Discovering the Counter-Cultural Jesus: Insights from the Holy Land and the Gospel of Mark

By Larry Selig

"Who do you say that I am?"

 

The question Jesus asked his disciples is more challenging than ever as cultural worldviews clash with traditional, faith-based beliefs.

 

In Discovering the Counter-Cultural Jesus, Dr. Larry Selig attempts to answer Jesus' question using the Gospel of Mark combined with his personal experiences gained through leading biblical study tours of the Holy Land. Through first-century evidence, he provides new insights and understanding about the counter-cultural Jesus, who he was, and why he came.

 

If you've taken a biblical study tour to the Holy Land, this book will bring back memories and provide additional insights on the life and miraculous ministry of Jesus. If you haven't visited Israel, you'll be able to experience the first century ministry of Jesus without leaving home.

 

Discovering the Counter-Cultural Jesus is a thought-provoking armchair tour of the area in Israel where Jesus walked, taught, performed miracles, and began a ministry followed by billions of people around the world today. It's beautifully illustrated with color photographs taken by Dr. Selig and many of the pilgrims who joined him on Holy Land tours over the years.

 

"Insights you cannot find anywhere else." ~ Bob Jamison, Founder, Adam's Quest and author of Steel Faithful

 

"Makes the powerful connection between the land of the Bible and biblical text about Jesus and his ministry come alive." ~ Peggy Dawson, EO Tours (retired)

 

"The next best thing to going on an actual tour of the Holy Land." ~ Harris Dvores, author of Faith, Prayer and Forgiveness

 

"See Jesus in a new light as the radically different counter-cultural Lamb of God sent into the world to save us because God loves us so." ~ The Rev. Lee Clark, Presbyterian Pastor (retired)

 

"This message of the kingdom was counter-cultural then, and still is." ~ The Rev. Jason P. Dunn, Mission Pastor

 

The Rev. Dr. Larry Selig is a Presbyterian pastor, a graduate of Dartmouth College and Princeton and Luther Theological Seminaries. For more than four decades, Dr. Selig has led groups of youth and adults on biblical study trips to the Holy Land. He is the author of 5 Prayers God Loves to Answer and Discovering Your Spiritual DNA.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Larry Selig
• Release date: Mar 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223811725

Book preview

Endorsements for Discovering the Counter-Cultural Jesus

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Dr. Larry Selig’s fresh new look at the ministry of Jesus seen in the Gospel of Mark provides tremendous spiritual insights and fills in many gaps I have struggled with in my Catholic faith journey to more fully understand and follow Jesus. The book presents convincing evidence from Holy Land tours and detailed analysis of scripture about what Jesus did, where and when he chose to do what he did, and laid out in a meaningful and effective chronological order the events leading to his crucifixion and resurrection. The book unlocked for me the totality of how Jesus ministered, selecting specific locations to minister in order to confront and defeat Satan. I learned that his miracles had a definite context in location to confront wrong thoughts and behaviors of Jewish leaders as well as to lead and train the apostles to spread the gospel after his resurrection. It is a book I highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about the beauty and mystery of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Gregory A. Adams, Colonel, US Army (retired)

Larry’s knowledge and love for the land of the Bible made the pilgrimages my husband and I took with him especially meaningful. His expertise flows throughout his book. Each page took me back to specific places and experiences on our trips. His style and content make it easy to read and understand. For those who have been to Israel, the book enriches the experience. Anyone who has not been there will expand their understanding of the Bible and glimpse into the Israel and the life-changing ministry of Jesus which drew loyal followers to him but confronted and angered the established religious leaders of his day.

