The Old Testament tells a story primarily written to, by, and about people of the landthe promised land and its neighboring territories. Those at home on the sea were almost always portrayed as enemies by those authors. But with the New Testament comes a startling shift of focus: The disciples take their message to the ends of the earth via the Mediterranean Sea.
In On the Face of the Deep, Linford Stutzman highlights the importance of sea stories in Scripture. A biblical scholar as well as an expert sailor, Stutzman rereads these passages with insights from history, marine archaeology, ancient texts, and the cultural and physical environment of the Mediterranean itself. His study reveals geographical and cultural details that enhance our appreciation of the drama and significance of the Bible's sea stories.
Introduction
1. Division: Water, Sea, Land, and People in the Hebrew Scriptures
2. Perils: The Mediterranean Sea from Hebrew to Greek Scriptures
3. Domination: Mare Nostrum and the Greek New Testament
4. Potential: The Sea in the Gospels
5. Competition: Mare Nostrum and Acts
6. Navigation: The Sea Change in Scripture
Conclusion: Navigating the Sea after Scripture
Appendix
Indexes
Linford Stutzman (PhD, Catholic University of America) is professor emeritus of culture, religion, and missions at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he previously directed the Biblical Lands Educational Seminars and Service (BLESS). He is the author of Sailing Acts and With Paul at Sea. Linford and his wife, Janet, have been sailing the Mediterranean since 2004.
