Historical Context
The people, places, cultures, and historical realities surrounding biblical events. These readings situate Scripture in real history—cities, empires, customs, and conflicts—so faith is grounded in what actually happened.
Readings
Scattered and Gathered: Israel, Prophecy, and the Memory of the Land
Biblical prophecy presents Israel’s scattering among the nations as judgment, but not abandonment. The same Scriptures that warned of exile also promised preservation and gathering. Across centuries of dispersion, persecution, and pressure to assimilate, the Jewish people remained distinct, preserving their identity, Scripture, worship, and longing for the land.
When Stones Speak: Archaeology and the Historical Reliability of the Bible
From the fallen walls of Jericho to inscriptions bearing the name of King David, archaeology has repeatedly intersected with the biblical record in unexpected ways. This reading surveys key discoveries across the ancient Near East that illuminate the historical context of Scripture—examining what was found, when it was uncovered, and how it aligns with the biblical narrative. Rather than arguing theology, it traces evidence in soil, stone, and inscription, offering a grounded look at where archaeology has corroborated, clarified, or sharpened our understanding of the Bible’s historical claims.
Darwin in Context: Observation, Loss, and the Question of Origin
Charles Darwin is often treated as an idea rather than a person. His name has become a stand-in for modern science, for evolution as an origin model, and for the supposed incompatibility between faith and reason. In this process, both Darwin and his work are frequently simplified beyond recognition. To understand what Darwin actually contributed—and what he did not—we must return to the historical man, his formation, his observations, and the circumstances under which his most famous work was published.