Knowing God through Journey and Pilgrimage

The Hebrew/Christian Scriptures include many allusions to pilgrimage customs and practices, yet the information is scattered and requires a considerable amount of reconstruction. It is posited that the pilgrimage paradigm, including the journey motif, has influenced the thought patterns of the writers of both the Old and New Testaments.
To follow Jesus' journey to Jerusalem on the three feasts of pilgrimage in Luke-Acts and John, and their relevance to the way he revealed himself and taught his disciples, this work begins with the creation and patriarchal narratives, examining how the pilgrimage paradigm relates to discipleship. Reviewing the history of the people of God including the Exodus, the Exile, and restoration, this book establishes the significance of pilgrimage as a paradigm for Israel that eventually shapes Judaism.
Seung Y Lee points us to a neglected fact that the three feasts of pilgrimage have developed their own characters and meanings for the momentous events in the history of Israel, and both Luke-Acts and John reflect the significance of the pilgrimage paradigm for Jesus' self-understanding and his teaching.


""The journey motif in the scriptures is found almost everywhere, and yet has long been neglected by biblical scholarship. Lee not only gathers scattered witnesses to build a substantial theological force, but also suggests convincingly the pilgrim nature of Christian life and mission. In fact, he lives out the conviction drawn from his study as a cross-cultural missionary.""
--Wonsuk Ma
Executive Director
Oxford Centre for Mission Studies

""Seung Yeal Lee has brought to our attention the biblical theme of pilgrimage. This is a theme that is often overlooked. This study alerts us to its importance throughout the entire bible demonstrating how the pilgrimage events produce a tapestry of theological thought. Into this larger narrative are woven the crucial pilgrimages of scripture, that is, those of Abraham, Israel, Jesus, and his people. In reading this work awareness of this important theme is heightened and with it an appreciation of scripture's use of the motif to tell the story of God's saving work for his people.""
--Tom Holland
Head of Biblical Research
Wales Evangelical School of Theology (WEST)


Seung Yeal Lee was Professor of New Testament at Alliance Graduate School and Asian Graduate School of Theology at Manila. After three years in pastoring Jubilee International Fellowship in Manila, he now serves as Pastor of All Nations International Fellowship in Beijing Onnuri Church. His current research interest is in the Year of Jubilee as the fulfilment of the Church and worship.