Mark Wilson | Stellenbosch University (original) (raw)

Conference abstract booklet by Mark Wilson

by Anja Slawisch, Lutgarde Vandeput, Peter Talloen, Jacopo Turchetto, Anthony Comfort, Francesco Di Filippo, Matthew Harpster, Marie-Laure Chambrade, Tom Sinclair, Andreas Külzer, Glen L Thompson, Hala Alarashi, Paul A Iversen, Adam Kryszen, Mark Wilson, Ahmet Cinici, Stephen Mitchell, Shannon Martino, and Hugh Elton

Conference Presentations by Mark Wilson

by Burak Yolaçan, ertan das, Hakan Göncü, Murat Tozan, CEREN ÜNAL, sarp alatepeli, I. Kusoglu, Mark Wilson, Ezgi Yekbun Cengiz, Γιάννης Κουτούλιας, Laugier Ludovic, Marie-Valérie Lesvigne, Gülten Çelik, and Duygu Sevil Akar Tanrıver

II. International Colloquium on Excavation and Research on Smyrna/Izmir Abstracts

Articles by Mark Wilson

I. Uluslararas1 Kocaeli ve c;evresi Kultur Sempozyumu Bildirileri Cilt II, 2007

This article examines an important culture war that raged in ancient Nicomedia in the first three... more This article examines an important culture war that raged in ancient Nicomedia in the first three centuries after Christ. It looks at the persons, places, and events involved in this prolonged struggle through the lens of archaeological, and numismatic evidence, noting especially the issues that motivated both sides. Finally, we will look at the winners and losers in this culture war.

Pharos Journal of Theology, 2023

The encounter between Philip the evangelist and the African man in Acts 8 has elicited much schol... more The encounter between Philip the evangelist and the African man in Acts 8 has elicited much scholarly attention in recent years, particularly regarding issues of gender, race, and ethnicity. Overlooked in these discussions are significant matters of material culture that can help readers better understand this pericope. Material culture, according to The Cambridge Handbook of Material Culture Studies, is an interdisciplinary field that examines the relationships between people and their things as well as the interpretation of objects by drawing on theory and practice from disciplines such as anthropology, archaeology, history, and museum studies. Therefore, the methodology of this study delves into relevant issues of material culture such geography, history, and archaeology. These provide significant insights informing the interpretation of the text. Each character is developed within his own individual trajectory in the narrative. The possible routes of travel for Philip from Jerusalem are explored, and the site of the baptism is localised. Then the means and mode of water and land travel of the African official are elucidated. Geographical terminology is clarified, particularly the location of Ethiopia in antiquity, and the historical relationship between Rome and Nubia is outlined. Jews in Egypt and their pilgrimage travel to Jerusalem are also explored. Insights from ancient authors like Strabo are incorporated, and key archaeological discoveries are presented. The result is a more nuanced contextual reading of this pivotal, divinely orchestrated meeting described by Luke.

Sacred History Magazine, 2011

The article examines the route that Paul took on his first journey from Perga in Pamphylia to Ant... more The article examines the route that Paul took on his first journey from Perga in Pamphylia to Antioch near Pisidia.

Legendás csontoktól egy matrózlázadásig: Festschrift for Tibor Grüll, 2024

The Calendar Decree of Asia (CDA) is one of the most famous inscriptions from the Roman imperial ... more The Calendar Decree of Asia (CDA) is one of the most famous inscriptions from the Roman imperial period. The decree was found during German excavations at Priene in the 1890s and published in 1905; partial copies were found in five other cities in Asia. The article will first review the discovery of the decree and the publication of its text. The German scholar, Adolf Deissmann, noted its importance as a background text for understanding the New
Testament. Since then, other scholars have cited its language in discussions of the Gospel of
Mark as well as the use of imperial ideology in Paul and other New Testament letters. This article will review those discussions, then close by bringing attention to the discovery of another, more complete copy of the decree found in Metropolis in the 1990s. This version, seldom cited by New Testament interpreters, both confirms and negates readings of specific language in the inscription used in discussions of New Testament texts.

