I invite a friend and mentor to join me and discuss the significance of reading the Bible in its physical context. In the second half of the episode we discuss Luke 2 and the geographical information contained in the narrative that helps us imagine the nativity scene in a more realistic way. In particular, what do we learn by reading that the shepherds were in the fields with their flocks at night?

The True Nativity: Shepherds, fields, and flocks

The Bible does not need to be rewritten, but it needs to be reread. In this podcast, Dr. Parker shares a behind the scenes look at some of Israel Bible Center's most popular online courses. Each week faculty members sit down to discuss the ancient literature, history, culture, customs, and theology that will uncover rich new ways to understand the Bible.
For more from the Israel Bible Center go to: www.israelbiblecenter.com

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

Dr. Taylor Gray is an associate faculty member and the professor of a recently released course at IBC called Divine Imagery in the Biblical World. This week we discuss what we can learn from iconography from the ancient world, and how these pieces of art may enhance the way we read the Bible. What changes to our picture of cherubim and seraphim? There are also challenges including the pottery with pictures and writing that refer to YHWH and his Asherah. What was going on in ancient Israelite society? Enroll in the class Divine Imagery in the Biblical World HERE
View Othmar Keel's influential book Symbolism of the Biblical World
Explore a catalogue of ancient art through this German website Find out how you can get this and many other courses with one small monthly subscription at: https://israelbiblecenter.com
Stay connected with IBC on Facebook @IsraelBibleCenter or Twitter @IsraelStudy

God, Angels, and Iconography

Dr. Taylor Gray is an associate faculty member at Israel Bible Center. He recently released a new course called Divine Imagery in the Biblical World. We sit down with Dr. Gray to talk about the study of iconography, its growth over the last few decades, and its ability to give modern readers a glimpse into how ancient people perceived the world.  Enroll in the class Divine Imagery in the Biblical World HERE
View Othmar Keel's influential book Symbolism of the Biblical World
Explore a catalogue of ancient art through this German website Find out how you can get this and many other courses with one small monthly subscription at: https://israelbiblecenter.com
Stay connected with IBC on Facebook @IsraelBibleCenter or Twitter @IsraelStudy

Images of the Divine World

Part 2 of the conversation between Dr. Benjamin Sommer and Dr. Yeshaya Gruber explores the idea of if the Israelites thought of God had fluidity like the polytheists thought their gods had. Perhaps different authors had differing views? What do we gain by exploring the ancient views of the body or form of the Divine? Watch the whole Round Table Talk with Dr. Sommer called God's Bodies in the Bible
Explore the book The Bodies of God and the World of Ancient Israel.
Take Dr. Gruber's class Kabbalah and the Bible, Part 1 Find out how you can get this and many other courses with one small monthly subscription at: https://israelbiblecenter.com
Stay connected with IBC on Facebook @IsraelBibleCenter or Twitter @IsraelStudy

Fluidity of the Divine

Dr. Benjamin Sommer and Dr. Yeshaya Gruber to discuss God's Bodies in the Bible. Is it controversial to claim that God has a body? Are ancient Near Eastern conceptions of deities reflected or refuted in the Hebrew Bible? These questions lead us into a conversation about God's presence.   Watch the whole Round Table Talk with Dr. Sommer called God's Bodies in the Bible
Explore the book The Bodies of God and the World of Ancient Israel.
Take Dr. Gruber's class Kabbalah and the Bible, Part 1 Find out how you can get this and many other courses with one small monthly subscription at: https://israelbiblecenter.com
Stay connected with IBC on Facebook @IsraelBibleCenter or Twitter @IsraelStudy

Does God Have a Body?

Dr. Drew Longacre is a guest lecturer at IBC who recently released a course on the Psalms. Today talk about some of the psalms that make you cringe...those imprecatory psalms that call down God's judgment on your enemy. Dr. Longacre also introduces us to a new online tool that helps us study the psalms well. Enroll in the course Psalms: A Songbook for the Ages HERE Explore the new resource on the psalms through the Cambridge Digital Bible HERE Find out how you can get this and many other courses with one small monthly subscription at: https://israelbiblecenter.com
Stay connected with IBC on Facebook @IsraelBibleCenter or Twitter @IsraelStudy

The True Nativity: Shepherds, fields, and flocks

Download our free app to listen on your phone