Also, two things I wish I had when making these videos--a tripod and mic! So turn up your volume as loud as it can go and bear with the inevitable hand shaking that will occur. Enjoy! --Dr. Ramey
Turkey Trip May 2014
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Videos of Dr. Yeatts speaking on the seven churches from their city sites in Turkey
I'm putting the videos in the order that we visited the sites and not in their biblical order, but watch them in whichever order you wish.
Also, two things I wish I had when making these videos--a tripod and mic! So turn up your volume as loud as it can go and bear with the inevitable hand shaking that will occur. Enjoy! --Dr. Ramey
Also, two things I wish I had when making these videos--a tripod and mic! So turn up your volume as loud as it can go and bear with the inevitable hand shaking that will occur. Enjoy! --Dr. Ramey
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Universality of Human Traits
By Ali Williams
Now that we
are home from our three week trip to Turkey, I remember not only the
clear differences between American and Turkish culture, but also the
similarities. Whether a person is in their own neighborhood or halfway around
the world, certain traits are shared by all human beings worldwide. In my
social psychology class this spring, we discussed how certain human behaviors
are determined or at least strongly influenced by culture while others seem to
be universal. I saw examples of both of these in Turkey; behavior that is uniquely
Turkish that has allowed me to experience a culture very different from my own,
as well as behaviors that remind me that human beings are all more alike than
we are different. Biologist Stephen Jay Gould has stated that based on genetic
similarities there is really only one race, the human race.
Crowds of people in front of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. |
The main
cultural difference between Turkey
and the United States
is collectivism versus individualism. At a glance, it can appear that Americans
do not care enough about the collective good, or that Turkish culture does not
focus enough on the value of the individual. I have learned that both of these
concepts are simply characterizations, and that individualism and collectivism
are just two different ways of organizing cultural customs around universal
human needs. For example, everyone wants to be respected as an individual and
to have the ability to pursue their own goals to some extent, but at the same
time needs to have fellowship with other people. Our tour guide Cenk mentioned
that when purchasing an apartment in Turkey, it is essential to meet
your potential neighbors before making a decision. This is because in Turkey, neighbors become like family, which
tends not to be the case in the more individualistic United States. When having dinner
at my host family’s home, neighbors stopped by to give some of their dinner to
my host family. This prompted my host sister to say that in Turkey if someone makes a meal they
believe is good, they will share it with as many people as possible. Though
this is such a small detail, I thought to myself that it would be nice if
people in America
were equally others-focused. Sure enough, upon arriving home I heard that my
father had made soft pretzels for the neighbors and they in return gave us
strawberries from their garden. Even in individualistic America, the collective good still
matters. Likewise, individual freedom still is important in areas of Turkey, especially in more progressive cities
such as Izmir. My
host sister strongly valued the personal freedom that living in a secular
nation brings, and mentioned her thoughts about becoming independent from her
parents as a single woman. So whether one lives in an individualist or
collectivist culture, there is always a balance between taking care of others
and the need for independence.
Our collective group learning about Islam at the mosque in Istanbul. |
On multiple
occasions, I noticed Turkish people showing a considerable amount of
appreciation for my attempts at using the Turkish language. Many people would
say “Hi” to me and would look pleasantly surprised when I would respond with
“Merhaba”. Some people tested my knowledge of the Turkish language by asking me
“How are you?” in Turkish, to which I would usually respond “chok iyi”, or
“very good”. It was impressive to see how happy many Turkish people were to
hear an American attempting to speak their language. My analysis of this, is
that people want to feel that their culture and customs are important, and are
grateful when visitors respect that and attempt to join that country’s way of
life. It takes a certain amount of humility to try to speak another language
since we probably sound a bit silly sometimes and may not always make sense,
but it also is a subtle way to show people of another country that we care
enough to try. Just as many Americans appreciate when visitors give the English
language a try, just a simple “Merhaba” in a region full of tourists can mean a
lot to a native of Turkey.