Pharos Journal of Theology, 2024

The encounter between Philip the deacon/evangelist and the Nubian official in Acts 8 has garnered... more The encounter between Philip the deacon/evangelist and the Nubian official in Acts 8 has garnered much scholarly attention in recent decades. Numerous articles and monographs have explored issues of gender, race, and ethnicity in this pericope. This study takes a different tack by focusing on several textual issues as well as exploring unique narratival features adopted by Luke. Each character is developed within his individual trajectory in the account. After evangelizing in Samaria, Philip is directed to travel from Jerusalem along the road to Gaza. There he has a dramatic meeting with a man from Africa. Luke introduces him by using a character introduction formula adapted from the introduction of Potiphar in Genesis 39. The seven features of the formula are discussed seriatim. It is argued that understanding this formula's use is key to interpreting the identity of the African man. He is deemed to be a circumcised Jewish man, a treasury official serving the Kandake of Nubia, not a eunuch from Ethiopia. After the Nubian official learns that Isaiah's suffering servant is to be identified with Jesus, he believes and is baptized by Philip. The article provides a fresh reading that hopefully will advance discussion of why Luke placed this pivotal, divinely orchestrated meeting in Acts.

Jewish Religious Architecture From Biblical Israel to Modern Judaism, 2020

This article reviews the evidence for synagogues in Asia Minor and Greece in antiquity.

Lycus Journal, 2023

Laodicea is the last of the Seven Churches mentioned in the book of Revelation chapters 1-3. This... more Laodicea is the last of the Seven Churches mentioned in the book of Revelation chapters 1-3. This article examines the interpretative issues related to the well-known temperature metaphor found in chapter 3:15-16. The mention of "hot, cold, and lukewarm" has been related to the city's hydrological situation. First discussed are the early travelers to the site and what they wrote about its water system. In the twentieth century various interpretations arose that suggested its water source was inferior to others in the Lycus valley such as at Hierapolis and Colossae. The excavation of Laodicea beginning in 2003 has revealed much new information about the city's hydrological situation. The proconsul's edict about water found at the South Nymphaeum gives further insight into the city's hydrology. Unfortunately, none of this is being reflected in contemporary discussions of the temperature metaphor in Revelation. After reviewing this new data, the article concludes that the interpretation that the temperature metaphor cannot be related to Laodicea's hydrological situation.

Acta Theologica, 2022

The nautical term ὑποπλέω is a hapax legomenon used twice in Acts 27 in the context of Paul's cap... more The nautical term ὑποπλέω is a hapax legomenon used twice in Acts 27 in the context of Paul's captivity voyage to Rome. This article begins by examining how the word has been translated in verses 4 and 7 in relation to other sailing terms in the chapter. The varying translations, particularly of verse 4, are dependent on the interpretation of the journey's route. Next the depiction of the journey in some Bible atlases is discussed. The atlases typically show two different routes around Cyprus, again dependent on how ὑποπλέω is interpreted. The voyages of Herod and Lucian in the northeastern Mediterranean are also examined for interpretative clues. Mediterranean geography, nautical archaeology, and seafaring praxis will also contribute to a suggested translation and interpretation of the word's uses in this pericope in Acts.

Adalya, 2020

The presence of Jews in the region of Pamphylia in Asia Minor is documented in ancient literary a... more The presence of Jews in the region of Pamphylia in Asia Minor is documented in ancient literary and epigraphical texts. However, little archaeological realia have been found documenting their existence. Therefore, the discovery of a marble colonette fragment with a menorah during a rescue excavation in ancient Attalia, the old city Kaleiçi of Antalya, is significant. This article first discusses the textual and epigraphical evidence for Jews in Pamphylia. It next recounts how the Attalia menorah was discovered, then discusses details of the colonette and its menorah. A review of menorah comparanda follows with suggested interpretations for the function of the colonette and its menorah. The article concludes by setting the menorah and its discovery in the larger historical narrative of Jews in southern Asia Minor.

Biblica 101.2, 2020

The account of Eutychus’ fall in Acts 20,9 poses both translation and archaeological challenges. ... more The account of Eutychus’ fall in Acts 20,9 poses both translation and archaeological challenges. “Third floor” is the preferable translation for τρίστεγος in the British system, “fourth floor” in the American system. A multi-storeyed insula was the likely building in which the believers met in Troas. While insulae dating to the early second century CE can be found in Rome and Ostia, none have yet found in the archaeological record in the Greek East. Since poorer people lived on the upper floors of insulae, the ekklēsia in Troas was largely comprised of individuals from a lower socio-economic class.

Criswell Theological Review 17.1, 83–96, 2019

Overt references to the Holy Spirit in Revelation are few. Although the Spirit may appear to be t... more Overt references to the Holy Spirit in Revelation are few. Although the Spirit may appear to be the least significant member of the Godhead in the book, such a cursory observation is misleading. The article begins by examining two problematic texts related to the Spirit in Revelation’s prologue and epilogue. It then explores whether John teaches pneumatology through metaphors by looking at two pericopae whose imagery suggests the Spirit. A figural reading will be employed to provide a pneumatic interpretation for the intertextual allusions drawn from the Old Testament and the Synoptics. This study will hopefully provide a more holistic perspective on the Spirit’s ministry as depicted in this rich eschatological text that closes the canon of Scripture.

