The Story Behind Fig Tree
Fig Tree Ministries is an educational ministry dedicated to helping people discover the depths of the Biblical text.
Our conviction is that the Bible is a transformational book. That said, you must read it regularly for the transformational process to take hold.
A woman in a Bible study I was once leading remarked to me:
"I feel as if I am learning the 'rules' of how to read my Bible. I used to go to baseball games with my husband, but I was so bored because I didn't know the rules of the game. Once I learned them and could follow what was happening on the field, the game suddenly became more exciting. This is how I feel now about my reading my bible. I am beginning to see deeper into the scripture and how the message is being communicated."
Since the Bible is an ancient book, we modern readers are often left scratching our heads at what is being communicated.
A significant reason for our confusion is that we are missing the historical and cultural context within which the book was written.
There is a cultural divide between easterners and westerners (even today) which adds a layer of complexity to understanding what is being said.
The Bible writers do not stop to explain the cultural nuances within which they live. They assume the readers already knows.
One example of this is that the eastern mind loves to speak truth using concrete symbols which carry a greater meaning. Jesus always speaks in concrete terms (you can touch, smell, see, hear) rather than abstractions.
Jesus tells stories to convey truth and the stories contain concrete symbols: a mustard tree, yeast, a father, a king, a land owner, a shepherd with a hundred sheep, a woman with ten coins, a father with two sons.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are also using symbols to communicate their message. Their audience was used to looking for and interpreting symbols within the stories they told.
Unfortunately, our modern Western thinking does not communicate this way, and we must work to gain an understanding of what the Bible writers were saying to us.
God gave us His word to be accessible to ALL people. The Rabbis say there are "Seventy faces to Torah" - this is their symbolic way of saying that the words of the Bible speak to ALL people (70 Nations is the expression for the other nations in the world).
The more we learn about the culture and history of when the bible was written the louder we hear the voice of God in the text.
About Scott Broberg
Shabbat at the Wester Wall, Jerusalem
For over two decades, I've immersed myself in studying and teaching the Bible through its cultural and historical contexts.
My academic journey began at The Ohio State University, where I earned a degree in Aviation Management in 1992.
Upon graduation, I was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps and trained as a helicopter pilot, flying the CH-46E. My service included assignments with HMM-268 and HMM-165 in Southern California.
From 2000 to 2002, I served as the Air Officer at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, CA.
During this period, I also acted as the Public Affairs Officer, engaging with media outlets like CNN and NBC, especially following the events of 9/11 when our troops found themselves operating in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan.
CH-46E - operating at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center
In 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, our unit was tasked with supporting the 1st Marine Division with Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) and Resupply while they were safeguarding the ancient city of Babylon.
This unexpected experience deepened my appreciation for biblical history and archaeology.
My travels have taken me to over 27 countries, including significant biblical sites in Israel, Turkey, Greece, Malta, and Crete. These journeys have enriched my understanding of the lands and cultures that shape the biblical narrative.
Traveling to these remarkable biblical sites makes the pages of Scripture come alive. Standing among ancient ruins, you begin to see that the heroes of the Bible were people just like us—wrestling with the same needs, hopes, and desires.
So much of the Bible’s message is rooted in the land and culture from which it emerged. Geography, history, and tradition shape the way its truths were originally communicated.
Of course, not everyone has the opportunity to travel to these places firsthand. That’s why I’m passionate about bringing the experience to you.
Through Fig Tree Ministries, I strive to bridge that gap—using visuals, teaching, and cultural context to help you step into the world of the Bible. When we see images of the land—especially the archaeological sites of Israel—our minds begin to construct a more accurate picture of what Scripture is describing. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
God has given us the incredible gift of imagination, and when it’s paired with learning and visual context, it helps us see His Word more clearly and connect more deeply with its meaning.
The Lion of Babylon, Iraq
Magdala, the home of Mary the Magdalene. Oddly enough our tour guide's name was...Mary.
In 2011, my wife Bonnie and I married, and with her unwavering support, I transitioned to full-time theological studies in 2015.
This path led us to Israel, where I studied at Jerusalem University College, further grounding my teaching in the geographical and historical settings of the Bible.
Through Fig Tree Ministries, our mission is to make the Bible's rich cultural and historical context accessible, encouraging a deeper connection with the scriptures.
My degree is a Masters of Divinity (MDiv), Biblical Studies - emphasis on Old Testament and Hebrew.