Origins of Christianity with Dr John Dickson

27 November - 6 December 2026

Duration
10
Departure
27 November 2026
Price from
$6,899

OVERVIEW

What really happened in first-century Galilee and Judaea? Join author and historian John Dickson on a journey throughout the length and breadth of modern Israel—from the Dead Sea to Lake Galilee, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean. We will investigate the key sites of Jesus’ life, explore his cultural background, separate fact from fiction, and piece together how a peasant preacher changed the course of history.

Rather than a spiritual pilgrimage, this tour is a historical and cultural adventure, complete with daily onsite lectures from Prof Dickson covering the Varieties of First-Century Judaism, the Social and Political Influence of Rome, Jesus the Healer, the Causes of his Death, How Christianity Spread, and much more. Find out more about John Dickson at www.johndickson.org

Prof John Dickson

John’s story is eclectic. Starting out as a professional singer-songwriter, he now works as an author, speaker, historian, and media presenter. He has published 20 books, two of which have become television documentaries, with a third (For the Love of God: How the Church is Better and Worse than you Ever Imagined) released in cinemas and on ABC TV in late 2018. He has taught a course on the Historical Jesus at the University of Sydney, Australia, and researches the origins of Christianity in the Roman empire. For 2017-19 he is also a Visiting Academic in the Faculty of Classics at Oxford University in the UK. John has served as Distinguished Fellow in Public Christianity at Ridley College Melbourne, and has recently been appointed as the inaugural Jean Kvamme Distinguished Chair in Biblical Evangelism & Distinguished Scholar in Public Christianity at Wheaton College, Illinois. His much loved podcast “Undeceptions” has reached over one million downloads! In all that he does, whether in the media or the church, creative or academic, he strives to be a public advocate for the Christian faith in doubting times. Having lost his father in an air disaster at 9, John is mindful of the sorrows and doubts of our world, and values his wife and three children above all other gifts of this life.

ITINERARY

If you are making your own flight arrangements, be checked in at the hotel in Jerusalem and ready to meet the group by 2.30pm in the hotel lobby.
Note it is Shabbat so hotel check in could be delayed.
Enjoy a pre-dinner lecture by Dr Dickson on ‘Jesus in Contemporary Scholarship’.

Hotel: Cassia Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

D
We explore the Jewish background of Jesus and his culture.

An early start, with a fantastic day trip today departing Jerusalem through the Judean wilderness to the fortress of Masada built by King Herod.
Continue to Qumran, the site of the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls in 1947 and home to an exclusive Jewish sect known as ‘Essenes’. We then travel to the Dead Sea for a swim and stop to enjoy the spectacular view from the Wadi Qelt, the famous road from Jericho to Jerusalem.
Return to Jerusalem for dinner. Lecture topic: ‘The Judaism(s) of Jesus’ Day’.

Hotel: Cassia Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
We set the scene for the birth of Jesus in the Roman World.

We set the scene for the birth of Jesus in the Roman World. Today we make an early start to visit the Dome of the Rock located at the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. We then visit the New City of Jerusalem at the Israel Museum where you can see the Dead Sea scrolls and an impressive model of Jerusalem as it was in the period just before its devastation by the Romans in AD 70. From here we will travel to Herodian, the city built by King Herod & where he was buried. Transfer back to the hotel.

Hotel: Cassia Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
This morning we check out of our hotel in Jerusalem and travel north to Nazareth. Continue to Nazareth Village, a working farm that replicates life as it was in the first century. An early first century style lunch before driving to Sepphoris, the ancient capital of Galilee and centre of Jewish learning.
Lecture onsite: “Galilee and the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry”.
Continue to Tiberias and check in to our hotel overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

Hotel: Sophia Hotel, Sea of Galilee

Included Meals:

B
L
D
We discover how radical Jesus’ message was to his fellow Galileans.

Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Galilee to Capernaum. Brief lecture on site: “Jesus among the healers of his day.”
Return to the hometown of Mary Magdalene and the site of recently discovered first century building including a synagogue (next door to our hotel)
Brief lecture onsite: “The women in Jesus’ life”.

Hotel: Sophia Hotel, Sea of Galilee

Included Meals:

B
D
This morning after breakfast and check out, we will visit Gamla (note good walking shoes needed), known as the Masada of the North. Here you will see an impressive first century synagogue and hear an onsite lecture: ‘Jesus and the Zealots’. Continue to Mt Arbel for a final look out over the Sea of Galilee before returning to Jerusalem.

Hotel: Cassia Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
A free day in Jerusalem to rest or just wander the Old City and enjoy some optional sites that your guide can suggest for you to see. These include Hezekiah's tunnel, the Western Walls tunnels, Ramparts Walk, City of David, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Garden Tomb or walk the Via Dolorosa and do the Stations of the Cross.

Hotel: Cassia Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
D
We explore the climatic events of Jesus’ life (and his demise). Sunrise at Mount of Olives gives you an exceptional overview of the Old City of Jerusalem. Return to the hotel for breakfast. We then visit the impressive Davidson Archaeological Park, located next to the Temple Mount. The Centre combines an exhibition of a rich archaeological content and computerized media, artefacts exhibitions, and an illustrated and visual exhibition following events spanning 5000 years from the Canaanite Age through to the First Temple period. Onsite Lecture: ‘The Causes of Jesus’ Arrest and Death’ Lunch in Old City followed by the afternoon free to explore the Old City. You can easily walk back to the hotel at your leisure (approximately 15 mins).

