Pisteuomen - πιστευομεν - T. Michael W. Halcomb

After a number of tries to become part of the EU, Turkey is putting in their bid again. Today, President Bush actually pushed for Turkey's inclusion. Honestly, having been to Turkey, having read it's political history and having talked to Turkish folk, I think it is about time that they be included. While it may add a more secular tint to the country--which, in fact, may prove better for Christians living there, often amongst persecution, which many Turks don't want to acknowledge still exists--being part of the EU will be a good thing!!! Inclusion in the EU may also bring some calm to what is or at least is often made to seem like extremism on behalf of Turkey's Muslim leaders. Without a doubt, it will bring some more hope and structure to the country's financial situation. Anyways, we'll see what happens and despite the fact that my opinion means nothing to anyone, I think it's about time that they be "let in".

Here are the Asia Minor entries from my Images of Antiquity Series: #1 - Smyrna & Thyatira #2 - Sardis & Philadelphia #3 - Pamukkale & Pergamum #4 - Laodicea #5 - Ephesus #6 - Assos, Alexander Troas & Troy #7 - Asia Minor Compilation #8 - Pix From Ben Witherington

Okay, so, I said before that I had completed my visual tour of Turkey. Well, come to find out, Ben Witherington has posted some incredible aerial photos that are simply "must see"! Check out these pix by clicking the following link: Aerial Pix of Turkey . Also, don't forget to check out my slideshow located at the bottom of the right column, which contains about 50 of my pictures from Turkey.

In this set of pictures, we will be looking at a few ancient sites in Turkey: Assos, Alexander Troas and Troy. If you copy or download the pictures, please do not manipulate or change them in any form from their current state. Otherwise, feel free to use them. Enjoy. The first photo is of the waterfront in the city of Assos. Assos is located in Northwestern Turkey and is not far from the other two sites mentioned here (Alexander Troas & Troy). Assos is mentioned twice in the New Testament, both times in conjunction with Paul's missionary journeys in Acts 20 (verses 13-4). The text says, "We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene." When we arrived at Assos it was late at night and honestly, I have never seen that many stars at once, it was incredible. In the morning, as we were eating brea...

In this set of pictures, we will be looking at ancient Ephesus. If you copy or download the pictures, please do not manipulate or change them in any form from their current state. Otherwise, feel free to use them. Enjoy. In the first photo, you can see a number of things in the background but the focus is on the mosaic sidewalk. The design on the sidewalk is very detailed and intricate as it forms a number of artistic pictures. One of the things you realize when you travel through these ancient cities is that there were many talented artists who paved the way for much of how the Western world does art today. The sidewalk on which the mosaic rests is a much smaller part of a long street, one of the main streets that ran through the city. Also, the mosaic sits in front of a number of small workshops and houses. You can also see some columns running alongside the sidewalk, which takes us to photo #2. In the second photo, you see me, posing behind a statue. These were "caesar" st...

*Okay, so after posting this, I noticed that somehow, the pictures changed order. That could happen again, who knows, so, even though the pictures may have numbers in the bottom right corner, to go along with my comments below, take the picture of the theater as the first of the series (thus, theather pic = photo #1). Continuing my series "Images of Antiquity," I offer here some photos and thoughts on ancient Laodicea, located in Turkey. You may copy, save, use and distribute these pictures in their present format. Please do not manipulate or change them. Thanks and enjoy! In photo number one, you can see the Laodicean theater. Of all of the theaters I visited in Turkey, this was by far the largest one I saw (and I saw a lot of them because practically every sizeable city had one). It appears that this theater was used predominantly for plays and musical performances. The acoustics of this theather were amazing, one person could stand down in the center pit and another could...

Continuing my series "Images of Antiquity," I offer here some photos and thoughts on sights near Pamukkale & Pergamum, both in Turkey. You may copy, save, use and distribute these pictures in their present format. Please do not manipulate or change them. Thanks and enjoy! Pamukkale The picture to the left is of a theater in Pamukkale. Actually, the theater is located in a city that was known as Hierapolis. This is one of the most restored and therefore detailed theaters that exists today. You can see the decorations at the back of the stage and the various entrances onto the stage. The musicians would sit in the semi-circle in front of the stage or sometimes beneath the stage. Located just behind the stage (you cannot really see it here, is a temple of Apollo). Hierapolis means "Holy City" in Greek. It was known for it hot springs and is located not far from the ancient cities of Colossae and Laodicea. When one visits Hierapolis today, they have to first go thr...

In a number of previous posts, I have shared photographs from a trip that I took through Turkey and Greece. Because so many believers never have the opportunity to journey to and through these ancient sites, I want to share some of my photos; this might allow some people to put a face on or an image with the places that they read about in Scripture. So, along with my series on “Studies in Mark,” I want to begin another new series: “Images of Antiquity.” Below is the first part in this new series. Enjoy. (Click the photos for larger, more clear viewing.) Smyrna These are Roman aqueducts located on the outskirts of "Izmir," or ancient "Smyrna" (you can sense the etymology at work in the name change). Smyrna is mentioned in Revelation 1.11 and 2.8ff. This is a photo of modern-day Izmir. When it comes to bibical studies, next to nothing of antiquity can be found in this large city. The city, is very large and very compact. Like most U.S. cities, it is predominately secu...

Yesterday, I posted a new banner for the Pisteuomen blog. The photo (taken by my wife or myself a few months ago) appears, at first glance, to be the shore of a beach or a snow-covered hill. However, it is actually a large mountain; the surface of it only resembles waves or snow. Pamukkale / Hierapolis ("Holy City") is located in Turkey near the ancient Biblical sites of Laodicea and Colossae. Leading up to Hierapolis is actually a location referred to as Nekropolis ("City of the Dead" which I may do a post on soon) that contains a great number of ancient tombs; it is quite fascinating to see. Pamukkale,though, is known in large part for its hot water springs. In fact, the hotel we stayed in at Pamukkale had its own hot water spring swimming pool (the water was quite brown and very, very hot, 89.6 *F). Anyways, back to the mountain. On the face of the mountain's surface there are a lot of calcium deposits that hold water; they look like puddles or small pools. I...