Course Description: 
IDCC 260:  A Cross Cultural Biblical Journey: From Acts to Revelation
This course explores the remarkably diverse cultural landscape of Turkey from its ancient past to its modern present. Through field-based examination of biblical archaeological sites in western and central Turkey, we will learn about the influence of the Greco-Roman culture on the early Christian movement in both Greece and Turkey, while also examining other historical periods, including early settlements in Anatolya, the Byzantine (Christian) Empire, and the Ottoman (Islamic) Empire and The Greek island of Rhodes.  In order to provide a unique glimpse into both the secular and Islamic worlds of modern-day Turkey, students will visit quaint agricultural villages, grand bazaars, modern cities. They will take a pottery making lesson from a family owned business and will also get to participate in a four-day home stay in modern Izmir (ancient Smyrna).

Estimated Course Fee: $6100

Faculty Biographies:

Dr. Sharon Putt received her undergraduate degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, her M.A.T.H. from Texas Christian University and her Ph.D. from Southern Methodist University. She has significant experience traveling abroad and taking students on cross-cultural trips. She has traveled with youth groups and took 22 Messiah students to Ghana, Africa in 2009. Their stay in mud huts with thatched roofs, lack of hot water for three weeks, and hours of rough travel on dirt roads have prepared her for future travel under very diverse circumstances. She and her husband have taken students on international trips to Italy, Greece, and Turkey for years. She has traveled extensively in Europe and the Middle-east. Her discipline is world religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christian theology which have prepared her to teach students to value views other than their own and to provide the guidance necessary for a cross-cultural trip.

Dr. B. Keith Putt is Professor of Philosophy at Samford University in Birmingham, AL and Sharon’s husband. He has a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philosophy of Religion and a Ph. D. from Rice University in Philosophical Theology. He has traveled extensively in the United States, in Europe and the Middle-east. He and his wife have taken students on international trips to Italy, Greece, and Turkey for years. He also teaches the core Cultural Perspectives courses at Samford that enable him to teach students how to appreciate those who think and live differently.

Professor Dan Schmidt received his MA at Trinity International University and an MDiv at Princeton Theological Seminary in Hebrew Bible and New Testament. He serves as an adjunct instructor in Bible and Theology at Messiah University and as the senior pastor at St. Thomas UCC church in Harrisburg, PA. He has extensive international travel experience in Europe and in South America. He traveled with Messiah students for a three-week cross-cultural trip to Greece in 2019 and to Turkey and Greece in 2022. Prof. Schmidt also served for years as a pastor in various Costa Rica.

Other Information:
Messiah-Turkey-Greece-2025 Brochure.pdf
Know before you go Turkey & Greece.pdf
Syllabus Turkey & Greece.pdf