Minecrafting Sacred Space
Before departing for Spain, sophomores in New Testament studies began acquainting themselves with Jesus' context in order to engage in Biblical historical-critical method later. We spent a few classes exploring the meaning of the word "sacred," listened to sound clips from present day sacred spaces in Jerusalem (see "Israel" tab, "Sounds of the Sacred" in drop-down menu), and then examined models of synagogues, Jerusalem in 1 CE, Herod's second Temple and its Chamber of the Hewn Stone. The boys then got to the workshop, recreating these spaces using Minecraft, describing their functions and attempting to put words to what makes the space "sacred" exactly. Students concluded by reflecting on how these sacred structures in Jesus' time compare to the spaces spaces existing in their own lives.
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Herod's Temple
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Ancient Synagogue
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Ryan Cotter
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Standard Home
in Palestinian Countryside
(circa 1 CE)
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