Scriptura, 2019

This article is comprised of three separate yet related explorations regarding the image of water... more This article is comprised of three separate yet related explorations regarding the image of water in Revelation and the Fourth Gospel. It first explores the attempt to tabulate examples of water terminology in the New Testament and how that tabulation has proven incomplete. A fresh assessment is provided that includes an expanded lexical domain for water and notes its high frequency of usage in Revelation and John when compared to the rest of the New Testament. The next section examines four pericopae in Revelation and in the Fourth Gospel where water imagery is prevalent. Old Testament backgrounds for language are examined along with the intertextual relationship between texts in Revelation and John. A theological understanding of water imagery for Revelation and the gospel is proposed. In the final section, the Asian cultic practice of using water-the hydrophoros in the Artemis cult-is presented. While a Jewish background is commonly posited as the background for understanding water imagery in Revelation and the Fourth Gospel, the Greco-Roman polytheistic cults are posited as the primary religious background for Gentile believers in the Asian congregations.

HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 2019

This article introduces the neologism ‘odegeology’ to encompass theological discussion concerning... more This article introduces the neologism ‘odegeology’ to encompass theological discussion concerning divine guidance, a significant issue for spiritual formation and discipleship in the church. Jesus’ promise of power and his commission to be witnesses in Acts 1:8 establish
the theme for the book called Praxeis in the Greek text. Acts is replete with examples of guidance for completing that mission, particularly in the ministries of Peter and Paul. Can Paul’s experiences with guidance, whether natural or supernatural, be considered a matter of praxis for Christians today? In answering that question, this study will use Paul’s missionary journeys in Acts as a heuristic model for decision-making. The article will discuss the place of divine guidance in publications by Pentecostal/charismatic publishers and whether it is a subject addressed in the faculties of practical theology in their theological schools. The article closes with a discussion whether odegeology as practised in Acts should be normative for Christians today.

Tyndale Bulletin, 2019

This article discusses Paul's visit to Derbe contextually within the first journey as well as his... more This article discusses Paul's visit to Derbe contextually within the first journey as well as his subsequent visits to this minor Lycaonian city. It reviews the difficulty of earlier travellers and scholars such as Davis, Sterrett, and Ramsay to localise the site. The discovery of two inscriptions naming Derbe have more precisely situated the site, yet some ambiguity remains. Paul's projected routes between Lystra and Derbe as presented in maps and atlases are reviewed. The authors' autopsy of this area provides fresh insights into Paul's route between the two cities. The article closes with a suggested reason why Paul visited Derbe on his first journey and thereby founded a community of believers there.

Details related to Paul’s arrival in Pamphylia on his first journey and chronicled in the Acts of... more Details related to Paul’s arrival in Pamphylia on his first journey and chronicled in the Acts of the Apostles chapters 13–14 have remained unexplored. This article first examines whether it was Paul’s intention to evangelize Galatia after departing from Antioch on the Orontes. It next discusses three possible scenarios proposed for Paul’s arrival in Pamphylia by examining relevant archaeological, literary and historical data. After reviewing this evidence, it then suggests a fresh hypothesis for the apostolic party’s port of arrival in Pamphylia. The article concludes with a discussion of circumstances surrounding the desertion of John Mark as well as the rapid departure of Paul and Barnabas from Perga.

This article discusses a pericope in Acts 20:6–21:8 recounting the sea portion of Paul's third jo... more This article discusses a pericope in Acts 20:6–21:8 recounting the sea portion of Paul's third journey. Its genre resembles the periplus, and generic features are discussed as well as parallels with other periploi. Paul's periplus in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas is presented within a fixed calendar in the Jewish year, and the itinerary's specifics are detailed. A textual conundrum in Acts 20:15 is discussed as it relates to an anchorage opposite Chios. A lexical discussion of ἄντικρυς Χίου is presented, and possible translations are reviewed. The article presents a new hypothesis that the Ionian city of Erythrae was the place of the ship's landing. It closes with a brief history of Erythrae's significance in the Greco-Roman world and why a stop there by Paul's coasting vessel was likely during this part of the journey.

