The Evangel University School of Theology and Church Ministries will welcome world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Gabriel Barkay to campus Sept. 29 – Oct. 1.
“Dr. Barkay is a prominent Israeli archaeologist and scholar,” said Dr. Wave Nunnally, professor of early Judaism and Christian origins. “He has been instrumental in some of the most significant archaeological discoveries in our lifetime. He will be speaking on recent discoveries he has made in and around Jerusalem.”
The sessions will highlight Barkay’s expeditions, including the discovery of some of the earliest texts of the Bible, predating the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Bethlehem Seal.
“This will be the first time that Dr. Barkay has spoken on the Evangel campus. It will be an excellent opportunity for our community to hear and interact with a scholar who is at the top of his field,” Nunnally said.
Nunnally directs Evangel’s Israel Study Trip program in conjunction with The Center for Holy Lands Studies, where Barkay lectures to groups of students on-site in Israel. Nunnally’s most recent trip took place last May-June. More than 80 students from colleges across the United States were a part of the study trip.
“We have benefitted greatly from Dr. Barkay’s knowledge and presentations on-site in Israel, and now look forward to his being on our campus. This is a great opportunity for even more of our students and campus community to learn of his amazing discoveries,” Nunnally said.
The events are free and open to the public.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Sunday, Sept. 29, 6 p.m.
Central Assembly of God, 1301 Boonville Ave.
Monday, Sept. 30, 12 noon
Trask Hall, Room 102, at Evangel University
Monday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m.
Evangel University Chapel
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 12 noon
Luncheon at Missouri State University, Strong Hall, Room 004 (Bring your own lunch.)
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.
Cafeteria, Room 115, at Evangel University
These lectures are part of the annual meeting of the Greater Springfield Professors of Biblical Studies. The public is welcome to attend any of Barkay’s events, and admission is free.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Gabriel Barkay was born in Hungary in 1944 and immigrated to Israel in 1950. After graduating from Hebrew University, where he studied archaeology, comparative religion and geography, he graduated from Tel Aviv University with a Ph.D. in archaeology in 1985.
Barkay is best known for his work in Israel. He studies burial customs, art, epigraphy and Iron Age tombs in Jerusalem.
In the early ’80s, he discovered one of the oldest texts of the Bible, dating 400 years earlier than the Dead Sea Scrolls. These texts contain the “Priestly Blessing” found in the book of Numbers.
In early 2012, while directing the Temple Mount Sifting Project, Barkay made another astounding discovery: the Bethlehem Seal. The seal contains the name and birthplace of King David and Jesus and was used as a stamp to validate ancient transactions in the seventh century B.C.
Barkay is a recipient of the Jerusalem Prize for Archaeological Research. He teaches at Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv. Barkay has taught at the American Institute of Holy Land Studies for more than 30 years.
For additional information, contact Wave Nunnally at (417) 865-2815, ext. 8516.