The time period between the Old and New Testament has some very interesting history in Israel, including the Maccabean Revolt, the Hasmonean Dynasty, and the rededication of the temple after the defiling of it by the Seleucid Empire. Archaeologist Dr. Scott Stripling discusses all of this history and how it connects with Hanukkah, and also answers the question: did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah?

Babylonian astronomers, Persian priests and Chinese mystics are people that have been suggested to be the Magi that visited Christ after his birth. Archaeologist Bryan Windle joins the show to discuss the history of the Magi, what traditions we have that are not scriptural, and where the Magi might have actually come from based on historical evidence.

Christian scholar Dr. Thomas Schmidt talks about his research into the first century general, priest, pharisee and historian, Flavius Josephus. Dr. Schmidt shares about some of the new evidence that he has discovered relating to the personal connections Josephus had with the Jewish elite, including the high priests that had both Jesus and his brother James executed. Dr. Schmidt also addresses the infamous Testimonium Flavianum, the reference to Jesus in Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews. Is this passage authentic, partially authentic, or a Christian forgery? Dr. Schmidt's book can be downloaded for free:  https://josephusandjesus.com/

The transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age happened when the Israelites were themselves transitioning from being nomadic and tribal, to building cities and growing their kingdom in the Promised Land. Abigail Van Huss, Assistant Director of the Shiloh Excavations, discusses her research in Israel's central hill country during this time period when most of academia does not agree that Israel was even a nation at this time.

At the Shiloh Excavation during the 2025 season, Israel attacked Iran, and Iran retaliated with missiles. Archaeologist Dr. Scott Stripling tells about some of the new discoveries they have made during the season, and then what happened when they had to escape Israel to get back home safely.

Special thanks to Jan Brewster for letting us use some of her aerial drone shots.

Archaeologist Dr. Titus Kennedy joins us as we explore the city of Zoar and its relationship to the sin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. We will survey the archaeological evidence from the excavations at Zoar and several important discoveries related to Abraham and Lot in Genesis 14, 18, and 19.

Ted Wright, the Executive Director of Epic Archaeology, shares about his research into the landing place of Noah's Ark, including his multiple expeditions up and around Mount Ararat in Turkey, and about what their team has found and analyzed.

New Testament scholar, Dr. Craig Evans, joins Henry to discuss the book of Mark, and specifically in Mark chapter 2 where Jesus heals a paralytic man, and also forgives his sins. Scholars tend to think of the book of Mark as having a low Christology, and books like Luke and John which are believed to be written later, to have a higher Christology. Dr. Evans helps explain why that is not the case.