On the Face of the Deep: The Sea in Scripture

by Linford Stutzman

Publisher:

Lexham Press

, 2026

The Sea in Scripture

The Old Testament primarily tells a story written to, by, and about people of the land—the promised land and neighboring territories. Those at home on the sea were almost always enemies. But with the New Testament comes a startling shift of focus. The disciples take their message to the ends of the earth via the Mediterranean Sea.

In On the Face of the Deep: The Sea in Scripture, Linford Stutzman highlights the importance of sea stories in Scripture. A biblical scholar as well as an expert sailor, Stutzman rereads these passages with insights from history, marine archaeology, ancient texts, and the cultural and physical environment of the Mediterranean itself. His study reveals geographical and cultural details that enhance our appreciation of the drama and significance of the Bible’s sea stories.

Studies in Biblical Archaeology, Geography, and History

Studies in Biblical Archaeology, Geography, and History is a peer-reviewed series of contemporary monographs exploring key issues, locations, and events in biblical archaeology, geography, and history.

Contents

• Introduction
• Division: Water, Sea, Land, and People in the Hebrew Scriptures
• Perils: The Mediterranean Sea from Hebrew to Greek Scriptures
• Domination: Mare Nostrum and the Greek New Testament
• Potential: The Sea in the Gospels
• Competition: Mare Nostrum and Acts
• Navigation: The Sea Change in Scripture

Product Details

• Title: On the Face of the Deep: The Sea in Scripture
• Author: Linford Stutzman
• Series: Studies in Biblical Archaeology, Geography, and History
• Publisher: Lexham Press
• Publication Date: 2026
• Pages: 180
• Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
• Trim Size: 5.5x8.5
• ISBN: 9781683599258

About Linford Stutzman

Dr. Stutzman joined the Bible & Religion faculty in 1991 after serving with Eastern Mennonite Missions in Germany for eight years and in Australia for four years. He is also the director of the seminary’s Coffman Center. Along with his wife Janet, Linford has led several of the most recent cross-cultural study semesters in the Middle East, and recently concluded a 15 month sabbatical when he and Janet sailed the Mediterranean, tracing the route of St. Paul in the Book of Acts.