Geographist

Essenes Key Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23 Figures: None... or was there? This week we will look at a group within Jewish society that wasn't really part of society.  By choice, the Essenes tried to avoid the rest of the population by withdrawing to secluded wilderness.  They are not specifically mentioned in the Bible but it is likely they are referenced, and possible that one or more of their members played a role in early church history.  Importantly, they also resurfaced in modern times and have played a significant part in how Christians now understand and believe our own spiritual foundation.  Let's take some time and dive into this reclusive group to see what more we can learn. During the centuries leading up to the birth of Jesus, major upheavals throughout Jewish society birthed numerous groups with varying responses to the rising tide of Hellenism.  While many embraced the new culture and the modern benefits it provided, others vehemently opposed the sp...

Sadducees Key Scripture: Acts 23:8 Figures: Annas, Caiaphas This week we continue our dive into some of the groups within the first-century Jewish community, and once again our focus falls on a political sect.  These are people with whom Jesus and the other players in the Gospel story would have been acquainted, and perhaps even members of their inner circle.  The target this week falls upon the Sadducees, a powerful group of wealthy men who populated the upper echelon of society but who captured the attention of some of the most influential names in the early church for reasons they may not have wanted.  Although there is no historical documentation of their goals and beliefs from their own perspective, we can learn about them from the Bible and secondary sources.  During the period of time that falls between the Old and New Testaments, the Jewish people had to adapt to various changes in governance and politics.  No longer led by their own judges or kings, the...

Herodians Key Scripture: Mark 3:6 Figures: Herod the Great, Archelaus, Antipas, Philip, Agrippa I, Agrippa II This week we're going to deviate a bit from our study of nations in the Bible to begin looking at some people groups within the Jewish nation that played a part in the New Testament story.  As is the case during modern times, not everyone within a particular nation could agree on their philosophy or ultimate societal goals.  Politics existed even in the first century, after all, and exerted influence on the individuals we read about in Scripture.  Sometimes unusual coalitions were formed among those who disagreed when a common enemy appeared, and Jesus Christ led a group that would eventually threaten the positions and authority of a great many civil leaders.  To lead off, we'll investigate a group known as the Herodians. The Jews who existed in the first century AD were under the control of the Roman Empire, but had experienced foreign rule for the majority ...

Samaritans Key Scripture: 2 Kings 17:24 Figures: Sanballat, woman at the well, grateful leper Happy New Year!  At the time of my writing, we have just entered 2025 - amazing to realize that's the quarter pole of the 21st century.  This week we're going to meet a group of people that was created in the wake of Israel's disobedience and who became the target of unmatched animosity from the Hebrew people.  In spite of this, however, the Samaritans also found themselves being specifically targeted by God as part of His redemption story.  We'll look at the origin of this intriguing people group, which tells where they came from and why they were so despised by Jews, as well as how they found their way back into the fold as part of God's chosen people. The city of Samaria was founded by Israel's King Omri, father of the infamous Ahab, when he purchased a hill near the city of Shechem in the northern kingdom from a man named Shemer for about 150 lbs of silver.  Naming ...