In Search of Paul
April 11 – April 27, 2023
Registration for 2023 is closed. Questions? Contact LEAD.
The Rev. Dr. Don Carlson and The Rev. Travis Meier are the co-hosts for LEAD’s 2023 study pilgrimage for rostered leaders and inquiring disciples.
Contact [email protected]g with questions.
This trip is open to anyone over the age of 18 who is serious about studying scripture and growing their understanding of the first-century Christian movement. Registration closes November 5, 2022. Preparation is required.
Contemporary scholars often describe four “Pauls”:
- The Paul of the autograph letters: Philemon, 1 Thessalonians, Philippians, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, and Romans.
- The “Paul” of the pastorals: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.
- The “Paul” of Ephesians, Colossians, and 2 Thessalonians.
- The “traditional Paul” of Acts.
Lutherans and other churches of the Reformation may also have a “fifth Paul”: the “Paul” of the 16th century.
How did Paul understand justice, righteousness, salvation, faith, law, and gospel as he wrote to diverse urban people living in a society dominated by patronage and Roman Imperial Theology? What does his 1st century gospel mean in a 21st century context?
These are some of the questions we will explore as we travel through the world of the early church focusing on Paul’s autograph letters.
Tuesday, April 11th
Fly out of Houston or other Turkish Airlines hub; direct flight to Istanbul. Tutku Tours can arrange departures by other carriers.
Wednesday, April 12th
Arrive in Istanbul, meet our guide for Turkey, Cenk Eronat, and travel to our hotel. Dinner together in the hotel dining room overlooking the “old city” of Istanbul.
Thursday, April 13th
We start at Istanbul where we glimpse the “imperial church” of the early 4th century under Constantine. We visit the hippodrome, archeological museums, Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene, and the Topkapi Palace.
Friday, April 14th – Orthodox Good Friday
We depart early for the Greek border, meet our guide for Greece, Voula Kalapoda, and then travel to Philippi. We visit the traditional river site where Paul met Lydia and see the magnificent baptistery built there. At the river we discuss Paul’s letter to Philemon and its patronage subtext. 1st century city life then emerges in the ruins of ancient Philippi. Overnight in Kavala, modern Neapolis; experiencing the Orthodox Epitaphos before turning in.
Saturday, April 15th
We get another glimpse of the Via Egnatia that Paul walked from Neapolis to Philippi, then on to Thessloniki where we see the Roman forum, the arch and mausoleum of Galerius, and the archeological museum. We stop at the tomb of Phillip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, to appreciate the roots of imperial theology. Overnight at Kalambaka/Meteora; at midnight, the church square will fill with people, candles, and pealing bells as the resurrection is announced.
Sunday, April 16th – Orthodox Easter
Visit Varlaam Monastery, built 1541, high atop the rocks of Meteora; reflecting upon the medieval theological worldview of its art. After visiting Varlaam Monastery, we have a traditional Easter meal; discussing Philippians in the afternoon.
Monday, April 17th
We stop at a studio where icons are hand painted and can be purchased, then go Delphi to explore the cult of Apollo. After visiting the archeological museum, we overnight in Delphi; taking a look at 1 Thessalonians and Paul’s understanding of Christ’s return.
Tuesday, April 18th
In Athens, we visit the Areopagus where Paul delivered his sermon about “an unknown God” and then climb the acropolis to see the temples of Athena, Nike, Poseidon, and Augustus. There will then be free time to visit the new archeological museum or to have a leisurely meal “al fresco”.
Wednesday, April 19th
We visit the site of ancient Corinth with its excellent ruins and museum. While on the grounds, seated in view of the Temple of Apollo and the ancient meat market (1 Cor. 8), we discuss 1st Corinthians. After lunch we head for the port of Athens, say “Goodbye” to Voula Kalapoda, and board our 7:00 PM ferry to Patmos. Good dining aboard and cabins with clean linens and bath. Arrive in Patmos about 3:00 AM, walk a short distance to our hotel, and go back to bed!
Thursday, April 20th
Still in Greece, we will visit the traditional “Cave of St. John”, reflect upon the imperial context of Revelation, and then visit the Monastery of St. John. Lunch will be by the seaport and then we take a 4-hour boat ride to the Turkish port of Kusadasi – discussing Romans on the way. At Kusadasi we meet up again with Cenk Eronat and go to our hotel.
