RBC Faculty Spotlight: Travel Blog
Posted On July 26, 2023
While many of our students and faculty are traveling this summer, we asked our professors to share some of the places they have visited or would like to visit for their historical or theological significance.
Huémoz, Switzerland
“The bus stopped on the side of the road and opened the door. The driver said something to me in French. I think I muttered a nervous merci, but I had no idea what to say or do. When I looked out of the bus, all I saw was a tiny bench perched on the edge of the mountain, a little over three thousand feet elevation. The clanking sounds of cowbells welcomed me to my destination. Backpack in hand, I alighted the bus, landed on the perch, and watched the bus drive away. Below me were lush green fields sprinkled with grazing cows, above me was a charming chalet. I had arrived at Huémoz, Switzerland, the home of L’Abri, an international study center started by Francis and Edith Schaeffer and my residence for the summer before my senior year of college. From here, I studied theology and philosophy, enjoyed many spirited conversations, and traveled to a handful of sites that sparked the Protestant Reformation.”
—Dr. John Tweeddale, vice president of academic and professor of theology
Bethlehem, Israel
“The one city that I would like to visit is Bethlehem, the city in which our Savior was born.”
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2)
—Dr. Keith Mathison, professor of systematic theology
Newcastle, England
“Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Newcastle, England. While there, I toured Newcastle Cathedral. It was originally built in AD 1091 but was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1350. It was originally named St. Nicholas Church and was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1882. This church was served by John Knox from 1550 to 1553. It’s not the oldest or most important church building in England, but it is the oldest I had the opportunity to visit, and I appreciated the connection to John Knox. There’s also something remarkable about standing in a church building where services have continued for centuries.”
—Dr. Ben Shaw, professor of Old Testament
Artashat, Armenia
“In 2008 I traveled to Artashat, Armenia, to teach Old Testament theology at a small seminary for two weeks. The location was rather appropriate, since Artashat is right on the Turkish border at the Northeastern base of Mount Ararat, the traditional location for the ‘mountains of Ararat’ mentioned in Genesis 8:4 as the resting place of Noah’s Ark (cf. 2 Kings 19:37; Isa. 37:38; Jer. 51:27). This tradition appears to find support from the Old Greek version of Isaiah 37:38, which appears to translate the land of ‘Ararat’ (אֲרָרָט) as ‘Armenia’ (Ἀρμενίαν).”
—Dr. Matthew Dudreck, associate professor of New Testament
London, England
“I see the city of London as the greatest city in the world. There is so much rich, wonderful history there. There is Westminster Abbey, where the Westminster Confession was written; Buckingham Palace, where the royal family lives; the Metropolitan Tabernacle, where Charles Spurgeon preached; and St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the greatest Protestant church buildings in the world. There is so much to see and to do in London that I would encourage everyone to visit the city at least once in their lifetime.”
—Dr. Christopher Cleveland, associate professor of Christian thought
The Land of Israel
“I went on a tour to Israel in January 2018, and this trip dramatically vivified the way that I read my Bible. For example, when I turn to Matthew 4:13 and I read that Jesus went to Capernaum, the location is not merely a name in my head but a landscape that I have observed, streets which I have walked, and a synagogue in which I have stood. Likewise, the city of Jerusalem is no longer an idea in my imagination but a memory in my mind. I would highly encourage every Christian to make a journey to Israel at some point. You won’t read the Bible the same way again.”
—Professor Levi Berntson, instructor of theology
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