David Schreiner
When studying Scripture, there are certain things that we must always consider, including history, language, culture, and literature. However, if you’ve traveled to Israel, you may have realized how geography can be another important consideration. At my alma mater, Asbury Theological Seminary, we have a saying, “Read the land, live the book.” So, when I heard about Barry Beitzel’s ongoing work with Faithlife on Bible geography, I wanted to glean from his wisdom. He was kind enough to answer some of my questions.
Schreiner: You’ve enjoyed a long career at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School as an expert in biblical geography, among other things. How did you get started in this work?
Beitzel: My father was a WWII vet, and he collected books on the war. More than anything else, I found myself drawn to the maps, which makes sense since I’m a visual learner. However, I eventually realized that those maps conveyed stories, not just places. So when I came to faith, this proclivity manifested itself in a deep interest in biblical geography. Many of the Bible’s stories, even the overall storyline, are enriched by a geographical understanding of the text.
When I sensed a calling to ministry and began my formal education, I took on both biblical and geographical studies. My doctoral dissertation topic was written with one key element in mind—to be familiar with the content and methodology of biblical geography so that I could undertake writing projects such as a Bible atlas.
Schreiner: Where did you receive your doctorate, and what was your dissertation about?
Beitzel: I received my degree from the Dropsie University, which eventually merged with the University of Pennsylvania. I studied Akkadian literature and comparative Semitics, and my dissertation was entitled “The Place Names in the Mari Texts.”
Schreiner: Ah, yes. Mari. That’s an important location for understanding much of the Old Testament, including the prophets and the patriarchal society. But let’s focus on the Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels, which is an important publication for Lexham Press. What was the genesis for that project?
Beitzel: It was unexpected and indirect. In 2005 I was invited to create the Logos Biblical Places Maps. Then in 2016, Faithlife founder Bob Pritchett contacted me about creating a much larger project, which is now part of the atlas in Logos. In conjunction with that project, I was working in Bellingham, and Faithlife’s Sean Boisen took me out to lunch.
We began talking about the distinctive role geography plays in the Bible, and eventually Sean asked for some examples. I appealed to Jesus’ use of space in the Gospels. He found them to be novel and striking, even asking how many illustrations were in the Gospels. I answered, “Several dozen,” and he recommended a commentary on the subject. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity. In fact, Lexham Press is developing a whole biblical commentary series on geography and space.
Schreiner: You’re referring to the Lexham Geographic Commentary, two volumes of which have been published—one on the Gospels and one on Acts through Revelation—and the Pentateuch volume will be out soon. What else should readers expect in that series, and what other developments are on the horizon?
Beitzel: A volume on the Historical Books is in progress, and the final volume, on the Poetic and Prophetic Books, will follow. Both should appear within the next two years. And for a spinoff project we are developing the series Studies in Biblical Archaeology, Geography, & History. The first volume, Where Was the Biblical Red Sea? Examining the Ancient Evidence, just appeared in late 2020.
Schreiner: Last year the Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels (LGCG) won the Christianity Today Book of the Year award for biblical studies. Describe your feeling upon hearing this news!
Beitzel: Beyond a predictable sense of joy and gratitude, it was a complete surprise. I was unaware that the commentary had been nominated. And, as you can imagine, a series such as this was never conceptualized with possible accolades in mind. The idea of a “commentary” receiving this kind of recognition must have been an extremely unlikely possibility.
Schreiner: Without a doubt, a well-deserved honor. Now, I want to get practical. What are some things that you want your audience to learn from the LGCG and its related projects?
Beitzel: Across the canon, geography and space were frequently appealed to by the biblical writers. So, they are necessary to consider when interpreting the Bible. In other words, it’s often necessary to go beyond the questions of “who, why, what, and how” to include “where.” Consequently, I hope this commentary alerts the reader to that additional question and encourages the reader to regularly ask such a question.
Schreiner: Do you have a story from someone who isn’t a pastor or professor about using the LGCG?
Beitzel: Several people who lead or write Bible studies have told me that the LGCG amplifies the text and gives them an entirely new perspective on passages. For example, the biblical concept of the “wilderness.” It’s vast and rugged, but God uses it in growing his people’s faith. Thus, the wilderness is not just a region of death but holds hope for new life. It’s a place of spiritual renewal.
Schreiner: Amen to that! Now, speak to the next generation of Bible teachers. What words of advice or encouragement would you like to offer?
Beitzel: This might vary according to individual circumstances. For example, are you thinking of vocational Bible teachers, or those who voluntarily teach the Bible in various settings of the church? Nevertheless, there are a few words of encouragement that could apply to either.
First, avoid being either a politician or a professor when teaching the Bible. There’s an old adage—politicians learn less and less about more and more until finally they know nothing about everything. Conversely, professors can learn more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing. Consequently, I think it’s wise for Bible teachers to work from a happy medium and not be threatened by what they do not know or have not yet discovered. Bible teachers should be confident and encouraged by what they do know and have already come to discern.
Second, because it’s frustrating for a teacher to cover everything, today’s teacher may find it most effective to focus narrowly upon certain subjects so as to probe them more deeply and discover more fully the relevance of those narrow subjects. And, by all means, continue your personal quest for true knowledge and genuine servanthood, which is worthy of the gospel you represent.
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This article was originally published in the January/February 2021 issue of Bible Study Magazine. Slight adjustments, such as title and subheadings, may be the addition of an editor.
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