Our group was always smiling with new friends and having fun. |
Finally,
people in Turkey
want the government to promote a system that respects their religious beliefs
or lack thereof, just like people from any nation in the world. The United States
had freedom of religion written into its Constitution, but how this is
actualized has been debated since the documents publication. Turkey faces similar questions of
how to run a secular nation which has a predominantly Muslim population. To
what extent should Islamic values affect law-making? Do people not ask similar
questions in the United
States, except with Christian values? The
desire to have freedom to worship in whatever way a person believes is right is
a trait that most human beings share. However, so is the tendency to mistrust
people who see the world differently than we do. As I walked through a museum
in Konya without a headscarf, I wondered if
anyone thought negatively of my character…but as I saw two women walk past my
home in Pennsylvania
wearing headscarves yesterday, I could not help but wonder what challenges they
have faced in this country while striving to remain devoted to their faith. Ultimately,
people everywhere just want others to have respect for their culture, values,
and beliefs and be a part of a community which welcomes them.
Ali in Cappadocia at the fairy chimney houses. |
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Türkiye: A Land where the Story runs deep
As I reflect on the experiences of the past three weeks, I realize that this trip has impacted me in profound ways. The opportunity to travel this amazing country with a great group of students and professors, led by both a fantastic tour guide and wonderful bus driver, has been simply phenomenal. The biblical significance of the historical sites, the culture of Turkey, and the beautiful landscapes and buildings have all captured my imagination. More than anything else, however, these have been avenues through which I have encountered something even more captivating – something that inspires, something that infuses not only my experiences in Turkey but also all of life with purpose and meaning, beauty, and joy.
Ancient ruins at Troas, looking out to the seas Paul and Luke sailed. |
The city of Ephesus, a center both for Roman culture and the early church. |
The nation of Turkey now only has a tiny minority of
Christians, but glimpses of God’s presence and character are not absent. Even in the culture and heritage of this
country, predominantly Muslim and in many places staunchly secular, I have seen
God at work. As many times as I have
read or sung about God working with our lives like a potter works with clay, I
have never appreciated the depth and beauty of that metaphor as much as I do now,
having seen a master at work in a pottery shop in Cappadocia.
He is one of many in his family who is continuing this craft, and he performs it with confidence and excellence, molding the clay in ways I would not have imagined possible. Sitting astride the potter’s wheel, red earth spattered across his work-worn clothes, his strong fingers coax beautiful lines and curves out of a shapeless mass, creating something wonderful and useful out of the mud. The clay seems to come to life at his touch, responding exactly as he desires it to and leaping into a new form to serve the function the master craftsman designed it for. Even when a less experienced artist tries his or her hand at the lump of earth on the wheel, the master knows exactly what kind of pressure to apply to correct any mistakes, and the lopsided or marred creation relaxes back into its proper shape. The earth receives life from the hands of one who knows it intimately and is eminently capable of creating beauty from the dust.
And the earth of Turkey does yield beauty. This country is an astounding display of life
and diversity. At the shores and islands
of Assos, where the water is astonishingly blue and crystal clear, the land and
sea exude an atmosphere of peace. The
beauty is almost overwhelming, but even a mere day’s travel away, you would
think you were in another world. The
calcium cliffs of Pamukkale, built up like glaciers over centuries from
mineral-rich underground springs, are a natural wonder unlike anything in the
world. The terraced deposits collect
pools of water from the hot springs trickling down from the mountains, a
multisensory and entirely unique spectacle against the background of the
beautiful mountains and hills. Travel a
few hours to the mountains and caves of Cappadocia, and you may question
whether you have perhaps found yourself on another planet. Not far from this rocky landscape lie shining
lakes surrounded by evergreens and villages hemmed in by mountains where the
clouds hang so low that it looks as though some sort of magical fog is
descending on the inhabitants.
Wherever you go in Turkey, there is beauty and memory to spare. At times it seems almost like a fantasy world, where the imagination of the author can bring about any conceivable landscape with an artistic flourish. The hope of early Christians, at times driven into caves underground, sometimes whispered, sometimes sung joyously, still resonates here, and sometimes it seems to break through with the disjointed notes of an ancient narrative.
Cappadocia |
Wherever you go in Turkey, there is beauty and memory to spare. At times it seems almost like a fantasy world, where the imagination of the author can bring about any conceivable landscape with an artistic flourish. The hope of early Christians, at times driven into caves underground, sometimes whispered, sometimes sung joyously, still resonates here, and sometimes it seems to break through with the disjointed notes of an ancient narrative.
The stories of the history, of the culture, and of the land of
Turkey itself all point to a greater story, one that tells of a God who created
all, sacrificed everything to redeem that Creation, and is working to bring it
back to wholeness. The people of this
land stood for their faith in Christ the Pantokrator, the Lord of All, opposed
by those who claimed Caesar as Lord.