The results of experimental archaeology related to ancient seafaring, new studies of eastern Medi... more The results of experimental archaeology related to ancient seafaring, new studies of eastern Mediterranean trade networks, and recent archaeology on Cyprus shed new light on the itinerary of Paul's first missionary journey and the related question of the departure of John Mark from the apostolic party as related in Acts 13:13. It is now clear that Nea Paphos normally was used as a port of departure for ships sailing to Alexandria and North Africa, not Asia Minor. If Perga in Pamphylia were the original intended destination, then the travelers should have sailed from a port such as Lapithos or Kyrenia on the northern coast of Cyprus. This article will propose that the original intended destination of the missionaries was North Africa and that this change in plans led to the departure of John Mark. The results of asking this 'What if'? question will help to understand better Luke's literary enterprise, Paul's missionary purposes, and the development of early Christianity in the eastern Mediterranean.

by Anja Slawisch, Lutgarde Vandeput, Peter Talloen, Jacopo Turchetto, Anthony Comfort, Francesco Di Filippo, Matthew Harpster, Marie-Laure Chambrade, Tom Sinclair, Andreas Külzer, Glen L Thompson, Hala Alarashi, Paul A Iversen, Adam Kryszen, Mark Wilson, Ahmet Cinici, Stephen Mitchell, Shannon Martino, and Hugh Elton

by Burak Yolaçan, ertan das, Hakan Göncü, Murat Tozan, CEREN ÜNAL, sarp alatepeli, I. Kusoglu, Mark Wilson, Ezgi Yekbun Cengiz, Γιάννης Κουτούλιας, Laugier Ludovic, Marie-Valérie Lesvigne, Gülten Çelik, and Duygu Sevil Akar Tanrıver

II. International Colloquium on Excavation and Research on Smyrna/Izmir Abstracts

I. Uluslararas1 Kocaeli ve c;evresi Kultur Sempozyumu Bildirileri Cilt II, 2007

This article examines an important culture war that raged in ancient Nicomedia in the first three... more This article examines an important culture war that raged in ancient Nicomedia in the first three centuries after Christ. It looks at the persons, places, and events involved in this prolonged struggle through the lens of archaeological, and numismatic evidence, noting especially the issues that motivated both sides. Finally, we will look at the winners and losers in this culture war.

Pharos Journal of Theology, 2023

The encounter between Philip the evangelist and the African man in Acts 8 has elicited much schol... more The encounter between Philip the evangelist and the African man in Acts 8 has elicited much scholarly attention in recent years, particularly regarding issues of gender, race, and ethnicity. Overlooked in these discussions are significant matters of material culture that can help readers better understand this pericope. Material culture, according to The Cambridge Handbook of Material Culture Studies, is an interdisciplinary field that examines the relationships between people and their things as well as the interpretation of objects by drawing on theory and practice from disciplines such as anthropology, archaeology, history, and museum studies. Therefore, the methodology of this study delves into relevant issues of material culture such geography, history, and archaeology. These provide significant insights informing the interpretation of the text. Each character is developed within his own individual trajectory in the narrative. The possible routes of travel for Philip from Jerusalem are explored, and the site of the baptism is localised. Then the means and mode of water and land travel of the African official are elucidated. Geographical terminology is clarified, particularly the location of Ethiopia in antiquity, and the historical relationship between Rome and Nubia is outlined. Jews in Egypt and their pilgrimage travel to Jerusalem are also explored. Insights from ancient authors like Strabo are incorporated, and key archaeological discoveries are presented. The result is a more nuanced contextual reading of this pivotal, divinely orchestrated meeting described by Luke.

Sacred History Magazine, 2011

The article examines the route that Paul took on his first journey from Perga in Pamphylia to Ant... more The article examines the route that Paul took on his first journey from Perga in Pamphylia to Antioch near Pisidia.

Legendás csontoktól egy matrózlázadásig: Festschrift for Tibor Grüll, 2024

The Calendar Decree of Asia (CDA) is one of the most famous inscriptions from the Roman imperial ... more The Calendar Decree of Asia (CDA) is one of the most famous inscriptions from the Roman imperial period. The decree was found during German excavations at Priene in the 1890s and published in 1905; partial copies were found in five other cities in Asia. The article will first review the discovery of the decree and the publication of its text. The German scholar, Adolf Deissmann, noted its importance as a background text for understanding the New
Testament. Since then, other scholars have cited its language in discussions of the Gospel of
Mark as well as the use of imperial ideology in Paul and other New Testament letters. This article will review those discussions, then close by bringing attention to the discovery of another, more complete copy of the decree found in Metropolis in the 1990s. This version, seldom cited by New Testament interpreters, both confirms and negates readings of specific language in the inscription used in discussions of New Testament texts.

