by Rodney Aist (Author)
A pilgrim spirituality for Holy Land travel, Jerusalem Bound resources the Christian traveler with biblical, historical, and contemporary images of the pilgrim life. Integrating historical sources, on-the-ground experience, and the voices of global pilgrims, Jerusalem Bound presents a fresh approach to pilgrimage, explores pilgrim identity and the Holy Land experience, offers ideas for Holy Land travel, and encourages pilgrims to focus upon the Other as much as themselves. Unique among Holy Land resources, Jerusalem Bound discusses material that is seldom addressed on a Holy Land journey: the motives of Holy Land pilgrims, the history of the Christian Holy Land, understanding the holy sites, pilgrim practices, material objects, and the challenges of Holy Land pilgrimage. Emphasizing the incarnational nature of lived experience, the book encourages pilgrims to derive meaning in both the highs and lows of religious travel. Attentive to the transformational nature of pilgrimage, Jerusalem Bound is ultimately interested in Christian formation and the aftermath of the Holy Land journey.
Author Biography
Rodney Aist is a Holy Land scholar, with a specialty in pre-Crusader pilgrimage. A former course director at St. George's College, Jerusalem, he has taught and guided pilgrim courses for lay and clergy from around the world. A Methodist clergyperson with expertise in ecumenical, culturally diverse ministry, Rodney has served congregations and Christian communities in Arkansas, Scotland, Italy, Jerusalem, and the Navajo Nation. He directs a DMin in pilgrimage at Drew Theological School.