Towards a Hebraic Perspective
An Interactive Lecture Series
Purpose:
To creatively point people towards a journey of a Hebraic Perspective.
We have designed an interactive lecture series entitled, “Towards a Hebraic Perspective”.
What is a Hebraic Perspective? It begins with an awe of the Holy One of Israel who has communicated and is there. It embraces the notion that life is dynamic and fluid, energized by the unfolding of revitalizing biblical truth. It connects with the ancient person of Abraham and the timeless passages of the Hebrew Bible, which lend their voice to understanding life in our present day and the world in which we live. It is a life-long journey filled with meaning and purpose.
Our purpose is to encounter the Holy One that burned in the bush which Moses saw, to be filled with amazement at the wonder of God as we journey together along the way.
An interactive lecture series? With student participation encouraged, we believe this approach to study is both exciting and educational, offering opportunity for learning and the development of relationships.
Various Passages: The Awe of God
How does one begin the journey towards a Hebraic Perspective? The awe of God is one gate by which to enter. Abraham Heschel states, “Awe is more than an emotion; it is a way of understanding. Awe is itself an act of insight into a meaning greater than ourselves. The Greeks learned in order to comprehend. The modern man learns in order to use. The Hebrews learned in order to revere. We teach the children how to measure, how to weigh. We fail to teach the children how to sense wonder and awe.” Do we know how to sense awe and wonder? How should an awe of God impact our behavior and influence our thinking? We will develop this theme.
Gen. 1:26-27, God’s Image, on Being Human
To embrace a Hebraic Perspective based on the Hebrew Bible, it is essential to gain some understanding of the nature of being human, more explicitly, the ‘image of God’, Tselem Elohim. We ask, “what does Tselem Elohim mean”? We will use the sacred writings of Christianity and Judaism to explore this concept, which, in Hebraic thought, is multi-dimensional. This Hebraic view is basic for reaching to a higher spiritual level and in building meaningful relationships with others.
Psalm One: Ruminating for Life
This lesson gives serious consideration to the distinctiveness of law—Torah—within a Hebraic Perspective. We will discuss the answer to the questions “Who really are the wicked” and “what is success in life”? Understanding this passage is crucial for developing a Hebraic worldview.
Is. 50:9-51:6: Looking to Abraham
Focus Verse 51:2. We each have a perspective, a set of pre-suppositions, from which we form a world view and interpret the Bible. We must carefully choose and be fully aware of what those are. Of what importance is Abraham to how we view our life in this present day and the world in which we live? How is Abraham our connection to biblical truth? We will explore answers to these questions.
Ex. 3:1-17, Finding the Fire of God
Focus verse: 3:14. Is your God in a box? We will examine this passage to better understand the ways of the Holy One of Israel in the call of Moses. How do we understand God as fire? Do we understand the implications of the Greek view of static thought versus the Hebraic view of dynamic thought and how these views have affected our thinking? Do you want to know your life purpose and how it relates to the Divine Name?
Gen. 15:6: and other Passages: Faith of Abraham, Exercising Trust
The Greco-Roman view has had a pervasive influence on faith-believing as a sense of giving intellectual ascent to a truth statement. How does the Greco-Roman view of faith differ from the Hebraic paradigm of faith-believing that was born within the rich soil of the Hebrew Bible and how has it affected us? This question will be dealt with in depth.
Is. 52:13-53:12, Suffering, and the Identity of the Servant.
Focus verses 52:13 & 53:7, 9. What is the meaning and purpose of suffering within a Hebraic Perspective? Who is the suffering servant? We will examine these questions and others as we look at this intriguing passage.
Ex. 34:1-9, 13, Attributes of the Holy One
Focus verses 6-7. By grasping the meaning of this very significant passage, which encompasses God’s essence, several misconceptions of the God of the Hebrew Bible will be dispelled. It is a guidepost on the journey towards a Hebraic Perspective.
Deut. 6:1-4: Shema: The Confession Statement
If this passage is the confessional statement of Judaism, why do these words reverberate throughout the New Testament? How do we develop meaningful relationships in life in view of this important passage? We will answer these questions and more.
Deut. 6:5-9: The Purpose of Life
The commandment to love the Eternal is common ground for both Christianity and Judaism. From within the pages of the Hebrew Bible, New Testament and Rabbinics, how is understanding this statement foundational for formulating a life purpose? We will answer the question.
Lev. 19:2, 18: Holiness and Love
It has been said about Leviticus 19, “Most of the fundamental teachings of the Torah are dependent upon this section of the Torah”. Exactly what does it mean to love our neighbor? We will examine this commandment within the pages of the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament and Rabbinics. Through this process we will gain a better understanding of Torah—how to interpret it and apply it to life.
Gen. 11:26-12:9, Here and Beyond
It can be said that your interpretation of Genesis 12:1-3 will determine how you understand the whole Bible, that the reality of one’s framework determines the view of the passage, not the other way around. Creating one’s orthodoxy (doctrine) and orthopraxy (practice) within a Hebraic Perspective makes this passage fascinating for a view of history and modernity.
See the FAQ for class schedules.