Jerusalem Bound: How to Be a Pilgrim in the Holy Land

by Rodney Aist

A pilgrim spirituality for Holy Land travel, Jerusalem Bound resources the Christian traveler with biblical, historical, and contemporary images of the pilgrim life. Integrating historical sources, on-the-ground experience, and the voices of global pilgrims, Jerusalem Bound presents a fresh approach to pilgrimage, explores pilgrim identity and the Holy Land experience, offers ideas for Holy Land travel, and encourages pilgrims to focus upon the Other as much as themselves. Unique among Holy Land resources, Jerusalem Bound discusses material that is seldom addressed on a Holy Land the motives of Holy Land pilgrims, the history of the Christian Holy Land, understanding the holy sites, pilgrim practices, material objects, and the challenges of Holy Land pilgrimage. Emphasizing the incarnational nature of lived experience, the book encourages pilgrims to derive meaning in both the highs and lows of religious travel. Attentive to the transformational nature of pilgrimage, Jerusalem Bound is ultimately interested in Christian formation and the aftermath of the Holy Land journey.

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2020

Reviews

[Deanna McCombs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes the wonder of pilgrimage as I have experienced it. It acknowledges the spiritual side of a trip as different from a mere sightseeing experience.

[Gael Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and essential read for anyone journeying to Jerusalem and the surrounding areas!

I’m about to leave on a two-week study-pilgrimage, and have found this book immensely helpful in preparing. Rodney’s expertise paired with his accessible writing style makes this a fantastic resource for any traveller.

There’s both practical and spiritual wisdom, and the tension between the sacredness of the endeavour and the realities of our physical life is held very well.

I’d recommend this to anyone thinking about heading to Israel and will be taking it with me in my luggage for reference!

[Kelly Yoder (Ostergren) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankful for this book as I prepare to visit the Holy Land. The beginning was a discussion of the definition of pilgrimage. After that, the majority of the book is quite practical and helpful. Also included relevant and interesting historical information. (The appendices are great too!) Rodney does a great job of providing good questions for pilgrims to ask themselves as they discern choices and the desired (and actual) nature of their upcoming pilgrimage. I also appreciated that he addresses pilgrim expectations of the trip and how to navigate them.

[Elizabeth Danielson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was recommended prior to a trip to the Holy Land. I tried repeatedly to read it over the course of several months and finally got to the end. While the premise is an important one, the writing was so full of jargon that it was painful to slog through. I do not recommend it!