Pharos Journal of Theology, 2024

The encounter between Philip the deacon/evangelist and the Nubian official in Acts 8 has garnered... more The encounter between Philip the deacon/evangelist and the Nubian official in Acts 8 has garnered much scholarly attention in recent decades. Numerous articles and monographs have explored issues of gender, race, and ethnicity in this pericope. This study takes a different tack by focusing on several textual issues as well as exploring unique narratival features adopted by Luke. Each character is developed within his individual trajectory in the account. After evangelizing in Samaria, Philip is directed to travel from Jerusalem along the road to Gaza. There he has a dramatic meeting with a man from Africa. Luke introduces him by using a character introduction formula adapted from the introduction of Potiphar in Genesis 39. The seven features of the formula are discussed seriatim. It is argued that understanding this formula's use is key to interpreting the identity of the African man. He is deemed to be a circumcised Jewish man, a treasury official serving the Kandake of Nubia, not a eunuch from Ethiopia. After the Nubian official learns that Isaiah's suffering servant is to be identified with Jesus, he believes and is baptized by Philip. The article provides a fresh reading that hopefully will advance discussion of why Luke placed this pivotal, divinely orchestrated meeting in Acts.

Jewish Religious Architecture From Biblical Israel to Modern Judaism, 2020

This article reviews the evidence for synagogues in Asia Minor and Greece in antiquity.

Lycus Journal, 2023

Laodicea is the last of the Seven Churches mentioned in the book of Revelation chapters 1-3. This... more Laodicea is the last of the Seven Churches mentioned in the book of Revelation chapters 1-3. This article examines the interpretative issues related to the well-known temperature metaphor found in chapter 3:15-16. The mention of "hot, cold, and lukewarm" has been related to the city's hydrological situation. First discussed are the early travelers to the site and what they wrote about its water system. In the twentieth century various interpretations arose that suggested its water source was inferior to others in the Lycus valley such as at Hierapolis and Colossae. The excavation of Laodicea beginning in 2003 has revealed much new information about the city's hydrological situation. The proconsul's edict about water found at the South Nymphaeum gives further insight into the city's hydrology. Unfortunately, none of this is being reflected in contemporary discussions of the temperature metaphor in Revelation. After reviewing this new data, the article concludes that the interpretation that the temperature metaphor cannot be related to Laodicea's hydrological situation.

Acta Theologica, 2022

The nautical term ὑποπλέω is a hapax legomenon used twice in Acts 27 in the context of Paul's cap... more The nautical term ὑποπλέω is a hapax legomenon used twice in Acts 27 in the context of Paul's captivity voyage to Rome. This article begins by examining how the word has been translated in verses 4 and 7 in relation to other sailing terms in the chapter. The varying translations, particularly of verse 4, are dependent on the interpretation of the journey's route. Next the depiction of the journey in some Bible atlases is discussed. The atlases typically show two different routes around Cyprus, again dependent on how ὑποπλέω is interpreted. The voyages of Herod and Lucian in the northeastern Mediterranean are also examined for interpretative clues. Mediterranean geography, nautical archaeology, and seafaring praxis will also contribute to a suggested translation and interpretation of the word's uses in this pericope in Acts.

Adalya, 2020

The presence of Jews in the region of Pamphylia in Asia Minor is documented in ancient literary a... more The presence of Jews in the region of Pamphylia in Asia Minor is documented in ancient literary and epigraphical texts. However, little archaeological realia have been found documenting their existence. Therefore, the discovery of a marble colonette fragment with a menorah during a rescue excavation in ancient Attalia, the old city Kaleiçi of Antalya, is significant. This article first discusses the textual and epigraphical evidence for Jews in Pamphylia. It next recounts how the Attalia menorah was discovered, then discusses details of the colonette and its menorah. A review of menorah comparanda follows with suggested interpretations for the function of the colonette and its menorah. The article concludes by setting the menorah and its discovery in the larger historical narrative of Jews in southern Asia Minor.

Biblica 101.2, 2020

The account of Eutychus’ fall in Acts 20,9 poses both translation and archaeological challenges. ... more The account of Eutychus’ fall in Acts 20,9 poses both translation and archaeological challenges. “Third floor” is the preferable translation for τρίστεγος in the British system, “fourth floor” in the American system. A multi-storeyed insula was the likely building in which the believers met in Troas. While insulae dating to the early second century CE can be found in Rome and Ostia, none have yet found in the archaeological record in the Greek East. Since poorer people lived on the upper floors of insulae, the ekklēsia in Troas was largely comprised of individuals from a lower socio-economic class.

