Westminster Theological Seminary, under the auspices of Jerusalem University College (JUC), is offering a three-week January course in the history and geography of the Holy Land. This intensive three-week course will introduce you to the geography, history, and archaeology of Israel. You will begin to feel at home on the playing field of biblical history after traveling throughout the land of the Bible.  This is the program that literally thousands of students have experienced as a part of their Christian college or seminary training.

Assignments using materials furnished by the university college should be completed prior to arrival in Israel. This work provides the necessary biblical background and regional introduction for study in Israel.  At the Jerusalem campus, students attend preparatory lectures designed to integrate assignments with field study.  Daily regional field studies, including an optional regional study in Jordan after the regular program, involve field trips of one to three days. These constitute the main body of the program.

Studies and walks in Jerusalem emphasize important aspects of the city in biblical and modern times and reconstruct the features of the city and its environs during the times of David, Solomon, Hezekiah, the Maccabees and Jesus.  Time spent in the Galilee region helps students understand the geography as well as the culture during the time of Christ and other periods of biblical history.

See first-hand the land that cradled God's people of promise and understand how and why the land itself is a ‘character' in the great story of salvation. Stroll the streets of Old Jerusalem, hike the hills and mountains where the Israelites fought for the land that became Jesus' birthplace, walk in the Garden of Gethsemane, explore Hezekiah's famous tunnel, and much more....

For a sample itinerary, please see the JUC Brochure

For extensive information, photos, and video clips about the program at Jerusalem University College, please see the JUC website.

Although this trip is organized for the students from any of Westminster's campuses, non-students are also welcome to join us for this in-depth study of the land of the Bible. The primary teaching will be done by the faculty of JUC. Anyone with a college degree may apply for credit, and even without a college degree you are welcome to participate. You need not be a Westminster student or a student anywhere for that matter. Credits can be applied to any institution, now or later. Westminster students receive 4 hours of MAR/MDiv credit. Special arrangements can be made for ThM/PhD credit.

Contact: Steve Vanderhill 214-373-7688 for more information or to register.

Cost: The exact cost is being negotiated with airlines. The program cost with airfare will be a maximum of $3400 to $3680 depending on your choice of dormitory or double room. The cost includes tuition for a 4-credit course plus transportation, room, meals, required materials, and all other expenses (except personal purchases).

Contact:

Steve Vanderhill 214-373-7688 svanderhill@wts.edu Westminster Theological Seminary, Texas Campus 3838 Oak Lawn Ave, Suite 200 Dallas, TX 75219 FAX 214-373-0907

Application and Registration: Download and print an APPLICATION. Do not submit your application directly to JUC. Submit your application to Steve Vanderhill.

Application Deadline: Your application, application fee, materials fee and deposit (total of $315) are due now so please contact Steve Vanderhill as soon as possible. There is still time for late applicants. $200 of this is a refundable deposit. This will guarantee you a spot. Checks should be made payable to Westminster Theological Seminary.

Passport: If you are planning to go, and do not have a passport, GET YOUR PASSPORT NOW using an expedited passport processing service. If you have one, verify that it is valid through July of 2008. International students should investigate the visa requirements for non-US citizens. Contact Steve Vanderhill with any questions.

Some Testimonials

"I returned from Israel with a new excitement for reading the Bible. Sentences that I once skimmed, because they were filled with 'boring' location descriptions, became the very passages that illumined the scriptures in a new way. I came back with an excitement to find all these verses with geographical relevance so I could picture the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, so I could see Jesus standing on the MT. of Olives weeping over Jerusalem, so I could 'feel' the atmosphere when David went up against Goliath.

"I also thought a very important part of the trip was getting to know others in the Westminster community in a new way. Central to Christianity is the fellowship of beleivers, and sometimes that is a difficulty at Westminster because of everyone's hectic schedules. Spending 3 weeks with a small section of Westminster really helped me to feel more a part of a community when I returned to campus.

"Finally, it was a great learning experience. There is nothing like drawing out the meaning of a passage of scripture at the actual location where the event took place. To stand on the very ground, see the same mountains, have the same dust covering your feet - that is something that you just can't get in a classroom."
--- Scott Strickland

"Another dimension of the Bible was revealed to us, one that I didn't even consider to be a dimension. And that dimension is of stone - politics, economics, culture, work, play, life, history were all influenced by the ground on which the Israelites stood. It was their 'testing ground of faith.' The trip helped me to understand that a little more."
--- Mary Lee

"My impressions of the Israel trip/class were overwhelmingly positive. Though tiring, the class was great. I cannot believe how much I learned in just a short time. Already, I have been able to use the information learned in Sunday school, and my father even used some of the information in a sermon.
"One of the things that I liked best about the trip was the feeling or sense of history in every place that we walked. It was as if the history of each place had impressed itself upon the site permanently. Too, visiting Israel has enriched my reading of the Bible. I can now understand much of the details, such as names of routes and sites, that I had passed over before. I would highly recommend the trip to anyone."
--- Jenniffer Brown

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact svanderhill@wts.edu or call
Steven T. Vanderhill, M.Div.
Vice President & Dean of Texas Campus
Westminster Theological Seminary
Two Turtle Creek Building, 2nd Floor
3838 Oak Lawn Ave, Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75219 Map
Direct line to Steve Vanderhill 214-373-7688
FAX 214-373-0907