I'm thinking Greece in 2026 would make a good Christmas gift for somebody. Traveling with Dave Mullins is always a plus! Check out this opportunity . . .
Aristotle and Paul at Assos
The Doric columns of the Temple of Athena in Assos overlooking the Aegean Sea from an 800-foot cliff.
Assos: Where Philosophy, Scripture, and the Aegean Meet
Colossal columns rise upright at the restored Temple of Athena in Assos. These pillars, featuring their distinctive Doric style, were originally erected in the 6th century BC. Standing at the ruins, the cliff drops 800 feet directly into the Aegean Sea. As you might imagine, the vista is spectacular!
Historically, sailors approaching the coast used this temple's distinctive outline as a landmark. Tucked into the jagged rocks in the shadows far below lies the ancient harbor—the very heart of the city's maritime life.
A Deep History of Famous Residents
The history of Assos stretches back to the Early Bronze Age, but its "guest list" is what truly sets it apart:
The Philosopher: Aristotle, its most famous resident, lived and taught here for several years.
The Apostle: St. Paul, its most famous visitor, famously walked there to meet his companions here (see Acts 20:13).
Join Our 2026 Western Türkiye Tour
We are headed back to the heights of Assos, the walls of Troy, the vibrant streets of Istanbul, and many other foundational sites in Western Türkiye in 2026.
Experience the intersection of classical philosophy and biblical history for yourself.
Click here for an up-to-date list of our upcoming tour opportunities!
Vardar: The Now-gone Gate in Thessaloniki
The bustling corner of Egnatia and Vardari Square in Thessaloniki.
The Vardar Gate
Standing at the bustling corner of Egnatia and Vardari Square today, it’s hard to imagine that this modern traffic hub was once the grand Vardar Gate. As the primary western entrance to ancient Thessaloniki, this gateway served as a vital link on the famous Via Egnatia, welcoming travelers, merchants, and soldiers for centuries.
For many, the gate holds a deeper significance: it is the likely spot where the Apostle Paul entered or exited the city during his second missionary journey. While the physical stone arches have vanished over time—leaving behind only a single surviving inscription now housed in the British Museum—the location’s energy remains unchanged.
Visiting this spot today offers a unique bridge between the ancient and the modern city. Though the monument is gone, the “spirit of the gate” lives on in the rhythmic pulse of the city's busiest intersection, reminding us that we are walking the same path as history’s most influential figures.
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For more, watch the video below.
Dating Paul: An Acts Anchor
The Gallio Inscription
The Gallio Inscription, found at the site of Delphi, not only suggests the historicity of the book of Acts, but a point in time to anchor the narrative. Check out this video from the Delphi Archaeological Museum in Greece.
Watch the video!
Click on the panel below: “Dating Paul: An Inscription from Delphi.”
To learn more about the Apostle Paul in Greece, see our post: “Paul before the Areopagus Court in Acts 17: A Case with Capital Consequences.”
For more on Paul in Corinth, see our post: “Acts 18: Christianity on Trial in Corinth.”
Nerium Oleander: A Man-killing Bloom
Tarsus: Where Ancient Medicine and Ministry Met
When speaking of Tarsus, the birthplace of the Apostle Paul, voices instinctively takes on a tone of reverence. In the first century, this wasn't just a bustling trade hub; it was a sophisticated center of scholarship and intellectual rigor that rivaled Athens and Alexandria.
To understand the intellectual air Paul breathed, one need only look at his contemporary: Pedanius Dioscorides.
The Man Who Defined Medicine for 1,500 Years
A physician and botanist from Tarsus, Dioscorides lived a life that overlapped significantly with Paul’s. Between AD 50 and 70—the very decades Paul was traversing the Roman Empire—Dioscorides was authoring De Materia Medica.
This five-volume encyclopedia became the undisputed gold standard for herbal remedies and pharmacology for the next 1,500 years. While Paul was writing letters that would shape the spirit, his neighbor was writing the manual that would heal the body.
The "Man-Killer" of the Wadi
One of the plants Dioscorides meticulously described is the Nerium oleander. The name itself may be derived from the Greek for "man-killer"—a fitting title for a plant that is as lethal as it is lovely.