Criswell Theological Review 17.1, 83–96, 2019

Overt references to the Holy Spirit in Revelation are few. Although the Spirit may appear to be t... more Overt references to the Holy Spirit in Revelation are few. Although the Spirit may appear to be the least significant member of the Godhead in the book, such a cursory observation is misleading. The article begins by examining two problematic texts related to the Spirit in Revelation’s prologue and epilogue. It then explores whether John teaches pneumatology through metaphors by looking at two pericopae whose imagery suggests the Spirit. A figural reading will be employed to provide a pneumatic interpretation for the intertextual allusions drawn from the Old Testament and the Synoptics. This study will hopefully provide a more holistic perspective on the Spirit’s ministry as depicted in this rich eschatological text that closes the canon of Scripture.

Scriptura, 2019

This article is comprised of three separate yet related explorations regarding the image of water... more This article is comprised of three separate yet related explorations regarding the image of water in Revelation and the Fourth Gospel. It first explores the attempt to tabulate examples of water terminology in the New Testament and how that tabulation has proven incomplete. A fresh assessment is provided that includes an expanded lexical domain for water and notes its high frequency of usage in Revelation and John when compared to the rest of the New Testament. The next section examines four pericopae in Revelation and in the Fourth Gospel where water imagery is prevalent. Old Testament backgrounds for language are examined along with the intertextual relationship between texts in Revelation and John. A theological understanding of water imagery for Revelation and the gospel is proposed. In the final section, the Asian cultic practice of using water-the hydrophoros in the Artemis cult-is presented. While a Jewish background is commonly posited as the background for understanding water imagery in Revelation and the Fourth Gospel, the Greco-Roman polytheistic cults are posited as the primary religious background for Gentile believers in the Asian congregations.

HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 2019

This article introduces the neologism ‘odegeology’ to encompass theological discussion concerning... more This article introduces the neologism ‘odegeology’ to encompass theological discussion concerning divine guidance, a significant issue for spiritual formation and discipleship in the church. Jesus’ promise of power and his commission to be witnesses in Acts 1:8 establish
the theme for the book called Praxeis in the Greek text. Acts is replete with examples of guidance for completing that mission, particularly in the ministries of Peter and Paul. Can Paul’s experiences with guidance, whether natural or supernatural, be considered a matter of praxis for Christians today? In answering that question, this study will use Paul’s missionary journeys in Acts as a heuristic model for decision-making. The article will discuss the place of divine guidance in publications by Pentecostal/charismatic publishers and whether it is a subject addressed in the faculties of practical theology in their theological schools. The article closes with a discussion whether odegeology as practised in Acts should be normative for Christians today.

Tyndale Bulletin, 2019

This article discusses Paul's visit to Derbe contextually within the first journey as well as his... more This article discusses Paul's visit to Derbe contextually within the first journey as well as his subsequent visits to this minor Lycaonian city. It reviews the difficulty of earlier travellers and scholars such as Davis, Sterrett, and Ramsay to localise the site. The discovery of two inscriptions naming Derbe have more precisely situated the site, yet some ambiguity remains. Paul's projected routes between Lystra and Derbe as presented in maps and atlases are reviewed. The authors' autopsy of this area provides fresh insights into Paul's route between the two cities. The article closes with a suggested reason why Paul visited Derbe on his first journey and thereby founded a community of believers there.

Details related to Paul’s arrival in Pamphylia on his first journey and chronicled in the Acts of... more Details related to Paul’s arrival in Pamphylia on his first journey and chronicled in the Acts of the Apostles chapters 13–14 have remained unexplored. This article first examines whether it was Paul’s intention to evangelize Galatia after departing from Antioch on the Orontes. It next discusses three possible scenarios proposed for Paul’s arrival in Pamphylia by examining relevant archaeological, literary and historical data. After reviewing this evidence, it then suggests a fresh hypothesis for the apostolic party’s port of arrival in Pamphylia. The article concludes with a discussion of circumstances surrounding the desertion of John Mark as well as the rapid departure of Paul and Barnabas from Perga.