They exhibited treasonous obedience and dangerous loyalty to the One who
embodied God’s kingdom, showed in His death and Resurrection the hope of new
life and resurrection for all in Him, and imparted His faithful presence by His
Spirit to empower these people, the Church, to witness to the victorious reign
of God.
Michael Huerter
Michael Huerter
Lessons that Matter
By Jessica McElligott
Introduction: I approached the
Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent with my own special brand of
bitterness. “Another pretty building,” I think.
“Great. Who in the world
cares? I am not Muslim nor will I have more
than brief contact with the people who worship here. Why does this mosque matter?”
Past: 500 years ago there was a
Christian Cappadocian family who had a son named Sinan, who was born in
1498. When Sinan was a boy he joined the
Ottoman army in Istanbul under Selim the Terrible. (Selim earned this title for killing his own
father to assume the throne. During his
reign he conquered Egypt in the 16th century and became the
Caliphate or leader of the Sunni sect of Islam.) While Sinan was serving in the army he made
bridges and eventually became the lead architect for the empire, serving four
sultans in his time.
We can learn from his loyalty.
Present: Looking up at the dome
shaped ceiling, all I can do is whisper “wow.”
Past: Sinan was awed by the
beauty of the Hagia Sophia. He desired
to make similar structures, but he actually started by making schools. When Suleiman the Magnificent, Salem the
Terrible’s son, succeeded his father, Sinan was afforded the opportunity to
build a large Mosque in the Sultan’s name.
(This, however, would not be the first Mosque Sinan built in
Istanbul. He built a smaller religious
structure dedicated to the groom of Suleiman’s daughter.) Suleiman ordered this Mosque so his wife
Roxalina and he could be buried in the garden next to its beauty. The Sultan also chose the location for this
Mosque, one of the seven hills of the old city of Istanbul. Unfortunately the soil at this spot was not
the greatest for building on, thus prolonging the completion of the Mosque
mainly to build the base. As a matter of
fact, Sinan started what was to become the largest Mosque in Istanbul in 1550,
and it was finally finished seven years later in 1557 even with thousands of workers (fifty-three to
fifty-six percent of these workers were Christian, by the way).
We can learn from their
perseverance.
This is the inside of the Hagia Sophia. It was once a Church, then a Mosque, and now a museum. |
Present: I meander across the
floor, admiring the large structure of domes and the vastness of the Sacred
Space. But I also relish in the small
things, the colors in the carpet, in the designs on the ceiling and walls. I can remember the last time I created something
from basic tools: crayons and a printout Disney princess. I recall coloring outside of the lines on
accident, and despite fierce internal debates, the colors on her still managed to
not quite match well. Nothing in the
Mosque was an accident; the details seem perfectly put together with care.
The outside of the Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque. It is still pretty intricate, but it does not hold a candle to the inside. |
Past: Once Suleiman the
Magnificent came to visit the Mosque while Sinan was still in the process of
construction. The Sultan found the
architect on the floor of the Mosque with no one working on the building. Sinan also did not appear to be doing any
work, as he was smoking a Nargile pipe (a.k.a. a hookah).
Understandably the Suleiman was a little upset by this. When pressed for an explanation, Sinan
replied that he was checking the acoustics, as the pipe tend to let out a
“bloop, bloop” noise. Furthermore, the
architect continued, and said something to the effect of, “there will be
candles in the Mosque when it is in use, and the pipe gives off smoke. I am tracking where the smoke goes so I can
ventilate the building properly.”
We can learn from their
craftsmanship.
Conclusion: There is nothing new under the sun. We can and must study the past unless we want
to toil for truths ourselves. So the
Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque might not mean anything to you or me. Maybe we will not be able to comprehend why
the building is important for those who pray there. The Mosque might not actually matter in
everyday American life. But the lessons
its history teaches do matter.
My Inner Struggle
As
our trip through Turkey comes to a close, I have had some time to reflect on
the multitude of things I have learned while living here and being immersed in
this society. Undoubtedly, I had
numerous preconceived ideas about the Turkish culture, religions, and people in
general. Although some of my views have
shifted throughout the duration of this trip, I have certainly been challenged
in ways I did not anticipate. So ...
Here are some of the thoughts that have been crossing my mind the past three
weeks, as well as some rambling about such thoughts. Bear with me as I try my
hardest to convey my challenges, convictions, and most importantly my learning
experiences.
