Today we’re talking about what happens when Scripture stops feeling far away. My guest, Craig Dehut of Appian Media, has spent years filming in Israel, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Jordan to make high-quality and biblically accurate Bible films. In this episode we’ll stand at Gethsemane, look across the valley to Jerusalem, rethink “Silent Night” in Bethlehem, and recalibrate how we picture the Sea of Galilee. If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t see it,” this episode brings the text to life so you can meet Jesus in it.
Video producer Craig Dehut shares how Appian Media set out to solve a problem: the world needed well-made, bias-free, biblically accurate Bible films shot in the lands of the Bible and offered free. Craig walks us through Gethsemane (why Jesus likely watched the arresting party approach across the valley), the Sea of Galilee (a large lake you can see across), and Bethlehem (why a cave manger fits first-century reality better than our wooden nativity scenes). We talk “holy imagination” vs. speculation, using media with discernment, and why visuals help modern readers grasp geography, culture, and the grit of the text. Plus: their trips to Israel, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Jordan; the Seven Churches of Revelation; and a long-term plan to film Genesis → Revelation. Watch their films and behind-the-scenes on YouTube or appianmedia.org.
And as always, we start off the episode with what is bringing us joy and we know you will be so encouraged by this conversation. Listen free on Apple or Spotify, and join us on Patreon for an extended version of this episode as well as exclusive content!
Ways you can connect with Craig Dehut:
Follow Craig on Instagram
Appian Media website
Appian Media Videos
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Halfway to Sunday is a weekly conversation on life and faith with your friends. We are so glad you’re here!
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SHOW NOTES
John 18:1–3 (Gethsemane; arrest party crossing the valley)
Luke 2:7–20 (manger; shepherds near Bethlehem)
Luke 1:39–45 (Mary travels to Elizabeth)
Mark 4:35–41 / Matt. 8:23–27 (storm on the Sea of Galilee)
1 John 4:1 (“test the spirits”) • 1 Peter 3:15 (“give a defense”)
John 20:24–31 (Thomas; “these are written so you may believe”)
Appian Media (appianmedia.org)
Bible Resources:
The Journaling Bible I use | Bible Highlighters | Annotating Tabs | **affiliate links
Other Episodes That May Be Helpful:
Episode #75 You’ve Heard it Said…But What Does Jesus Say? w/ Thomas West
Episode #74 Proximity Over Performance w/ Terence Lester
Episode #72 Bearing Witness to Brave Faith w/ Kurt Ver Beek
Episode #59 Loyal in His Love: How Jesus Heals What People Break w/ Tabitha Panariso
Episode #53 Faith Isn’t Fragile w/ Erin Moon
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Follow Jill on Instagram