Rebecca Carpenter, author of

Ambushed by Glory and Hope in Isolation

As you turn the pages of Dr. Larry Selig’s wonderful new book exploring the counter-cultural life and ministry of Jesus recorded in Mark’s Gospel, you feel like you are there with Jesus. Is that not the point of reading the gospels? You are there on the Mount of Temptation seeing Jesus fend off Satan’s attempts to derail his mission to redeem the world. You are at the Jordan as John the Baptist points his own disciples to the Lamb of God. Having joined Larry on two of his tours to the Holy Land and hosted several of my own, I know of no one who does a better job turning a trip into a behind-the-scenes pilgrimage with Christ. This book brings insights you cannot find anywhere else, whether you are a veteran traveler to the Holy Land or you have never picked up a copy of the book of Mark.  

Bob Jamison, Founder and President,

Adam’s Quest, Pittsburgh, author of Steel Faithful

Reading this book about the counter-cultural ministry of Jesus by Dr. Larry Selig is the next best thing to going on an actual tour of the Holy Land with him. His personal anecdotes and pictures are sure to deepen your understanding of, and identification with, this ministry of Jesus, as described in the gospel of Mark.

Harris Dvores, author, Faith, Prayer, and Forgiveness

Working with Educational Opportunities Tours, I have been to the Holy Land numerous times. However, each time that I have had the privilege to tour with Dr. Selig, I have found his trips to reflect a spiritual depth of knowledge that makes the powerful connection between the Land of the Bible and Biblical text about Jesus and his counter-cultural ministry come alive. Truly a gifted and compelling communicator, Dr. Selig shares his heart and knowledge with his special brand of uncompromised spirit-led passion.

Peggy Dawson, Educational Opportunities Tours (retired)

This book illuminates two critical aspects of Jesus Christ. He is very much a real historical figure highlighted by Dr. Selig’s deep analysis of the land where Jesus’ feet trod. Furthermore, Jesus was incredibly counter-cultural not only in the time that he lived but in every culture that existed before or since. This book brings to life who Jesus was as he walked the earth, who he is now, and who he calls us to be in this modern age. 

Jack Casturo, Bucknell University ’24

Having joined Larry on four of his pilgrimages to Israel beginning in the late 90s, the reality of what is The Fifth Gospel, the land itself plus the weather, culture, history, and presence of the Holy Spirit came alive in his book. As I read, I experienced again the refreshing breadth of clear Biblical information and research enabling me to revisit the Holy Land and the unique and powerful ministry of Jesus without leaving home. Filled with accurate first century historical background, very significantly are Larry’s personal reflections on how people experienced the counter-cultural Jesus and how he impacted many lives in such challenging ways. I encourage you to join Larry in a journey to the Holy Land through the pages of the book, and experience the real Jesus.

The Rev. Frank Kinney, Presbyterian Pastor (retired)

Larry Selig’s book is a wonderful pilgrim journey through the Holy Land via his personal tours. He takes you through the Gospel of Mark, following the footsteps of Jesus, sharing how he impacted many lives, using actual experiences, scriptural references, research background, and interesting details about a Jesus many have not understood. I was privileged to join two tours with Larry and can attest to the power of the Holy Land experience. Who knows? You may be next!

Sallie Kinney, elementary teacher (retired)

(Editor’s note: Frank and Sallie were one of three couples who met on the same tour and were married within a year. When word got around, Larry insisted that these were not Love Boat tours.)

When I walked with Larry Selig and other pilgrims through Israel, I experienced places that I had only read about in the Bible. Jesus’ footsteps were everywhere. In Larry’s book, you can now visit where Jesus ministered, including Nazareth, Capernaum, the site of the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes, the Sea of Galilee by boat, the Jordan River where we experienced renewing our baptisms, and in Jerusalem with the Temple Mount, Garden of Gethsemane, prison cell of Caiaphas and courtyard of Pilate where Jesus was tried, the Via Dolorosa, the tomb where he was buried and rose again in a garden where we celebrated communion, and many other special places. I was overwhelmed, reliving my experiences of seeing Jesus through first centuries eyes. We see a different Jesus than many expect after our Israel tour, or when reading Larry’s book alongside the words of Mark’s Gospel. Yes, it became real that Jesus was God’s sacrificial lamb who frees us from sin and gives us opportunity to follow him today by our words and actions.