This article discusses a pericope in Acts 20:6–21:8 recounting the sea portion of Paul's third jo... more This article discusses a pericope in Acts 20:6–21:8 recounting the sea portion of Paul's third journey. Its genre resembles the periplus, and generic features are discussed as well as parallels with other periploi. Paul's periplus in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas is presented within a fixed calendar in the Jewish year, and the itinerary's specifics are detailed. A textual conundrum in Acts 20:15 is discussed as it relates to an anchorage opposite Chios. A lexical discussion of ἄντικρυς Χίου is presented, and possible translations are reviewed. The article presents a new hypothesis that the Ionian city of Erythrae was the place of the ship's landing. It closes with a brief history of Erythrae's significance in the Greco-Roman world and why a stop there by Paul's coasting vessel was likely during this part of the journey.

The results of experimental archaeology related to ancient seafaring, new studies of eastern Medi... more The results of experimental archaeology related to ancient seafaring, new studies of eastern Mediterranean trade networks, and recent archaeology on Cyprus shed new light on the itinerary of Paul's first missionary journey and the related question of the departure of John Mark from the apostolic party as related in Acts 13:13. It is now clear that Nea Paphos normally was used as a port of departure for ships sailing to Alexandria and North Africa, not Asia Minor. If Perga in Pamphylia were the original intended destination, then the travelers should have sailed from a port such as Lapithos or Kyrenia on the northern coast of Cyprus. This article will propose that the original intended destination of the missionaries was North Africa and that this change in plans led to the departure of John Mark. The results of asking this 'What if'? question will help to understand better Luke's literary enterprise, Paul's missionary purposes, and the development of early Christianity in the eastern Mediterranean.

Ekklesiastikos Pharos 87, 2005

The Book of Acts provides thirteen examples of supernatural guidance to mark the stages of Paul’s... more The Book of Acts provides thirteen examples of supernatural guidance to mark the stages of Paul’s ministry. This paper examines four of those passages that deal specifically with direction given by the Holy Spirit. Discussed first is the prophecy of Agabus (11:27–30) in which he predicts a coming famine. The second passage is the Spirit’s inauguration of Paul’s first ministry journey at Antioch (13:1–4). Examined thirdly is the Spirit’s prohibition to Paul to preach in Asia and to enter Bithynia, thereby directing his travel to Troas (16:6–7). Lastly discussed is the extended travel narrative in which the Spirit compels Paul to go to Jerusalem (20:22–24), then apparently urges him not to go there (21:4), and finally warns him of imprisonment at Jerusalem (21:10–11). Also discussed are the variant readings in Acts 19:1 and 22:3 where the Bezan reviser makes explicit the Spirit’s guidance to Paul. Although these texts in Acts are part of pericopae scrutinized intensely by scholars in recent decades, the article explores these passages from a different pneumatological perspective and elucidates new dimensions of the Spirit’s ministry in Acts.

Pharos Journal of Theology, 2016

The results of experimental archaeology related to ancient seafaring, new studies of eastern Medi... more The results of experimental archaeology related to ancient seafaring, new studies of eastern Mediterranean trade networks, and recent archaeology on Cyprus shed new light on the itinerary of Paul's first missionary journey and the related question of the departure of John Mark from the apostolic party as related in Acts 13:13. It is now clear that Nea Paphos normally was used as a port of departure for ships sailing to Alexandria and North Africa, not Asia Minor. If Perga in Pamphylia were the original intended destination, then the travelers should have sailed from a port such as Lapithos or Kyrenia on the northern coast of Cyprus. This article will propose that the original intended destination of the missionaries was North Africa and that this change in plans led to the departure of John Mark. The results of asking this 'What if'? question will help to understand better Luke's literary enterprise, Paul's missionary purposes, and the development of early Christianity in the eastern Mediterranean.

Biblical Turkey, 2024

The file contains the new content missing in the first three printings of the book.

Stones, Bones and the Sacred: Essays from the Colloquia on Material Culture and Ancient Religion in Honor of Dennis E. Smith, 2016

The essay begins by laying out briefly the background for the walk in the context of Paul’s third... more The essay begins by laying out briefly the background for the walk in the context of Paul’s third journey discussed in Acts 20. It next presents the likely route from Alexandria Troas to Assos by examining the material remains along the way such as a bridge and roadways. Part of the route followed the Sacred Way linking Troas to the temple of Smintheus, and the findings of recent excavations at the Smintheum are presented. Finally, the various reasons for Paul’s walk proposed by scholars will be examined with our own proposals concluding the article.

CITATION: Wilson, M. 2017. Erchomai-nia in the seven churches of Asia : Revelation’s response to ... more CITATION: Wilson, M. 2017. Erchomai-nia in the seven churches of Asia : Revelation’s response to eschatological imminency. Pharos Journal of Theology, 98:1-14.

