Intentional Discipleship, Renewed Daily
Christians are called to be intentional disciples who make a conscious decision ...
Christians are called to be intentional disciples who make a conscious decision ...
Dr. Italy, in this 14 minute podcast, discusses the central and constant role pi...
The famous parable of the Good Samaritan shows that mercy and compassion are not always convenient, and that love of neighbor can't be limited to thos...
The story of the visit of Jesus to the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany raises questions about hospitality, service, prayer, action and contemplatio...
Luke's story of Mary and Martha of Bethany, sisters of Lazarus, teaches us about hospitality, service, action and contemplation, and distraction in pu...
Isn’t Advent great? Welcome to the season where the only song we sing for four weeks is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! It’s the best! Advent is...
28 November, 2016Most Americans tend to think of religion as something rather fluid. It’s very common for us to say things like “all religions are basicall...
12 February, 20166 minute podcast providing an overview of the strategic and spiritual importance of Jerusalem, and why it is called the city of David.
David, Israel’s greatest king, was born in Bethlehem. It is in some places called the city of David, though it was, in the time of David and Jesus, only a small town of a few hundred people.
Jerusalem, on the other hand was, when David was born, a pagan city. It had never been conquered by Joshua and the Israelites when they entered the land. It was a fortified, hilltop citadel, surrounded by steep valleys. When David first became king, he was only recognized by the southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin. His capital was initially at Hebron, in the territory of Judah. When the ten northern tribes also accepted David as king seven years later, David realized that he needed a new capital between the two southern and the ten Northern tribal territory, a new center belonging to no one which could ultimately be acknowledged therefore by everyone.
So he attacked the pagan stronghold of Jerusalem and made it the new political capital. When, dancing before the Ark of the Covanent, David led the ark into the city, he made Jerusalem Israel’s spiritual capital as well.
Image by Marcellino D’Ambrosio. All rights reserved.
Image by Marcellino D’Ambrosio. All rights reserved.
Image by David Twellman. Used with permission.
Ultimately, the only place sacrifice could be offered in the entire land was Jerusalem. The three great annual feasts had to be celebrated there, so Jesus throughout his life made multiple trips of over 100 miles one way to the City of David. In the last of these trips, Jesus wrought the world’s redemption here, making it ground zero of the entire history of salvation. This podcast explains why Jerusalem is indeed the center of the earth!
From a colorful and varied background as a professor of theology, a father of five, business owner, and professional performer Marcellino D’Ambrosio (aka “Dr. Italy”) crafts talks, blog posts, books, and videos that are always fascinating, practical, and easy to understand. He is a popular speaker, TV and radio personality, New York Times best-selling author, and pilgrimage host who has been leading people on a journey of discovery for over thirty years. For a fuller bio and video, visit the Dr. Italy page. For a full Curriculum Vitae (CV) of Dr. Italy, click here.
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