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May 19, 2011 - From
Dr. Paul Wright The safety and
security situation in the Middle East continues to make headlines
this spring and early summer. A certain level of unrest in the
broader region (Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Syria and to a lesser extent
Jordan and Lebanon) will likely continue throughout the summer
months. Last week a colleague in one such country mentioned to me
that a large number of groups that had planned on visiting his
country have cancelled, with some deciding to come to Israel
instead. Indeed, Israel is an island of calm in an otherwise
restless Middle Eastern sea. What should be emphasized is that
the kind of unrest that is taking place in several of the countries
surrounding Israel is not happening here. What this means for us is
that we were able to complete our spring programs without an
incident of any kind, under conditions that were quiet and peaceful
throughout. It also means that our summer programs, which started
this week (16 May), are as large and full of students and energy as
ever. We fully expect that all of the trips and activities connected
with our summer programs will proceed as planned. I might add that
enrollment for the fall semester is stronger than expected, and we
anticipate great learning experiences throughout.
I am posting a number of pictures that show
springtime activities at Jerusalem University College. A highlight
is always the six-day field study to southern Jordan for the
Cultural Backgrounds of the Bible course. On the trip we try to stay
in places and do things that are as reminiscent of the old way of
Middle Eastern life as possible (i.e., to get back to the biblical
period, at least in certain ways, as much as we can). It’s an
impossible task theoretically, but does have some practical
benefits. This year we noticed especially how essential the land is
to existence, not only in matters of everyday life but also through
imagery which helps us to understand our relationship with God. The
prophet Isaiah speaks of God creating the cosmos as a large tent,
under which members of His family find provision, protection and
care (Isaiah 40:22; cp. Job 9:8). To this can be added the imagery
of Job, who tells of the harshness of life “out there,” beyond the
confines of the tent, where wadis are turbid then vanish into
nothingness and where mountains crumble away into sand (Job 6:15-18;
14:18-19). Note as well the comments of the Psalmist:
LORD, you have been
our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were born
or you gave birth to the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. (Ps 90:1-2).
One wonders to what extent the observations of
Isaiah and Job speak to the efforts of those who try to create or
hold on to political power today. In the end I find it interesting
that whereas the core of the Old Testament story took place in a
time of emerging nation states, Jesus came specifically to a people
whose very identity was threatened by powerful political and
cultural structures imposed from the outside, yet chose not to get
involved in political processes but speak to matters of the heart.
How different the Middle East would be if the life and teachings of
Jesus and his biblical predecessors were taken seriously!
Our short-term programs are underway. Over the
course of the next two months we will welcome over 300 students to
campus. Many are coming in conjunction with our associated schools:
Asbury Theological Seminary, Cedarville University, Columbia
Bible College (including CBC’s Globe Quest program), Columbia
International University, Fuller Theological Seminary,
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Northwest Nazarene University,
Northwestern College, Simpson University and Wheaton College. We
also welcome groups from Azusa Pacific University, Covenant
College, Fresno Pacific University and Patten University.
Our standing Geographical and Historical Settings of the Bible
courses in May and June have three-day excursions in Jordan, and the
Columbia Bible College Globe Quest program includes a trip to the
Sinai. Instructors for our summer programs are Aubrey Alexander,
Dr. Brian Schultz, Dr. Robert Mullins, Dr. Carl Rasmussen, Cyndi
Parker, Emily Thomassen and myself. The entire JUC
community is very happy that Cyndi Parker is back with us this
summer. Welcome! She will keep very busy with a full slate of
administrative, teaching and project duties. Cyndi plans on
beginning Ph.D. studies at the University of Gloucestershire,
Cheltenham England, this fall.
My records indicate that donor giving has
increased this year. As a result we are able to increase
scholarships to worthy students, especially those pursuing the MA
degree. Thank you to all!
With blessings, and thanks,
Dr. Paul Wright
President, JUC |