Bill Stone, civil engineer (retired)

My wife Barbara and I toured the Holy Land with Larry in 2013 after forty years of ordained ministry. So many pieces fell into place and perspective for us. In the book, Larry brings back many memories from this pilgrimage tour. But one special one for us was that one day while we were on tour, our son was running in the Boston Marathon. While visiting the Syrian border overlooking the road to Damascus that day, we got word of the Boston bombing. Immediately, the entire group gathered around us to pray for our son’s safety and that of others involved. When we finally got through to him by cell phone, he had finished the race in good time, and was eating a hamburger in a restaurant that was becoming the crisis command center. With all the bad news coming to the USA about the dangers in the Middle East, here we were on the peaceful Syrian border, while our son was in that bombing area of Boston! For many reasons, this book by Larry is a gift and treasure for us. And it can also be for all who may never actually walk in the earthen footsteps of Jesus in Israel. With fresh insights and the presence of God’s Holy Spirit, this book can introduce a different counter-cultural Jesus as seen through first century eyes.

The Rt. Reverend Carl Buffington, Anglican Bishop (retired)

Dr. Selig’s latest book, Discovering the Counter-Cultural Jesus, brings to life the scriptural accounts of Jesus’ ministry while on earth. Larry’s many trips to the Holy Land, as well as extensive biblical knowledge, adds so much supporting evidence throughout the book. As someone who led a pilgrimage to Israel, I found myself reliving our journey based on the vivid imagery provided by Dr. Selig as he takes you where Jesus walked and performed many of his miracles. Not only will this book serve as a useful commentary on the Gospel of Mark but will leave you longing to experience the Holy Land for yourself. As you parse the pages of the book, you will undoubtedly grow in your knowledge of the Bible as you experience a deeper and more intimate love for the Lord.

The Rev. Kevin Matlock, Minister of

Pastoral Care and Senior Adults

Dr. Larry Selig has a tremendous understanding of the Holy Land, but more important is his knowledge, understanding, and wisdom in the intersection of the Holy Land with the person of Jesus. Jesus’ first words in the Gospel of Mark are about the time being fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. It was clearly a counter-cultural message during the height of the Roman occupation. Larry pulls out from the text of Mark and the text of the land how that kingdom was established in the person of Jesus and his ministry. This message of the kingdom was counter-cultural then, and still is, calling all those who would listen, repent, and believe in the one true Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Rev. Jason P. Dunn, Mission Pastor

Reading this book filled with pictures of the Holy Land, I recall the many blessings my wife and I received from our visit to Israel with Dr. Selig in 1998. For those who have not yet been to the Holy Land, if possible, put it on your bucket list. In the meantime, read this book! It will make the Bible come alive for you in amazing ways. Allow your mind to be inspired by the ministry of Jesus. See him in a new light as the radically different counter-cultural Lamb of God sent into the world to save us because God loves us so.

The Rev. Lee Clark, Presbyterian Pastor (retired)

Contents

Endorsements for Discovering the Counter-Cultural Jesus

Contents

Dedication

My Life-Changing Pilgrimages to the Holy Land

Introduction to Mark and His Gospel

The Amazing Holy Land

The Evangelical Triangle in Galilee

Chapter 1

John the Baptist, Jesus’ Baptism, Temptation, and Initial Ministry

When light and darkness meet, sparks fly

Jesus returns to the Galilee

Moving to Capernaum and selecting his disciples

Training of disciples: Jesus institutes a new method

First sermon in Capernaum

Chapter 2

At Home in Capernaum

Some teachers of the law were thinking, He’s blaspheming!