In his writings, Dioscorides warns that:
Eating the plant or drinking its broth will “kill most four-footed creatures.”
Curiously, he suggests it could be diluted with wine as an antidote against “the bites of venomous creatures.”
I recently captured a shot of this infamous Nerium oleander (pictured above) in the rugged Wadi ath-Thamad in central Jordan. Its vibrant pink blooms look innocent enough against the desert stone, but the ancient warnings still ring true.
A Second Opinion
As for using this “man-killer” as an antidote for snakebites? Personally, I’d want a second opinion from Dr. Luke before taking that prescription! Fortunately, during my trek through the Wadi, I didn't see any snakes to put the theory to the test.
From Caesar to the Tower of the Winds: Exploring the Roman Forum of Athens
View to the Roman forum courtyard in Athens.
The Roman Forum of Athens
The Roman Forum (or Agora) of Athens was constructed between 19 and 11 BCE as a new commercial center funded by Julius Caesar and Emperor Augustus. This ancient marketplace features a large open-air courtyard once surrounded by colonnades and shops, serving as a more structured and commercial successor to the older Classical Agora. Its most striking preserved structures include the monumental Gate of Athena Archegetis and the Tower of the Winds, which is considered the world's first meteorological station.
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Go for a tour with us by clicking the panel below!
Community and Connection: New Life Christian Church at the Waterfront, Thessaloniki
The sun rises over the Thermaic Gulf, casting a glow on the white stone of the city’s waterfront. In Thessaloniki, mornings are a slow, sacred ritual where ancient history meets modern devotion. For those on tour in Greece with New Life Christian Church, a “Macedonian morning” is about more than just a beautiful view—it’s about connecting with the deep biblical roots of this vibrant city.
Group shot at the base of the Alexander the Great memorial on Thessaloniki’s waterfront.
We”ll be back with another crew July 14-25, 2025. There is room for you. Consider joining us and follow the steps of the Apostle Paul.
Acts 18: Christianity on Trial in Corinth
Lachaeon Road in the ruins of Corinth, Greece.
Who—or What, really—was on Trial in Corinth?
When the Apostle Paul stood before the proconsul Gallio at the Bema seat in Corinth, it was more than a local dispute—it was a definitive legal turning point for the early Church. This trial (Acts 18) effectively placed Christianity on the scales of Roman law, resulting in a precedent that allowed the Gospel to flourish across the Empire for years to come.
The Verdict: A De Facto Legal Shield
Gallio’s refusal to adjudicate the case was a strategic “non-ruling.” By dismissing the charges as an internal religious dispute rather than a civil crime, he implicitly categorized Christianity under the “protective umbrella” of Judaism, which was a religio licita (legal religion) in Rome. It is confirmation of the thrust of the book of Acts: Jesus is the conclusion of the Old Testament story.
Watch the video
Gallio’s indifference wasn't just a lucky break—it was a divine legal shield. Watch the video below to see the impact of this one ruling (and how it is consistent with Luke’s presentation of troublemakers and problem-solvers in the book of Acts).
For more on the Apostle Paul in Corinth, see our post: “Dating Paul.”
The Roman Agora of Thessaloniki: Walking Through Acts 17
View to the remains of the Roman Market in downtown Thessaloniki.
A physical link to the early Christian story
The Roman Market (Agora) in Thessaloniki serves as the vivid historical setting for a pivotal story found in Acts 17. Once the bustling heart of the ancient city, these excavated ruins mark the very grounds where the Apostle Paul engaged with the local community. Today, the marketplace stands as a powerful physical link to the early days of faith in Greece, inviting visitors to walk the same paths as the biblical figures of the first century.
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Click the panel below and experience the site.
The Deep Roots of Thessaloniki: A City Built for a Queen
A legacy from the days of Alexander the Great
The deep roots of Thessaloniki stretch back over two millennia to the era of Alexander the Great. Founded in 315 BC by King Cassander, the city was named in honor of his wife, the half-sister of the legendary Macedonian conqueror. Today, this historic foundation serves as the gateway to Northern Greece, where ancient ruins and royal legacies still pulse through the modern streets.
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Click the panel to walk the streets of Thessaloniki.