of modern Greece.
June 17 & 18 -Arrive Thessaloniki, Greece
Arrive Thessaloniki and transfer to our centrally located hotel. D
June 19 - Thessaloniki
We begin the day with an introduction to the course and a cultural orientation to modern Greece. In Thessaloniki we visit the ancient agora, the landmark White Tower, and the Arch of Galerius that rises over the ancient Via Egnatia. We then visit the Byzantine Church of St. Demetrius, dedicated to a Roman military officer who was martyred for his faith in Christ by the Roman Emperor Galerius. We also attend a service at the Greek Evangelical Church and meet with a pastor from the church. B,L,D
June 20 – Berea & Vergina
When Paul arrived in Veria (Berea), he went immediately to the Jewish synagogue and shared the message of the Messiah with them, proving that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. We visit the traditional rostrum where Paul delivered his sermons, and the remnants of the Jewish quarter housing the synagogue as we discuss the Jewish backgrounds of Paul’s theology.
We then drive to Vergina, and visit the underground tomb of Philippi II, father of Alexander the Great. The Royal tombs also house one of the few remaining paintings from the Macedonian period. This provides the backdrop for a discussion of Hellenistic backgrounds to the world of Paul. In the afternoon we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. B,L,D
June 21 – Philippi & Neapolis
Today we continue our journey in the footsteps of Paul and his companions, Silas, Timothy, and Luke. On our way to Philippi we will pass through Apollonia and Amphipolis. In Philippi, we make our way to the riverside and spend a few moments recalling Paul’s words to Lydia whose heart was opened to the Gospel. It was in this stream that Paul baptized her and welcomed her into the Christian community. Following lunch, we make our way to the ancient city of Philippi, walking through the forum, seeing two major basilicas and a Roman theater. We pause at the prison cell of Paul and Silas and recall their words of salvation. Then we travel to the port city of Neapolis (Kavala), Greece's most picturesque mainland port. Paul arrived at this port when landing in Greece. Here we see a modern mosaic depicting Paul's vision and arrival at Neapolis before returning to our hotel and dinner. B,L,D
June 22 – Meteora
Nestled in western Thessaly lies the rock forest of Meteora where famous Byzantine monasteries perch precariously on summits of soaring, sheer-sided gray rock pinnacles of varied and spectacular shapes. We visit the Grand Meteoron with its Hall of the Martyrs, Independence Museum, Kitchen, and Ossuary. We enjoy lunch and then off to Delphi for dinner and overnight. B,L,D.
June 23 – Delphi
Delphi was considered by the ancient Greeks to be the center of the world and the most sacred of precincts. We take the Sacred Way to the ancient site and witness the Athenian Treasury, the Theater and the Temple of Apollo after our visit to the Museum where, among other treasures, we behold the unique 5th century B.C. bronze charioteer. We then drive to Athens for dinner and overnight. B,D
June 24 –Athens
We begin our day at the new, critically acclaimed Acropolis Museum and view the world famous Parthenon Marbles. We then make our way through the Theater of Dionysus, the birthplace of theater, to the Acropolis with its Propylaea entrance. When then view the Parthenon and discuss its importance to the people of Athens during Paul’s time. We also visit the Erectheum before descending to the Areopagus (Mar's Hill) and read the sermon that Paul addressed to the Athenians of his day. From there we stroll through the ancient Agora, the market place and center of Athenian public life. B,L,D.
June 25 – Athens
We continue to explore the cultural setting of the Greek and Roman world with visits to the National Archaeological Museum and the Christian and Byzantine Museum. We take in the sites of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament, Arch of Hadrian, Temple of Zeus, and the historical Plaka district. B,D.
June 26 – Greek Evangelical Church
We attend a Sunday service at the Greek Evangelical Church of Athens and meet with one or more of the pastors of the Greek Evangelical church, some of whom are graduates of GCTS. B,L,D.
June 27 – Cruise: Mykonos
Mykonos is a cosmopolitan island, but beneath its sophisticated surface lies a quite essential Greek island. Hundreds of tiny chapels dot this blue and white-washed island with its beautiful windmills. Travelers are free to enjoy the island for the evening. B,L,D.
June 28 – Cruise: Ephesus (Turkey) & Patmos
Ephesus, in Turkey, is one of the best preserved archaeological sites. Walking towards the ancient harbor, down a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots, we pass architectural masterpieces such as the Library of Celsus before arriving at the Great Amphitheater where the Ephesians shouted their praises to Artemis in reaction to the Gospel proclamation of Paul. We study Paul’s message to the Ephesians and get a feel for a major Roman city of the day.
Patmos is known as the site of the apocalyptic Revelations of John written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. We discuss the interpretations of John’s Revelation as we visit the cave where he lived, now an Orthodox chapel.
B,L,D.
June 29 – Cruise: Rhodes
The beautiful "Island of Roses" has a rich and varied history. On a hill above the charming town of Lindos rises an ancient acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena. Below lies the bay of St. Paul, where the apostle landed during his voyages. The crusading Knights of St. John left the medieval city of Rhodes behind when they were defeated by Sultan. We stroll through the Palace of the Grand Masters and discuss the days of the Crusades. B,L,D.
June 30 – Cruise: Crete & Santorini
Heraklion is the capital of Crete and its principal commercial port. Paul ministered on this island with his traveling companion, Titus, and it is Titus who became the first overseer of the Christian community founded here. We visit his church and discuss the role of church leadership.
The island of Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Fira boasts beautiful white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques clinging to steep cliffs. Lying on the upper rim of a dormant volcano, Fira is only accessible by either cable-car or mule ride. B,L,D.
July 1 – Corinth
After an early disembarkation from the cruise in the Athenian port of Piraeus, we make our way to ancient Corinth. On our way to Corinth, we visit the isthmus that boasted two major ports and controlled the flow of goods in ancient times, one reason that Corinth became the leading commercial city of the Greek mainland. Paul spent a year and half in this community and later wrote letters to them, the first of which contains his chapter on love. We visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema and temples. We celebrate communion among the ruins of this great city.
July 2 - Concluding Remarks in Athens
We conclude our journey with a final day in Athens as we offer our final thoughts on Paul and his ministry. B,D.
July 3 - Depart for USA
Itinerary
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