Gordon Franz<\/b><\/p>\n
JESUS AND THE FORGOTTEN CITY:<\/b><\/p>\n
New Light on Sepphoris and the Urban World of Jesus.<\/b><\/p>\n
Author: Richard A. Batey<\/b><\/p>\n
Jesus and the Forgotten City<\/i> was published by Baker Book House, 1991, 224 pages. It can be purchased from the Associates for Biblical Research for $20.00 plus $2.00 postage and handling.<\/p>\n
Jesus and the Forgotten City<\/i> describes some of the recent archaeological discoveries at Sepphoris, the first century capital of Galilee which Josephus, the first century Jewish historian, called \u201cthe ornament of all Galilee.\u201d It is located just an hour\u2019s walk (four miles) from Jesus\u2019 boyhood home of Nazareth.<\/p>\n
Writing in the present tense, Batey, one of the excavators of the site, draws the reader into the world of First Century Galilee and its cultural horizon. Archaeologists are sometimes noted for their vivid and lucid imaginations. Batey is no exception. This reviewer was engrossed with his story-telling as he wove the historical sources, the archaeological finds, and the Gospel narratives together into a very readable account of the discoveries.<\/p>\n
The book begins with a description of the excavations and the importance of Sepphoris in Jesus\u2019 day. There is no record in the Gospels that Jesus ever went to Sepphoris. However, using our \u201csanctified imagination\u201d we can understand how Jesus, as a carpenter, might have worked alongside his earthly stepfather, Joseph, while Sepphoris was under construction. Batey suggests the word \u201ccarpenter\u201d had the broader meaning of an artisan, or skilled worker in wood or stone who might have been engaged in this project begun by Herod Antipas in 3 BC.<\/p>\n
One large edifice was a theater near the center of the city. Batey proposes that this is the scene suggested by Jesus\u2019 use of the word-pictures \u201chypocrites,\u201d or \u201cstage actors.\u201d Several parables of the rich and famous may be illustrated by some sumptuous finds made in the excavation at Sepphoris.<\/p>\n
J. Robert Teringo of National Geographic<\/i> has illustrated the book well with paintings and pictures. Although they are excellent renditions, we wonder why several of them are presented (pages 37, 43,108, for instance); the mikveh<\/i> painting (page 19) and the tomb (page 169) are not discussed in the text. Some of the captions are quite brief and could be more descriptive. Batey\u2019s view of the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ and our salvation by grace through faith in Christ might be a problem for conservative readers of Archaeology and Biblical Research<\/i>.<\/p>\n
One suggestion for a future edition: a chapter for the tourist who visits Sepphoris, with maps of the site and a \u201cwalk-through\u201d guide.<\/p>\n
This book will prove valuable for background material and sermon illustrations, and it will open up the urban world of Jesus. Temper this with a word of caution on the theology expressed.<\/p>\n
Reviewer: Gordon Franz<\/p>\n
[Gordon Franz is an archaeologist who has worked on excavations at a number of sites in Israel, including Jerusalem, Lachish and Jezreel. He is also a field trip instructor at the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem.]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Gordon Franz JESUS AND THE FORGOTTEN CITY: New Light on Sepphoris and the Urban World of Jesus. Author: Richard A. Batey Jesus and the Forgotten City was published by Baker Book House, 1991, 224 pages. It can be purchased from the Associates for Biblical Research for $20.00 plus $2.00 postage and handling. Jesus and the … Continue reading “BOOK
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