Bible study course
An advanced, collegiate, fourteen-lesson academic master study of ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman imperial history across the biblical canon, investigating the geopolitical, archaeological, and theological interactions of God covenant people with the Neo-Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian, Achaemenid Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman empires. Tracing the divine orchestrations of history from the fall of Samaria in 722 BC through the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, Daniel imperial visions in Babylon, Cyrus edict of return and the Cyrus Cylinder, Zerubbabel altar restoration and the Second Temple foundations, Darius I and the Peḥāh administrative jurisdictions, Esther and Mordecai deliverance in Susa Citadel, Ezra priestly teaching commission, Nehemiah civic leadership and wall reconstruction, Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic crucible of the intertestamental era, Pompey entrance into the temple and Herod the Great monumental expansion of the Temple Mount, the partition of the Herodian realm among ethnarchs and tetrarchs, and Roman provincial governance under Pontius Pilate and the proconsuls of Acts corroborated by the Pilate Stone and Delphi Inscription.
An advanced collegiate examination of the Neo-Assyrian imperial expansion under Tiglath-Pileser III, Shalmaneser V, Sargon II, and Sennacherib; the theological crisis of the northern kingdom of Israel; the prophetic diagnosis of 2 Kings 17 and Isaiah 10; and the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem under King Hezekiah.
An advanced collegiate analysis of the rise of the Chaldean Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nabopolassar and Nebuchadnezzar II; the three waves of Judean deportation (605, 597, and 586 BC); the tragic burning of Solomon Temple; and Jeremiah prophecy of the seventy-year captivity.
An advanced collegiate study of Daniel and his companions amidst imperial assimilation; the prophetic four-metal colossus of Daniel 2; the fiery furnace on Dura Plain; and the judgment of Belshazzar sacrilegious banquet in Daniel 5.
An advanced collegiate examination of the confederation of Media and Persia under Cyrus the Great; the administrative satrapal apparatus; the biblical figure of Darius the Mede in Daniel 6; the irrevocable law of the Medes and Persians; and the miraculous deliverance from the lions den.
An advanced collegiate study of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire; the theological fulfillment of Isaiah prophecy of God shepherd; the Edict of Return in Ezra 1 and 2 Chronicles 36; the return of the sacred temple vessels; and the archaeological testimony of the Cyrus Cylinder.
An advanced collegiate examination of the initial wave of returnees under Zerubbabel and Jeshua; the re-establishment of sacrificial worship on the rebuilt altar; the laying of the Second Temple foundation with mingled joy and weeping; the syncretistic opposition of regional adversaries; and the sixteen-year construction stoppage.
An advanced collegiate analysis of the resumption of temple construction under prophetic exhortation; the administrative investigation conducted by Tattenai, governor of Beyond the River; the archival discovery of Cyrus decree at Ecbatana fortress; Darius I imperial confirmation and funding; and the joyful dedication of the Second Temple in 516 BC.
An advanced collegiate study of the Jewish diaspora in the Persian capital of Susa under Xerxes I (Ahasuerus); the genocidal plot of Haman the Agagite; the hidden, sovereign providence of God; the courageous mediation of Queen Esther; and the institution of the Feast of Purim.
An advanced collegiate examination of the second wave of returnees under Ezra in 458 BC during the reign of Artaxerxes I; the royal firman granting judicial and religious authority; the high priestly pedigree of Ezra; the ministerial paradigm of Ezra 7:10 (study, practice, teach); the fast at the Ahava Canal; and the reform of the covenant community.
An advanced collegiate analysis of Nehemiah transition from royal cupbearer at Susa to governor of Yehud in 445 BC; the rapid 52-day reconstruction of Jerusalem city walls amidst military conspiracies; the defense of the impoverished against economic oppression; and the covenant renewal of Nehemiah 8 to 10.
An advanced collegiate examination of the sudden collapse of the Persian Empire under Alexander the Great; the Hellenistic partition between the Ptolemaic and Seleucid dynasties; the tyrannical reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes; the desecration of the Second Temple; and the prophetic accuracy of Daniel 8 and 11.
An advanced collegiate analysis of the Roman annexation of Judea under General Pompey in 63 BC; the rise of the Roman Principate under Caesar Augustus; the client kingship of Herod the Great; the monumental architectural expansion of the Second Temple; and the fullness of time ushering in the birth of Jesus.
An advanced collegiate examination of the partition of Herod the Great realm among his sons; the reign of Archelaus as ethnarch of Judea; Herod Antipas as tetrarch of Galilee and Perea; the martyrdom of John the Baptist; the interrogation of Jesus; Herod Agrippa I and the execution of James; and Paul testimony before King Agrippa II.
An advanced collegiate examination of the direct Roman administration of Judea; the judicial trial of Jesus under Prefect Pontius Pilate; the archaeological discovery of the Caesarea Pilate Stone; provincial procurators Felix and Festus; Proconsul Gallio and the Delphi Inscription; and the unmatched historical accuracy of Luke.