In this issue
Spring Semester & Seminars - Begins January 21, 2025
Great Gift Ideas for Christmas - Books by TBS students and staff
TBS Hits the Road - Exploring Oklahoma, Dallas, and California
The Archaeology of Christmas - by Dr. Scott Stripling
Giving Tuesday Recap - TBS Student Stories
Spring Semester
Registration for the Spring semester is open! Enroll as a certificate or graduate student, audit ($395 per class), or attend a seminar ($89 per person) to broaden your knowledge, deepen your faith, and train for godly leadership.
Don’t miss out—secure your spot today! Spring Semester begins Monday, January 21, 2025.
Visit TheBibleSeminary.edu and click Get Started.
Spring 2025 Courses
ARC 501 – Archaeology & Methodology | Tuesdays | 9:00 AM | with Dr. Chris McKinney
Audit, Certificate, or Graduate
GRK 502 – Greek Language & Cultures | Mondays & Thursdays | 8:45 AM | with Dr. Matt Glassman
Audit, Certificate, or Graduate
PAS 501 – Pastor-Shepherd I | Wednesdays | 9:00 AM | with Dr. Pat Ryan
Audit, Certificate, or Graduate
THE 501 – Theology I | Tuesdays | 2:00 PM | with Dr. Craig Evans
Audit, Certificate, or Graduate
THE 511 – Church History II | Fridays | 9:00 AM | with Dr. Israel Loken
Audit, Certificate, or Graduate
Spring 2025 Seminars
Egyptology Seminar with Paige Brevick
Friday, February 14, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
$89 per person Register Today!
*Limited capacity
*In-Person, Online, or On Demand
The End of the World as We Know It: Marvel Comic Movies and Biblical Apocalypse
with Dr. Israel Steinmetz
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM atThe Bible Seminary
$89 per person Register Today!
*In-Person, Online, or On Demand
Great Gift Ideas for Christmas
Looking for unique Christmas gifts? The TBS Bookstore has a wide selection of books that truly offer something for everyone—from inspiring devotionals to thought-provoking theological works. Surprise your loved ones with a meaningful gift they’ll treasure a lifetime. Shop now to find the perfect present and make this Christmas unforgettable! Visit the TBS Bookstore today!
New Book release by TBS Alum Jacob Figueroa on the TBS Podcast.
TBS Hits the Road!
Armstrong Auditorium in Edmond, Oklahoma
Thu, Nov 7, 2024: TBS students, alumni, and families toured the “Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered” exhibit on display at the Armstrong Auditorium in Edmond, Oklahoma. Participants traveled from across the U.S. from California, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas, and other states for an afternoon of fellowship and enrichment. The displays were phenomenal with beautiful backdrops, informative tour guides, 3D depictions, and virtual reality experiences. The tour included a glimpse of textiles and dyes of the ancient world and artifacts such as the Ophel pithos and Tel Dan Stele (which is on short term loan for viewing from the Israeli Museum). The pithos was found at the Temple Mount and is believed to have been an incense vessel from the Queen of Sheba. The stele was recovered at the Tel-Dan excavation in 1993 and is the first artifact which lends reference outside of the biblical narrative to the ‘House of David’ and provides extra biblical support for the historical accuracy and validity of the Bible.
Institute for Creation Research in Dallas, Texas
Sat, Nov 9, 2024: Dr. Scott Stripling presented “The Evidence for the Historical Jesus” and “Jesus and the Ritual Purity Culture” at the Biblical Archaeology Conference: Unearthing the Historical Jesus hosted on the campus of the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) in Dallas, Texas. With 200 in attendance, Dr. Stripling shared an understanding of the culture and discussed historical aspects of archaeological finds. The conference ended with a panel discussions and question & answer session with fellow presenters Dr. Randall Price and Dr. Jim Johnson.
ETS Conference in San Diego, California
Wed – Fri, Nov 20–22, 2024: TBS faculty, staff, students, and alumni attended the Evangelical Theological Society’s (ETS) annual conference at the Marriot Marquis Marina in San Diego, California. Near East Archaeological Society (NEAS) sessions included a presentation by TBS Provost and NEAS President, Dr. Scott Stripling, entitled “A Proposed Identification for Silu in EA 288.” Dr. Craig Evans, who will be joining The Bible Seminary in Spring 2025, presented with Pieter van der Veen “The Mount Ebal Lead Inscription: Does it contain the Divine Name YHWH?” This was followed with Dr. Stripling and Dr. Evans teaming together on “Did the Swine drown at Gergesa? Another look at Mark 5:1 in the Light of Text and Topography.” NEAS and ETS enjoyed record attendance this year, helping to bring more light to TBS and the work we are doing to illuminate biblical texts.
TBS Adjunct Professor Dr. Melissa Davis also attended and presented a “Practical Theology: Studies in Biblical Worship” session presentation on “Worship as Moral Formation.”
