| Invitation to the Old Testament -- Eight Weeks This study approaches the study of Hebrew Scriptures by inviting participants to hear the story of God and God's calling of the people of Israel through the many "voices" of the biblical text. Narrative, poem, history, and prophetic utterance all have their own distinctive characteristics and purpose, arising out of a particular historical, social, and cultural setting. To understand fully the story of God's covenantal relationship with Israel calls for listening to these various ways the story is told throughout the Old Testament. What does it mean to be God's chosen people? And how does the story of Israel's covenant with God inform our own identity as heirs of that covenant? Through this study, participants will be invited to listen afresh to the witness of the Old Testament to hear God's call and purpose for their own lives and respond to that call. Study Contents 1. The Making of the Hebrew Bible 2. The Creation Story of Israel 3. Out of Bondage 4. Promise and Problem in the Land 5. Israel Has a King 6. Division and the Rise of Prophecy 7. Exile and Response 8. Restoration and Renewal Authors James D. Tabor - Professor of Christian Origins and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Celia Brewer Sinclair - Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In additions to the authors, video segments feature these scholars: Peter E. Enns - Associate Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, PA. Julia M. O'Brien - Paul and Grace L. Stern Professor of Old Testament at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, PA. |
Invitation to the Old Testament
| Invitation to John -- Eleven Weeks In its wisdom, the early church chose to keep four Gospel accounts of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Three of these Gospels are very similar to each other in both what they tell about the story of Jesus and how they tell it. However, the Gospel of John stands apart. In it, we find Jesus speaking not in parables but in lengthy discourses. We overhear Jesus talking with Nicodemus, a Samaritan woman, and Mary Magdalene. We marvel at Jesus turning water into wine, calling Lazarus from the tomb, and washing his disciples’ feet. We linger over Jesus’ great promises: “For God so loved the world.…” “I am the bread of life.…” “I am the resurrection.…” “Peace I leave with you.…” In the very first chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus issues two invitations: “Come and see,” and “Follow me.” They echo the invitations of this study: to come and see this Jesus—to hear him speak, to see his signs—and to consider anew what it means to be his followers. The video segments welcome the participant into the study of John. The first segment each week presents a portion of the week's scripture read against a background of classic and contemporary art depicting the story. The second video segment presents an interviewer and scholar discussing the text in an informal and accessible exchange, followed by an on-screen small group who consider the questions of the week. Study Contents 1. Come and See (John 1–2) 2. How Is It Possible? (John 3–4) 3. Taste for Yourself (John 5–6) 4. To Believe or Not to Believe (John 7–8) 5. Are We Blind? (John 9–10) 6. I Couldn’t Believe My Eyes! (John 11–12) 7. Would You Believe It? (John 13–14) 8. What Time Is It? (John 15–16) 9. Look Out! (John 17–18) 10. Believing Without Seeing (John 19–20) 11. Do You See Him? (John 21) Authors Robert D. Kysar, Bandy Professor Emeritus of Preaching and New Testament, Candler School of Theology In addition to the author, video segments feature these scholars: Susan Hylen Jaime Clark-Soles Ben Witherington Craig Koestler. |
Invitation to John
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