Photographing the Holy Land

If all goes according to plan, this will soon be a place for many to gather for spiritual bread. I am going on a pilgrimage to Turkey, Israel, and Greece to see the places where Jesus walked, where His disciples taught, and where Christianity had its nascence. I am taking with me a few changes of clothing, a little bit of money, and a high-powered camera. My goal is to bring you high-quality photographs of the Holy Land, the kinds of photos you are unlikely to get from a random Google search. More than this, I am going to bring you the back story to each site I visit. I will translate from ancient Greek for you so you can better understand what you are seeing.

                                       Not my work. Cool shot of the Wailing Wall though.

Who am I? I'm David. I'm a seminary student at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. I am a husband, I am a student of the world, I am a former biologist, and I am 30 years old. I have a passion for reaching people through digital media. I believe that as the 21st century continues to gain momentum, classical methods of evangelism are going to become increasingly obsolete, and it will be up to digital media to reach people.

Thus, it is not my intention to make this blog a place for bashing people who do not share my faith in Jesus Christ. It is, instead, intended to be a place for open, honest discussion. It is a place for spiritual nurture and inspirational encouragement. It is a little corner of the web which I intend to keep as safe for you as I can. Hatred and intolerance are not welcomed here. Who is welcome? People who are fed up with TV, political talking heads, and pop-culture trying to force-feed them meaning, purpose, and motive for living. Have you lost your joie de vivre? Have you lost your raison d'etre? Do you need a new zest for living? Welcome. I have been in your shoes. I have felt that life was grey and meaningless. I have despaired, actually. I have lost a lot in my personal life, yet I have also been to the top of the mountain. I have doggedly pursued the truth, even though it has led me through the valley of the shadow of death.

I will not lie to you and say that I know more than you do, that I know better than you, or that I am holier than thou. Instead, I simply want to communicate with other seekers, other people who long to know God or if there is a god out there. It is my hope that between the photography and the philosophy, we can find a theology that is bold and daring without being bigoted and derogatory. Wouldn't that be achieving something monumental? Be enormous with me. Be exceptional with me. Together, let us forge a community that will sprint forward, rather than shuffling.