Friday, April 21st
The ancient city of Ephesus gives the most impressive glimpse of 1st century urban life. The Library of Celsus, Temple of Artemis (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) Temple of Hadrian, Temple of Domitian, and the “terrace houses” are but a few of the restorations. After a “1st century lunch” we will visit a local “cottage industry” store to see how Turkish carpets are made; and an opportunity to purchase carpets!
Saturday, April 22nd
Leaving Kusadasi, we will see the magnificent Temple of Apollo at Didyma, Asian counterpart to Delphi – complete with oracle. Then on to Aphrodisias with the Temple of Aphrodite, the Sebasteion (the best eample of Roman imperial theology), monumental gateway, stadium, and museum—where “the god fearers” are mentioned. Overnight at a relaxing thermal spa hotel at Pamukkale.
Sunday, April 23rd
At Hierapolis we see the tomb of Philip the Apostle and the thermal springs, then journey to Laodicea with its many newly excavated and restored ruins; including a magnificent 4th century church. After a brief stop at Sardis and its restored gymnasium and synagogue, we will arrive at Izmir (ancient Smyrna) and have dinner on the waterfront.
Monday, April 24th
We head for the acropolis of Pergamum with its great theater and temples to Athena, Zeus, and Trajan; then visit the Asclepion, a center of healing where the great physician Galen practiced. Overnight at the picturesque seaport of Assos.
Tuesday, April 25th
After climbing the acropolis of Assos – Turkish coffee on the climb – that has a temple to Athena dating from 530 BCE, we head north to Alexander-Troas (Acts 20). Then on to Troy; founded 3000-2600 BCE. We overnight in Canakkale, discussing Galatians before turning in.
Wednesday, April 26th
We cross the Dardanelles by car ferry and drive through the area where the Battle of Gallipoli was fought in WWI. Arriving back in Istanbul, we visit the Spice Market before going to the hotel to enjoy our farewell dinner.
Thursday, April 27th
After a leisurely morning and breakfast, we leave for the airport for our fights; chasing the sun back to our home destinations. Welcome home!
PLEASE NOTE
- While many sites are visited, this is not primarily a “sight-seeing” tour. It is a continuing education emersion in which participants, through personal reflection and mutual conversation, seek to grow in their understanding of Paul, his theology, and the context of the 1st century church. The program assumes sharing and participation.
- The many archeological sites visited may have uneven footing, ramps, stairs, changes in elevation, and are certainly not ADA compliant. Some days may require 5000 – 10,000 footsteps. Almost 100 people of diverse ages (see pictures) have participated, but please inquire if you have concerns, questions, or mobility issues.
- We will travel over 1500 scenic miles by bus, ferry, and water taxi.
- Minor changes to the itinerary may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.
Print-ready In Search of Paul 2023 Brochure
Print-ready Travel Guide 2023
2023 Cost: $4,390
Registration for 2023 is closed.
Questions? Contact LEAD.
per person, double occupancy room
(For single occupancy room, add $990)
This includes:
- Roundtrip airfare between any Turkish airline hub in the United States and Istanbul
- 9 nights at 3-4 star hotels in Turkey
- 5 nights at 3 star hotels in Greece
- 1 night on overnight ferry from Athens to Patmos
- Daily breakfast and 15 dinners
- Transportation by private bus with A/C
- English-speaking, Bible-oriented, professional tour guides throughout the pilgrimage
- All entry fees to sites and museums
- All tips for hotels and restaurant staff
- All tips to tour guides and drivers
- All service charges and local taxes
It does not include:
- Turkish Visa fee ($50 per US citizen, obtained electronically before departure from USA)
- Lunches and beverages
- Personal discretionary expenses, shopping
I knew Paul and Empire in my head, but to travel the roads he walked brought a new depth and nuance to my understanding. Now I can more competently and confidently connect our tradition of church and culture in my preaching, teaching, and advocacy.
To see, touch, read, and feel the archaeological findings in each site we visited, introduced me to the Paul I never knew. It was a transforming experience to understand the first century and begin to grasp what that means for teaching and preaching Pauline letters in the twenty first century.
“In Search of Paul” was a wonderful experience that enabled me to see with my own eyes the places where Paul traveled and the context of the communities he created. I came away from this trip with a much greater understanding of his letters and would highly recommend this learning opportunity to anyone.
The opportunity to travel with LEAD “In Search of Paul” was life changing for me, and experiencing the cities in Greece and Turkey where Paul shared the Jesus movement was captivating. Many empires fell and turned into ruins, but the powerful Jesus movement lives on!