Bar-Ilan University’s Bible Department will host a special three-part lecture series in collaboration with Rev. Dr. ShinAe Kim, Adjunct Professor at the Methodist Theological University in Seoul, South Korea, and BIU’s International School.
The lecture series is the brainchild of Rev. Dr. Kim, one of Bar-Ilan University’s successful alumni who earned her doctorate in Biblical Studies in 2015. She thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to learn from three of Israel’s top Bible scholars who teach the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) in the land in which it was born.
Rev. Dr. ShinAe Kim holding her Doctoral certificate with her mentor, Prof. Edward Greenstein
“In Korea, there are many Biblical scholars, ministers, pastors, and priests who are familiar with Christian theologies about reading the Tanakh, but are ‘very uncomfortable’ with the Jewish perspective on it,” said Rev. Dr. Kim.
“I wanted to invite them to this series to remind them that the roots of the Christian faith in the Bible could be found only by correct understanding of Jewish thought, language, history, culture, and interpretations of it. Otherwise, the only things left will be religious buildings filled with distortions about the text,” she said.
The series is aimed at religious leaders from all denominations and students from theological seminaries and universities; however, is open to anyone who is interested in these topics. In addition, participants in these three lectures will be able to find out more about the benefits of visiting Bar-Ilan University for a semester or a one-year program as well as those who might be interested in a Master’s or Doctorate program in Biblical Studies at the university.
“Currently, we don’t have enough experts of ancient Judaism or rabbinic literature in South Korea and no serious study of Judaism or Hebrew at a university level,” Rev. Dr. Kim said. “I was blessed to have the opportunity to learn about Judaism in Israel, which has deepened and enriched my knowledge and understanding of the texts. And now, I have an unavoidable responsibility to share this blessing with my Christian colleges and friends in Korea.
Rev. Dr. ShinAe Kim with Prof. Michael Avioz (left) and Prof. Marvin Sweeny in Seoul
at the 2016 International Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL). South Korean scholars,
who once studied in Israel, arranged a reception in Hebrew for Jewish Scholars
“I have many good memories of Bar-Ilan and have been so blessed with all the friends I made in the classrooms, the offices, and the library at the university. They are all in my prayers every morning and I am full of joy when thinking about them. In addition, I would like to say, I had the best teacher in the world,” she said, referring to Prof. Edward L. Greenstein, Professor Emeritus of Bible at BIU.
The three lectures will focus on different topics presented by Prof. Greenstein and his colleagues, all of whom are well-known professors in their fields. Below are the topics, names of the lecturers, dates, times (South Korea), and a link to the registration form for each event.
Check here for the time in your country.
Register for lecture 1 – A New Look at the Book of Job with Prof. Edward (Ed) Greenstein – here.
Register for lecture 2 – The Story of Pharaoh’s Daughter (Exodus 2:1-10) in Text and in Art with Prof. Josh Berman – here.
Register for lecture 3 – Biblical Interpretation in the Works of Flavius Josephus with Prof. Michael Avioz – here.