Inside the Suleman the Magnificent Mosque |
Prior
to arriving in Istanbul, I learned briefly about the Turkish culture and history
from our trip meetings. However, I think
I was ignorant to the idea that I would be learning and experiencing far more
than I ever dreamed of simply by being here.
As a graduate of the Biblical Religious Studies department of Messiah, I
knew coming into this trip I would be challenged spiritually as I entered into a
country that is almost 100% Muslim. Yet, I do not think it fully sunk in until
we were walking through ancient Pergamum learning about the biblical context
when all of a sudden I heard the call to prayer from a nearby Mosque. As we all sat and listened to Dr. Yeatts read
the letter to Pergamum from the book of Revelation, Muslims were taking time to
pray. Five times during the day we can hear a call to prayer as we navigate
sites that have such rich Christian history.
It is a fascinating reality that biblical history is so prevalent in
Turkey, yet there is such a small population of Christians living here today.
Center of the Mosque where men are allowed to pray |
On
the other hand, I cannot point fingers at modern Turkish people because the
reality is that the nation was not founded on a particular religion. Much like America, Turkey, from what I have
observed, is more secular than I had originally anticipated. Before this trip my ignorant view of Turkey
was that it was an Islamic nation when in fact it truly is not. Although the majority of its populace identifies
as Muslim, it does not necessarily mean they are practicing this religion. In
fact, after speaking with my host mother about this topic, she informed me that
many people are afraid of the country becoming truly Islamic. Although Christianity is not popular and
there are very few churches in Turkey, Christians are still free to practice
their faith despite the societal norm.
In the same way, America was not genuinely founded as a “Christian”
nation, rather a place by which religious views of morality were instilled and
religious freedom was made a priority. Most
Americans would identify themselves as Christians, and yet how many of us can
without a doubt say that we are genuinely Christians? For many Americans, Christianity is more like
a nationality rather than a faithful relationship with Christ. Many people globally, in my opinion, see
America as a Christian nation, and yet I hardly think Americans understand what
that actually means… just some food for thought.
Outside of the Mosque |
Another
thing that has shaken my view of this country and its religious content was
visiting the Suleyman the
Magnificent Mosque in Istanbul today. To be honest, I had my hesitations of
entering the mosque, yet I was truly blown away after going inside. The entire
place was decorated in chandeliers, marble pillars, stained glass windows, and
beautiful Arabic characters. I have visited some incredible churches before,
but honestly it felt as though I was standing in a church in many ways. There
was a sense of peace in the place that I was at first unnerved by. Yet, as I
continued to observe those around me, I began to respect what was taking place.
Although these people were not worshipping in the same way I do as a Christian,
I could not help but have an appreciation for their religious dedication. I may
not have the same beliefs as those who surrounded me today, yet I was able to
finally recognize they too belong to a faith family who were there to outwardly
express their faith. As our time came to
an end, we met outside in the courtyard that was once clouded and rainy prior to
our entrance. Now, the sun was shining and warming the ground where we avoided
puddles, and I could not help but smile. This small weather change had shifted
in the same way my attitude and heart changed toward the Muslim religion. I may
not agree, but I certainly have a better respect for those I have been
surrounded by here in Turkey.
Chrissy in the epigraphy museum in Ephesus |
-Chrissy Brown
Sister Churches
The Hagia Irene and the Hagia Sophia are very similar to
each other. They were constructed around
the same time, and both competed to be the better church. Both churches have had a colored history being
repurposed, destroyed and remodeled over the years. These churches' names are also very
similar. The word “Hagia” means
“holy.” The word “Irene” means “peace,”
and “Sophia” means “wisdom.” These churches
are basically sisters, Holy Peace Church and Holy Wisdom Church.
The inside of the Hagia Irene. Note the simple interior. |
The Hagia Sophia, a popular tourist location |
Solomon you have been beaten |
When the Ottomans took over Constantinople, The Hagia Sophia was
converted into a mosque. From 1453-1934
the Hagia Sophia was a mosque. After the
Independence war, Turkey was considered a secular nation. Because of this, Christians living in Turkey
petitioned to the government that the Hagia Sophia be given back to the
Christians so that they may worship in their old church. Ataturk ruled that the Hagia Sophia be
converted into a museum instead to preserve it.
Like its sister the Hagia Irene played an important role in
the early church. The lesser known 5th
and 6th ecumenical councils were convened in the Hagia Sophia.
An ancient mosaic: Jesus is in the center, to the left is Mary and to the right is Saint John, the Baptist |
by Daniel Postema
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