Hotel: Cassia Hotel, Jerusalem

Included Meals:

B
L
D
We walk the bridge from Jesus to Christianity.
An early morning visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with a lecture on “What can historians say about Jesus’ resurrection”? Return to the hotel for breakfast. Mid-morning, we drive to the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea Maritima, the port that the apostle Paul departed from on his missionary journeys. Enjoy lunch here (own expense) and a tour of the site.
Dr. Dickson will deliver a lecture onsite “How Christianity became a world religion’.
Our farewell dinner will be on the Rooftop at the Notre Dame Centre in Jerusalem. This will be a time of great celebration and reflection on all that we have experienced.

Hotel: Cassia Hotel, Jerusalem or similar

Included Meals:

B
D
Check out of the hotel after breakfast. We can store your luggage and there will be one transfer to Tel Aviv airport (TBC).

Included Meals:

B
After breakfast & check out in Jerusalem, we will travel to the Israel-Jordan border crossing for formalities before continuing on to Wadi Rum for an overnight desert camping experience.

Hotel: Wadi Rum Camp

Included Meals:

B
D
Breakfast in Wadi Rum Camp

Wadi Rum Visit - A moonscape of ancient valleys and towering weathered sandstone mountains rise out of the pink and white coloured sand. It was the place where the famous British Army Officer T.E. Lawrence, and Hollywood Producers are particularly drawn to it for science fiction films set on Mars like the famous Movie Martian (movie –set in Wadi Rum in 2015). You will visit the different aspects of the desert like the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Thamudic Inscriptions, Canyon, Sand Dunes. Extra activities can be done at extra cost and not included in the prices like Camel ride, Ballooning, Star gazing Experience, ATVs (18+ years only) along with the camping under Desert Camps (Like in Mars!)

Moses Springs - is one of two possible locations in Jordan for the site where Moses supposedly struck the rock with his staff and water gushed forth to the thirsty Israelites (the other possible site is near Mt Nebo). The spring still flows but is now housed within a simple modern three-domed building occasionally visited by local pilgrims. The site is located near the King's Way Hotel, at the main junction into Wadi Musa from the north.

Little Petra - also known as "Siq al-Barid" (Cold Canyon), 9km north of Petra visitors’ center, established and carved in the rock in the 01st century AD for cultic purposes and to be as a rest-place for the caravans of the traders’ road in which was not allowed to enter the "Holy City" of Petra! An open plaza, a Hostel carved in the rock, carved Temple and a cave house. Petra By Night 8.30-10.30pm - start your Petra experience with a visit of Petra Night Show, this event is a magical way to see part of the rock city by candlelight and explore the old city, which has become a world wonder, incomparable experience starts by walking the entire Siq to the Treasury, lit with over 1,500 candles to bring the major attraction due to the spectacular view it has.

Hotel: Old Village Hotel, Petra

Included Meals:

B
D
Petra visit - Known as the ‘Pink-Rose City’ or the “Lost City” is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. a breathtaking walking tour today through the ruins of ancient Petra – the city that the Nabateans carved out of solid rock dating back to 300 BC! special moments to walk through a passage the Siq, which dramatically opens up to reveal the Treasury Building (Al-Khazneh). We will see also the Roman Theatre, Corinthian tomb, Palace of Pharos’s Daughter, the Carved Roman Theatre and the Royal Courts, along with one of the oldest Cathedral of the Bishop high-chair.

Hotel: Old Village Hotel, Petra

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we farewell Petra and travel North along the Highs Highway to Madaba, where we visit the St. George Church & famous mosaic map. This major highlight portrays the old Holly Land with 2 million pieces of mosaic, a huge well -preserved work of art comprising a map of the entire region of Jordan and Palestine in the north, to Egypt in the south.

Continue to Mount Nebo - Moses Mountain, situated 10 kilometres west of Madaba, overlooking the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, West Bank and Jerusalem, where believed the alleged sites of the tomb of Moses. The major highlight is the Byzantine Church built by the 4th century to memorial Prophet Moses death, and the spot where Moses view the “Land of Canaan” the Holy Land that he would not enter.

Continue to our Dead Sea hotel for check in and overnight.

Hotel: Holiday Inn, Dead Sea


Included Meals:

B
D
Today we farewell Jordan with a transfer to the Amman airport, after breakfast.

Included Meals:

B

Highlights

  • Prof John Dickson as your expert leader with onsite lectures and insights
  • Learning about the different sects of Judaism
  • Travelling to Judeo sites to gain a greater understanding of where Christianity was birthed from
  • The tour is both for believers and skeptics – all are welcome
  • Air and tour or tour only options available

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TOUR INCLUDES

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Travel with
like-minded people

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Expert
Tour Leaders

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Option of land
only package

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Option of upgrading
to single room

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Meals

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Sights and entry
fees listed

OUR PRICING

Pricing
Pricing

Category Description Twin PP Single
Tour only Not including airfares or airport transfers AUD$6,899.00/USD$4550 AUD$10,275.00/USD$6550
Local Payment Give to tour leader on Day 1 of the tour USD$150 USD$150
Tour and Jordan extension AUD$9,670.00/USD$6349 AUD$13,850.00/USD$9049

Price is based on a min of 40 passengers for the Israel portion.

The optional Jordan extension is priced on a minimum of 14 passengers. Prof Dickson does not accompany the Jordan portion of the tour, but a Selah representative will.

Inclusions
Exclusions
Departure Date Booking
27 November 2026 BOOK NOW

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