Scriptura, 2015

This article examines a problem of translation in Acts 9:27 regarding who should be the subject o... more This article examines a problem of translation in Acts 9:27 regarding who should be the subject of the sentence-Barnabas or Saul. Through a close examination of the Greek text in its broader pericope, it explores whether Barnabas was the one who told the apostles in Jerusalem about Saul's conversion. It also discusses the importance of eyewitness testimony to Luke in his Gospel and Acts. The article closes with a fresh observation about the conversion account's significance within the narrative structure of Acts.

New Testament Studies, 2009

The route of Paul's first journey between Perga and Pisidian Antioch is still disputed. This ... more The route of Paul's first journey between Perga and Pisidian Antioch is still disputed. This article examines the three alternatives proposed by scholars. It explores the geographical and historical evidence for each route, looking especially at the extensive road system that existed in Pamphylia, Pisidia, and south Galatia in the first century. Bible atlases routinely depict one route and the reasons for this choice are discussed. Based on a review of the evidence, a fresh hypothesis for the route of the first journey is suggested.

Tyndale Bulletin, 2016

Robert Jewett, in his 1997 article on Paul's second journey, explored the geographical dimensions... more Robert Jewett, in his 1997 article on Paul's second journey, explored the geographical dimensions of Paul ' s travel in northwest Asia Minor as described in Acts 16:6-8. 1 His focus was to investigate thoroughly the road 'down to Troas' mentioned in verse 8. This study will not only renew that investigation from Dorylaeum where Jewett began it, 2 but will also look at the earlier stages of the journey that began at Antioch on the Orontes. In so doing, it will examine the textual and material evidence that provides knowledge of the region's road system. Regarding this route, Johnson observes: 'Although endless scholarly discussion has been devoted to determining the precise route Paul took … it is in fact unsolvable.' 3 Despite such a pessimistic perspective, hodological research in northwest Asia Minor in recent decades has provided fresh data to aid in evaluating alternative proposals for Paul's

Izmir: Search of the Past, 2020

2019 marked the 150th anniversary of the publication in 1869 of The Innocents Abroad, or the New ... more 2019 marked the 150th anniversary of the publication in 1869 of The Innocents Abroad, or the New Pilgrim’s Progress by the humorist and author Mark Twain. It was the first travel book published in America. During his Mediterranean travels in 1867 Twain visited Smyrna and Ephesus. This article will first review the background for this journey. It will then discuss some of his observations about Smyrna and its significance for the Seven Churches. Next it will note some of the highlights of Twain’s visit to the ruins of ancient Ephesus. The article will conclude with observations about perceptions of Turkey created by Twain’s publication and how they persist among travelers still visiting the Seven Churches.

Verbum et Ecclesia, 2013

In his recent study on Ionia A. Greaves adopts an Annaliste approach following the pioneering wor... more In his recent study on Ionia A. Greaves adopts an Annaliste approach following the pioneering work of F. Braudel. Greaves attempts to move beyond a text-based understanding of sites and events by also considering the related landscape and geographical data. This study adopts Greaves’s methodology in examining a text in Acts related to the Ionian cities of Ephesus and Miletus. Acts 20:15-18a records that Paul bypassed Ephesus, but later summoned the Ephesian elders to meet him in Miletus. This summons sets up one of Paul’s most important speeches and the only one in Acts delivered to a Christian audience. This study will examine the landscape and geography related to this stage of Paul’s third journey as well as the journey of the Ephesian elders to Miletus. It will also look at how recently published Bible atlases have incorrectly illustrated this segment of Paul’s journeys. An Annaliste reading will bring fresh insights into Paul’s travel habits and his decision making related to ministry as depicted in this pericope in Acts.

Verbum et Ecclesia, 2011

This article used seven hypotheses from R. Stark�s Cities of God (2007) as a heuristic tool toinv... more This article used seven hypotheses from R. Stark�s Cities of God (2007) as a heuristic tool toinvestigate the rise of Christianity in the five Roman provinces mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1. It affirmed that the Christian communities in these provinces were located in an urban, not rural, setting. Building on the research of Hort and Hemer, seven major cities in these provinces were proposed to test Stark�s hypotheses with. These cities are Sinope and Amisus in Pontus, Ancyra in Galatia, Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Dorylaeum in Asia and Nicea and Nicomedia in Bithynia. An important factor noted in several of these cities was their prominence as a commercial seaport and the presence of a Diaspora Jewish community. Utilising this methodological approach helped to elucidate more fully the audience of 1 Peter�s geographic and historical background.