Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 76

Cruise 7 Ephesus and Mary’s House

Ephesus is always a favorite day. One of the best preserved Roman cities in the world. Also, one of the most biblical cities related to Saint Paul and the spread of Christianity.

After a great breakfast, we disembarked for Mary’s House where we had Mass, visited her house and had some free time for shopping and to enjoy the site. From there we toured the ancient city of Ephesus with all its splendor. With a bit of imagination the site comes alive — as well as the Bible. I gave a short talk in the 24,000 seat stadium theater. I gave another talk about Mary and the dogmas related to her at the church where the 3rd Ecumenical Council took place.

Sultankoy Turistik Rugs was next for a rug demonstration and a fantastic lunch, which was reminiscent of Downton Abbey. Then to the ruins of the Church of Saint John, where his tomb was found. I gave my short talk on St. John and the Early Church. Then back to the ship for a free evening.

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Ephesians: The Body of Christ, both Jew & Gentile

He was under arrest. Those in squalled dungeons had it worse, but chains are never a good thing. He was confined to his own rented quarters with a Roman soldier on guard day and night. Caesar was busy and no little hurry to hear the appeals of a wandering Jewish preacher. Unable to travel and visit his beloved brethren, writing was the next best thing. His intense concern for their well-being moved him to pick up quill and ink.

While imprisoned in Rome, St. Paul wrote at least four letters —“prison epistles”—one to Philippi, one to a slave owner named Philemon, and two to Asia Minor (modern day Turkey): Colossians and Ephesians. These are twin epistles, the first emphasizing Christ the Head, the second Christ the Body.

What did Paul do in captivity besides write, pray, and teach? No doubt he reminisced on his three eventful years in Ephesus—the most important Roman city in Asia Minor. Today it is quite different from the time when Paul walked its cobbled streets with grooves worn in the roads by metal chariot wheels. Today it is in ruins, but in his day it was a metropolitan port city bustling with businesses, bathhouses, and brothels. It was also home of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!

Paul could not miss this magnificent temple to his left as he walked up the Acadian Road after disembarking from the ship. Today there is only one marble column left standing on the marshy land to mark the spot of this pagan shrine, and today on top of the single column sets a nest of squawking baby storks. For centuries a Greek goddess had been enshrined here and people came from the whole Empire to worship her, bring gifts, and implore her favors. This wonder of the ancient world was the Temple of Artemis, or Diana as the Romans called her (Acts 19).

Like in Athens, Paul must have told the Ephesians that idols were not living or real—there was only one true God. Apart from these pagan throngs was a community of Jews and a number of disciples. Paul preached and argued daily and founded a church in Ephesus.

Hostility was a fact of life, but one of the toughest battles, not only in Ephesus, but in all the Gentile areas, was how to incorporate Jews and Gentiles into one church. While in confinement Paul wrestled with the problem and Ephesians is a resulting masterpiece of logic, revelation, and eloquence. The redemption purchased by the death of Christ frees us from sin and death (Eph 2:1-4). The goal is one covenant family containing all peoples and tongues, slave and free, Jew and Gentile.

Is this Church divided? The Gentiles had been excluded from God and without hope in the world (Eph 2:12).

For the whole story, click here.

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Cruise 6 Pergamum and the Throne of Satan

We had a much lighter day today. Until now, each day has been filled with touring and exploring important biblical sites and the history and culture of Greece and Turkey.

But today we had the morning free since our stop at Pergamum is only for a few hours in the afternoon. It was greatly appreciated by everyone so they could explore the ship, relax, sit on the deck, and do whatever they wanted.

We had Mass in the Muise Lounge at 10 AM and Fr. James Conlon did a great job as always. Then we disembarked the ship at 12:30 and took our three buses to biblical Pergamum which is one of the Seven Churches in Revelation (read Rev. 2:12-17). I explained this obscure passage to the group up on the mountain. We also visited the Askelpion.

The rest of the day was free to enjoy the ship, the great meals and all the activities available. And a lot of people enjoyed the rest!

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Sr. John’s Message about the Throne of Satan (Rev 2:12-17)

Today we are visiting the ancient city of Pergamum way up on a mountain in Turkey. In Revelation, chapter 2 St. John writes from exile on the Island of Patmos to those in his diocese in Pergamum. He warned them about the throne of Satan, and the shortcomings of their lives.

This is a video I did at Pergamum a few years ago and I’m posting it again. I pretend that I am the “runner “and messenger from John, taking his letters to the seven churches of Revelation all in the area of Asian Minor in Southwest Turkey of today.

I hope you enjoy it as a “living commentary” on the book of Revelation 2:12-17. (The original altar is in the Berlin Museum.)

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Cruise 5 Istanbul and Hagia Sophia

Istanbul is an exotic city. Most Americans are hesitant to come here but it’s actually a wonderfully beautiful and friendly city. It’s also very western European compared to the eastern part of Turkey. Today we spent the day in Istanbul!

We went first to the Blue Mosque and then to Hagia Sophia. You’ll see pictures of these in the opening of the movie as we come into port. It’s a magnificent view from the ship. Unhappily, the Hagia Sophia, which was the largest church for 1000 years before St. Peters was built has now been turned into a mosque. But we could still see the grandeur of the original purpose of the church. It’s still moving to walk inside and see the magnificence of Christianity in its glory.

