Excerpts from many of Dr. Terry Hulbert's excellent articles
found in Walking in Their Sandals CD-ROM

Jesus’ Birth
by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert

Jesus was not born in a manger or in a stable, as we know it, but very probably in the home of a member of Joseph's extended family that lived in Bethlehem. Common misconceptions of the circumstances of His birth have resulted from a mistranslation of kataluma that means "guest room," (Mark 14:14) not "inn," and from a Western rather than a Middle Eastern understanding of the cultural factors involved.

The Star of the Magi
by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert

What was the star that guided the " wise men" from the east? Theories and conjectures abound to explain the "star" that drew them to Bethlehem. How do we account for the fact that influential and highly placed "king-makers" would notice an astral phenomenon that would motivate them to trek 700 miles to pay homage to a Jewish baby in a small town in Israel? Would an ordinary star or even an unusual conjunction of planets have sent these scholars, who knew the courses of stars and planets, on that long journey to Jerusalem to find a king? In any case, why would they want to see a Jewish king baby?

Was John the Baptist Elijah?
by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert

The Pharisees and priests asked John the Baptist a logical question, "Are you Elijah?" He dressed like that prophet and he preached judgment near the very place where God had swept him up to heaven. Although John denied that he was the one Malachi had promised (4:5,6), many still wondered. For instance, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James and John had seen Elijah. As they returned from that scene, they wrestled with the fact that it was John who had introduced Jesus, and that Elijah had not yet appeared. "Why do the scribes say Elijah must come first" they wondered.

A Samaritan Woman At Jacob’s Well
by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert

Why did Jesus enter Samaria traveling a "road less traveled" by Jews? To offer "the water of life" to a lonely woman at a well? Yes, but He was also teaching His disciples an introductory course in cross-cultural evangelism. They watched Him conversing with Samaritans as comfortably as He talked with Jews living and eating with them. He was demonstrating to them that His salvation would be for Samaritans and Gentiles as well as Jews.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert

The Beelzebub confrontation at Capernaum led to a change in the focus of Jesus? ministry. Following this event, He began a transition from preaching to large crowds and performing miracles as evidence of His deity, to preparing His disciples for their future roles as leaders in the Church. Although He continued to teach and to perform some miracles, He usually related these directly, or indirectly, to His training of the Twelve. Their distributing the bread and fish to this vast crowd, for instance, previewed the disciples' future role; delivering the "Bread of Life."

The Crucifixion
by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert

Jesus' followers assumed that His crucifixion would be the end of His ministry and their hope of a kingdom. Understanding little of the theological implications of this awful event, for them, the death of their beloved Messiah was primarily a personal tragedy. For the religious establishment, it was relief from their perceived rival; for the Roman soldiers, it was one more execution assignment; for God it made the full payment for human sin; the basis for restored fellowship with the sinners He loved.

Jesus’ Burial
by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert

Primary attention is usually focused on Jesus' death with little consideration given to His burial. While this is understandable, it is important to remember that Jesus' burial is not only an essential element of the Gospel (1 Cor 15:3-8), but it supports the credibility of His resurrection. The actions of two Sanhedrin members in placing His body in the tomb and rolling a stone to seal it eliminate any rationale for introducing a "swoon theory" that would deny the fact of Jesus' resurrection.

Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Appearances: An Introduction
by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert

The Scriptural definition of the gospel (1 Cor 15:3-8) emphasizes Jesus' post-resurrection appearances. For Jesus' followers, finding the tomb empty only reinforced their grief. Without seeing Him, they were not being convinced that He was alive. It was imperative that He appear to them in a resurrection body; one they could touch and one that carried the wounds of the nails and scar of the spear.

Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Appearances to His Followers
by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert

The Scriptures record ten appearances of Jesus after His resurrection, the first to Mary Magdelene at the tomb and the last to His followers at His ascension from the Mount of Olives forty days later. Although each appearance had a particular purpose, the underlying theme was His commission to communicate the gospel throughout the world.

The Commissioning of Peter
by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert

The Shepherd had been stricken and the sheep scattered (Zech 13:7). The Great Shepherd would soon leave His sheep. The time had come for Him to appoint an under-shepherd to tend the flock; a flock that would almost instantly increase from 120 to 3,000 and then to 5,000! This was a very special flock; it belonged to the Shepherd who had given His life for them. To be trusted to lead them, an under-shepherd's motivation must be love for the Shepherd, and nothing else (1 Pet 5:1-5). Jesus would now ask Peter one question three times to verify his qualification for this responsibility.