Digs and Scriptures: Exploring the Bible Through Archaeology
Date & Time
Instructor
Grade Level
This course introduces students to the world of biblical archaeology and the discoveries that illuminate the people, places, and events described in Scripture. We will explore archaeological finds from the ancient Near East — cities, inscriptions, artifacts, and everyday objects — and consider how they connect to the historical accounts found in the Old and New Testaments.
The primary goal of this class is to demonstrate the historical reliability of the biblical narrative and to show how archaeology has repeatedly supported and clarified the world of the Bible. Students will see that their faith is not based only on ideas, but is also rooted in real history, real places, and real people. By examining evidence uncovered through scientific excavation and research, students will be encouraged that the stories of the Bible are grounded in the material world and reflect events that truly happened.
Please view prerequisites and required supplies below.
Where God Came Down by author Joel Kramer, Publisher: Sourceflix | Expedition Bible (October 14, 2020); ISBN-10: ‎ 0998037419 or ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0998037417
it is strongly suggested each student have a physical copy of a Bible, however, there are free versions online that are acceptable (biblegateway.com, etc.). Because of the likelihood of students coming from a diversity of denominational (or non-denominational) backgrounds I do not require a specific version of the bible. Some acceptable versions are KJV, NKJV, NIV, NRSV, RSV, ESV.
Kenneth Bracker is a homeschool graduate having been part of the original first wave of homeschooling pioneered by Raymond and Dorothy Moore in the 1970’s. By age eighteen Kenneth had worked on more than two dozen political campaigns as a full time campaign manager, spent two years working as an intern at the local cable station, and spent four straight summers volunteering at nursing homes and Alzheimer wards. Homeschooling for him involved real life application of the biblical values his parents instilled within him.Â
Kenneth obtained his B.S. in Psychology from Baker College with a focus in Chemical Substance Abuse, and then his Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. For the better part of a decade he was either leading bible studies at the local county jail, or working as a counselor at the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center where he led weekly group counseling sessions as well as one-on-one counseling for the men who lived at the 9-month program facility.Â
Kenneth is a small business owner, and currently works for Saint Andrew’s Theological College and Seminary overseeing their media and web development and is a manuscript editor for books and publications for Saint Andrew’s and the Orthodox Anglican Church.
Reared in the Great Books philosophy of education, Kenneth is an avid reader and having completed the Western Canon of literature decades ago, spends his free time studying theology and church history, as well as playing golf daily with his youngest son who is homeschooled and enrolled in Excelsior Classes.Â
Student I. –
Im an excelsior student and I have done a lot of fun classes here and this one of the best! the classes are fun and the homework is not super hard (but you still learn from it) we learned so many cool things, for example the Tower of Babel has been found! I did not know that till I did this class. Mr. Bracker is amazing as well.
Parent A. –
My son’s favorite class! Never wanted to miss a session because he found it fascinating and thrilling- Mr Bracker did an excellent job!