This was the second year TBS hosted a booth at ETS. With the growth of The Bible Seminary’s Nehemiah Press in conjunction with our faculty’s previously published writings we had the opportunity to bring more exposure to our authors and to publishing opportunities. Allison Taylor, Marketing Director, and Emma Clodfelder, Student Services Coordinator, along with assistance from students Dan Lawless, Ryan Wood, Janet Fischer, and Jeff Young shared with over 250 visitors about TBS, NEAS, opportunities to explore ancient Israel on an archaeological dig, and showcased artifacts on display from the Joshua, Judges, and Jesus (3J) museum.
The Archaeology of Christmas
by Dr. Scott Stripling
Joseph journeyed to Bethlehem, his ancestral home, with his espoused wife Mary to participate in a mandatory census (Luke 2:3). In the ancient Near East, a family’s historic ties to their hometown was of upmost importance. The custom of the time would have dictated space be found in the family home for Joseph and his family upon arrival in Bethlehem.
Further, with Mary close to giving birth, the ladies in the family would have likely given her special attention. Mary had relatives nearby in the “hill country of Judea” (Luke 1:39). With Jesus being born “while they were there” (Luke 2:6), there may have even been time for alternative arrangements if Bethlehem had been unwelcoming.
Although the text does not mention a barn, the manger (phatna) is prominent (Luke 2:7, 12, and 16). Stone-carved mangers were common on the ground floor of domestic structures in Israel throughout biblical times. The practice of keeping animals in the house was common. While flocks were kept in sheepfolds out in the fields (see Luke 2:8), valuable or vulnerable animals – ox, donkey, sick or pregnant sheep and goats – would be brought into the house’s ground floor domestic stable. Doing so protected these valuable animals from harm from wild animals or theft. Often, they were kept in a room with a fenestrated “window” wall. Such was the place where baby Jesus would have been laid in a manger.
Luke records that “there was no room for them in the kataluma” (Luke 2:7). The only other New Testament mention of kataluma was as the upper chamber “guest room” of a Jerusalem house where the Last Supper was held (Luke 22:11). Luke’s use of the term, kataluma (“guest room”) in 22:11 is the same word translated “inn” in 2:7 on the first night of Jesus’ life. Luke indicated that there was no room (or space) for them in the “guest room” of the house where Mary and Joseph were staying. The NIV’s 2011 revision, acknowledged this fact, changing “inn” to “guest room” (2:7).
Luke knew what a public inn was, using that term in the account of the Good Samaritan at an “inn” (pandocheion) in 10:34 with an “innkeeper” (pandocheus) in 10:35. His use of kataluma indicates a different space – the “guest room” of a house. A careful examination reveals no barn or innkeeper in the text. Instead, it suggests that baby Jesus was placed in a manger on the ground floor of a Bethlehem house – probably surrounded by family – because the upstairs “guest room” was already full.
Giving Tuesday Recap
Click to watch all of the TBS Student videos from the day.
On December 3, 2024, we shared the heart of TBS through powerful stories from our students, staff, faculty, and alumni. It was a meaningful day filled with inspiration and connection. Thank you for supporting TBS and helping impact lives through faith and education. Your generosity helps make all the TBS does possible and helps make a lasting difference in people's lives!
You may continue to GIVE anytime between now and December 31. Drop a check by the office, give by mail, or donate online. Flexible options include the following:
One-Time or Recurring Donations
Charitable IRA Rollovers (tax-free gifts directly from your IRA)
Donor Advised Funds (for flexible giving with immediate tax benefits
Donate by Mail
The Bible Seminary, 23501 CINCO RANCH BLVD, STE H120-930, KATY TX 77494-3109
Join us in praying and fasting monthly on 2nd Tuesdays for TBS financial provision!
Category | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov 2024 |
Monthly Income | $58,916 | $54,112 | $110,017 |
Monthly Expense | $94,956 | $85,380 | $83,390 |
Monthly Balance | -$36,040 | -$31,268 | $26,627 |
Cumulative Balance* | -$360,062 | -$391,330 | -$364,703 |
* Cumulative Balance since post-Covid-19 shortfall incurred during 2021-22 fiscal year. Meeting the Giving Tuesday goal would fully replenish all accounts and provide a strong financial position for achieving TRACS 10-year Reaffirmation of Accreditation scheduled for a vote by the accrediting commission in April 2025..
Update your contact information with TBS
NOW is the perfect time to update your contact information. Doing so allows us to keep you informed about important updates, events, and opportunities that matter to you. Confirm how we can best reach you and share information you desire. Thank you!
The Bible Seminary (TBS) is an independent, non- denominational, 501(c)(3) charitable institution of higher education incorporated in Texas in 2010 to offer training for laity and vocational ministry professionals. TBS is an Accredited member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a participant in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) for Distance Education, and an approved CEU provider for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Goals include helping nurture a biblically literate populace via comprehensive, strategic, Bible-based training through classes and seminars, museum exhibits, productions and publications, and archaeological digs and study tours.
“They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.” - Nehemiah 8:8
Campus
2655 S MASON RDKATY TX 77450-1772
Mailing
23501 CINCO RANCH BLVD STE H120-930KATY TX 77494-3109
E-mail: info@TheBibleSeminary.edu
Phone: 281-646-1109
Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 4 PM
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