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• Bible & Archaeology Fest XV, November 16-18, 2012
  “Egypt in Jeremiah’s Day: Friend or Foe?”
  This lecture explores some of the different ways in which Egypt figures in the Book of Jeremiah. First there is the political-military reality of the day, in which Egypt is seen as a potential counterbalance to Babylon, but is rightly shown to be an unreliable ally. Second, because of this reality, Egypt figures in Jeremiah’s messages in different ways. Third, Egypt also serves as a place of refuge for Judeans in the early 6th century and beyond. Jeremiah not only comes to Egypt, but he also prophesies to the diaspora community scattered from Egypt’s farthest north to its southern border. In the end, according to the prophet, Egypt was not a reliable support, and in fact was not to be trusted.

• Bible & Archaeology Fest XII, November 20-22, 2009
  “Exploring David’s Strange Antics after Defeating Goliath.”
  The story of David and Goliath is surely one of the best-known dramatic narratives in the Bible. Biblical scholars and archaeologists have been investigating the duel from the perspective of archaeology, especially concentrating on the weaponry involved. One aspect of the story that has not been sufficiently studied and clarified is found in 1 Samuel 17:54, which reads, “David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent.” These rather enigmatic statements will be the focus of this talk. We will examine the significance of removing Goliath’s head to Jerusalem, a Jebusite stronghold, and attempt to resolve the question of “whose tent” was taken and why. By carefully examining the text of 1 Samuel 17:54 and offering some contextual data about ancient near eastern military practices, we will attempt to illuminate what was behind David’s strange antics after slaying the Philistine champion.

• Out of Egypt
• Son of God: From Pharaoh to Israel’s kings to Jesus