Wheaton in the Holy Lands

Experience the land of the Bible where Jesus taught and ministered and follow in the footsteps of Paul as he helped the early church to take root.

Program Overview

Wheaton in the Holy Lands 2024 is a study of the New Testament, Christian theology and historical geography through on-site lecture/instruction in Israel, Greece, Turkey and Rome. Students engage with issues of the theological development of the Church through the centuries, its historic faith expressions, and dialogue with other faith traditions. The six-week program offers students the experience of a lifetime, exploring the Holy Lands under the guidance and instruction of Wheaton professors and local experts.

The Wheaton faculty for WIHL will provide biblical, historical, and theological lectures to help students engage more fully with the life and times of Jesus and the Apostles in Israel, and Paul and the early church in Greece and Rome. In addition, supplementary lectures on ancient historical, cultural, and geographical backgrounds will be provided by faculty and local guides of Jerusalem University College in Israel and Hellenic Scripture Union in Europe. Students will engage with historic Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant expressions of the Christian faith, as well as enter into dialogue with Jews and Muslims, and how these traditions have been preserved and developed throughout history.

Program offering is subject to internal approval, minimum enrollment, and ongoing evaluation of local conditions, including enhanced health and safety reviews.

Course Offerings for 2024

Wheaton in the Holy Lands students earn a total of 8 credit hours, registering for two of the following courses:

BITH 317: New Testament in the Holy Lands (4 credit hrs.) 
A study of the New Testament integrated with field studies designed to introduce the student to the historical, geographical, cultural, and religious settings of the New Testament in locations where the events recorded occurred and the writings were composed.

BITH 318: Christian Theology in the Holy Lands (4 credit hrs.) 
An exploration of the core beliefs of the Christian faith with special emphasis on the role of the ancient church in its historical contexts in the development of Christian thought and practice. (BITH majors may substitute BITH 318 for Systematic Theology.)

BITH 317/318 may be used to satisfy the Shared Core requirements in New Testament and Christian Thought.

BITH 333: Historical Geography and Context in the Holy Lands (4 credit hrs.) 
A survey of the geographical, historical, religious and archaeological material of biblical Israel and Second Temple Judaism as well as the earliest Christian communities in the Greco-Roman world. Classroom lectures are supplemented by regional studies with overnight field studies, on-site lectures and relevant preparation (map work, biblical readings, etc.). Meets the HP (Historical Perspectives) thematic core requirement.

BITH 417: New Testament and Context in the Holy Lands (4 credit hrs.)
A study of the New Testament in the geographical, historical, religious, and archaeological context of Israel at the time of Christ and the Greco-Roman world of Paul and the early church. Classroom lectures are supplemented by regional studies with overnight field studies, on-site lectures and relevant preparation (map work, biblical readings, etc.).

BITH 418: Christian Theology and Context in the Holy Lands (4 credit hrs.)
A study of Christian theology in the geographical, historical, religious, and archaeological context of Israel at the time of Christ and the Greco-Roman world of Paul and the early church.  Classroom lectures are supplemented by regional studies with overnight field studies, on-site lectures and relevant preparation (map work, biblical readings, etc.).

BITH 333, 417 and 418 can serve as electives for BITH majors/minors.

For Program Year Specific Information and Instructions on How to Apply

Visit GoGlobal, Wheaton College's registration system for off-campus study and international travel, research, and internships.

Learn More

If you would like further information or have questions about Wheaton in the Holy Lands, please contact Dr. George Kalantzis, Program Director for Wheaton in the Holy Lands, or WIHL@wheaton.edu

The Wheaton in the Holy Lands program has a 50+ year long-standing tradition as a cornerstone experience, especially for those students majoring in Biblical and Theological Studies.  That said, Wheaton in the Holy Lands alumni represent almost every major offered on Wheaton's campus. 

Wheaton in the Holy Lands