My personal experience

Tax collectors and sinners

Jesus and the legal beagles battle over the law

Chapter 3

The Battle at the Capernaum Synagogue

The rapid growth of Jesus’ ministry

Jesus selects and commissions his disciples

The unforgivable sin

Jesus’ mother and brothers

Chapter 4

Jesus Taught in Parables

Going to the other side

Chapter 5

The Miracle of Deliverance

Jesus sends the man home

Jesus heals a child and a chronically ill woman

Chapter 6

A Prophet Without Honor

The disciples are commissioned for ministry

The death of John the Baptist

The disciples return to debrief and rest

The feeding of the five thousand

Peter attempts to walk on the water to Jesus

Placing ourselves with Peter in the story

Chapter 7

Jesus the Law Breaker

Jesus reaches out to Gentiles

Returning to the Decapolis, the Gentile other side

Chapter 8

The Feeding of the Gentiles

Fishing on the Sea of Galilee

Comparing the two feeding miracles with multitudes

Healing of the blind man at Bethsaida

A strange place for an important lesson

The Canaanite worship of Baal

The Greek worship of Pan

The Roman worship of Caesar

Why did Jesus bring them here?

Were more than just twelve disciples with Jesus at Caesarea Philippi?

Chapter 9

The Gathering of Jesus with Moses and Elijah

Moses with Jesus

Elijah was present

Leadership: power or serving

Chapter 10

Jesus Takes His Final Trip to Jerusalem

Confronted by Pharisees over the matter of divorce

Jesus’ love for children

The cost of discipleship

How eager are we to follow Jesus?

The disciples still did not understand

Healings take place in Jericho

The critical decision about to be made

What happened to Lazarus?

Chapter 11

The Beginning of Holy Week

Palm Sunday

Jesus wept

Chapter 12

Tuesday Teaching in the Temple Outer Courtyard

The parable of the tenants, Mark 12:1-12:

Paying the imperial tax to Caesar: Mark 12:13-17

The Sadducees put Jesus to the test

The greatest commandment

Warning against the teachers of the law

Chapter 13

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

Chapter 14

The Lord’s Supper, Gethsemane, Arrest and Trial

Departing for the Garden of Gethsemane

The prison cell for Jesus

Peter’s denials

Jesus visits the disciples in the Upper Room

Back to the future

The healing and restoration of Peter

Chapter 15

The Trial, Via Dolorosa, Crucifixion, and Burial

Game of kings

Women at the cross

Chapter 16

The Resurrection

Chapter 17

Easter is Just the Beginning

The post-resurrection appearances

Peter’s fishing trip

The ascension of Jesus

The Holy Spirit comes upon and within

Pentecost and the empowering of the Holy Spirit

Yes, Easter is just the beginning

Appendix

Women Disciples of Jesus, Then and Now

Joanna of Sepphoris

The Roman theater in Sepphoris

Mary of Magdala

Mary of Bethany

The spiritual DNA of women

Acknowledgements

About Larry Selig

Books by The Rev. Dr. Larry Selig

Dedication

Visiting the Holy Land with a group would be challenging and expensive without the assistance of a reliable travel agency and dedicated staff in both the departure country and on the ground in Israel. That is exactly what I needed and received from The Rev. Dr. Jim Ridgway, who in 1975 was putting together a Christian travel agency for church groups wishing to visit the Holy Land. His goal was to enable a reasonably priced, biblically centered, and educationally enriched tour. When Dr. Ridgeway visited our church in Minnesota and shared this vision for his Educational Opportunities Holy Land Tours (EO), I registered in 1976 as one of the early pastors to travel with EO.

This book is dedicated with grateful appreciation to the memory of Dr. Ridgway, for making my forty-two years of Holy Land tours possible. His personal assistance and capable staff, both in the US and Israel, gave me the opportunity to design custom tours and lecture to tour groups coming to the Galilee and Jerusalem. These Holy Land visits became both spiritually enriching, and educationally enlightening, personally and to the six hundred or more passengers who have traveled with me. Upon his retirement in 1999, Dr. Ridgway’s legacy continued through his son, James Ridgway.

I am grateful for Dr. Ridgway, whose vision and guidance enabled thousands to visit