From there we had lunch at our favorite Hamdi Restaurant with all the Turkish specialties, and then time to enjoy the very exotic and intriguing Spice Market. From there, to Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, where Pope St. John XXIII was a priest for several years.

Back to the ship for an another fine dinner and some free time this evening.

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“Islam, What Every Infidel Should Know” – My Talk Given at Steubenville

When asked to give this talk at the Defending the Faith Summer Conference I at first hesitated because I knew it would be very politically incorrect and hard-hitting. I didn’t know how it would be received — but I got a standing ovation.

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Cruise 4 Philippi and Neopolis

Our group was the first one off the ship so we could have Mass outdoors at the Zygatis River where Paul baptized his first European convert named Lydia. She was a wealthy businesswoman who manufactured purple cloth. We renewed our baptismal vows here during the Mass.

I gave my talk “What Must I Do to Be Saved? And How Am I Born Again?“ in the outdoor theater, where Paul assumedly spoke to the people of Philippi. We saw the prison where Paul and Silas were incarcerated before their release, and we walked through the ancient ruins of the city of Philippi.

A nice lunch before we headed back to Kavala, where I took people out to walk on the ancient Via Egnatia, the same road Paul walked on between Neapolis (Kavala) and Philippi.

Back to the ship for a wine tasting class and then I gave my talk on “An Intro to the life and Teachings of St. Paul.” An excellent group dinner in our private dining room, and then a good night’s sleep.

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Philippians: Joy and Rejoicing with St. Paul

It was the strangest thing they had ever heard. It was not necessarily the singing¾they had heard that before. It was the time of the singing¾midnight¾and it was the place of the singing. This was no temple or amphitheater. The men were down below, where rats scurry over their faces in the darkness and the bugs scamper under their clothing and bite.

It was damp and cold and foul. The wounds from the severe beatings were swollen and discolored. The shackles clamped on the ankles would usually incite cursing. They had heard screams and cursing from the jail before¾that was nothing new. But never had they heard joyous singing.

But it was the earthquake that scared the jailer. The ground shook and prison doors flew open. He saw the open door and was ready to fall on his sword, afraid the prisoners had escaped.

He knew the penalty for allowing prisoners to escape¾instant execution. From the depth of the prison he heard a voice calling: “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” The city was Philippi in Macedonia and the year was about ad 51. Paul and Silas had been imprisoned for preaching and for casting an evil spirit out of a young slave girl–a girl exploited by her masters for soothsaying and great profit.

Having been spared by the two men rejoicing in chains¾and the power of God¾the trembling jailer fell to his knees before Paul and pleaded, “What must I do to be saved?” He was baptized that very night with his whole household. They soon joined Lydia and her household who had heard Paul’s message earlier and believed (Acts 16:14-15). The church in Philippi was born.

It is now about ten years later, between ad 61-63 and Paul, again in chains, writes a joyful letter to the young church that he had established in Philippi. They had been the first to hear the gospel in Europe. Paul was writing from prison, in Rome, confined by chains and guards (Acts 28:16, 30-31). But again, he was joyful. In fact, in his short letter to the Philippians he uses the word “joy” or “rejoice” an unprecedented sixteen times. His heart could sing with joy even though his body groaned in pain. He was teaching by example—rejoice always; keep your eyes on Jesus.

The early Church was full of singing; it was the verbal expression of the joy within. Singing was probably different than we know it today—probably a melodic chant led by a canter and repeated by the people. Christians did not invent hymns. They were sung by pagans to honor and laud their gods and heroes. In the Church hymns were sung as a natural expression of Christian joy, and, based in part on Jewish synagogue practice, an integral part of worship. Paul exhorted his friends in Philippi, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” (Phil 4:4).

Not only were these ancient hymns sung as an expression of joy, but they were also used to instruct the faithful, providing a creed, so to speak, memorized as a song.

For the whole story, click here.

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Cruise 3 Thessaloniki & Berea

The seas were a bit rough last night, and a few people got seasick, but everybody is fine this morning. A beautiful sunrise awaited us as we had our sumptuous breakfast in several different locations on the ship. We got off at around 9:30 and took our buses on a tour of Thessaloniki where we also had Mass at the Cathedral.

From there we drove less than an hour to Berea, which is mentioned in Acts 17:10-15. The Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, because they received the word of God from Paul with great eagerness. I gave my talk, debunking sola Scriptura and the nobility of the Bereans. We also discussed the source and structure of authority in the Church.

We came back to the ship for dinner and got to bed. Looking forward to Philippi in the morning.

Steve’s talk on the Bereans and “ Bible Alone

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Cruise 2 Athens and Out to Sea

We are finally underway! With the good news that all 90 tested negative for Covid, and that everyone was here with no lost luggage, we had a great evening and everyone had a good nights sleep.

A nice touring day seeing the Parthenon and crawling around up on the Acropolis. My favorite place of course is Mars Hill where Paul gave his defense before the Athenians 2000 years ago.

It’s an amazing outcropping of rock where the court was held in the shadow of the Parthenon. One of Paul’s most brilliant speeches. I explained this biblical account with both buses.

Then we boarded the ship, had a fine dinner in our private dining room and we set sail for Thessaloníki.

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