|
February 23, 2010 - From
Dr. Paul Wright
It’s been quite a
while since I’ve written an update of happenings at Jerusalem
University College. I suppose it’s because things are humming along
rather nicely. Our enrollments are strong and classrooms full, but
that’s just some of the expected detail. Perhaps this testimony,
written after our Benjamin field study this past weekend by one of
our current graduate students, Eric Robishaw, a graduate of
Philadelphia Biblical University who is now attending Dallas
Theological Seminary, says enough:
In thirty years of studying the Bible, learning the events, names
and—more germane to this discussion, the places—nothing could have
adequately prepared me for the incredible views I saw firsthand in
the deep canyons on the descent from Jerusalem to Jericho. I have
seen pictures, video clips, and interacted with 3D maps galore. I
have probably traced over every square mile of the land of Israel in
some virtual-digital form or another, but until I stood on the ridge
overlooking the Wadi Qilt I could not possible understand this land
and what it was like for the characters of the Bible to live in and
on it. The Biblical story in true 3D on a 1:1 scale cannot be
simulated.
Our institutional mission “to facilitate the
interests of our Consortium of Associated Schools by offering
graduate and undergraduate programs of study through our campus in
Jerusalem” is being fulfilled daily. Our goal is to provide
opportunities by which our students can interact personally with the
unique academic and cultural resources that are available to them in
and around Jerusalem. This prompts them to maximize their time and
efforts while here. That it happens on a daily basis doesn’t make it
routine, for each moment that a student connects more deeply with
the Bible, its living context and the living Lord, is priceless.
Many of you support the work and vision of JUC in tangible
ways—through prayer, through giving, through advocacy and through
just plain hard work. I am reminded that we are here to serve you,
and am grateful for the opportunity to do so.
Our Geographical and Historical Settings of the
Bible course had 129 students this January. That’s a full house by
any count. Schools sending students included Alphacrucis College
(Australia), Central Christian College (KS), Columbia Bible College
(Canada), Grace University (NE), Greenville College (IL), Taylor
University (IN), Crossroads College (MN), Bethel University (MN),
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MA), Westminster Theological
Seminary (TX) and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (MI). Cyndi
Parker, Jack Beck and Aubrey Alexander were the instructors for the
program. Here are sample comments from some of our students:
- “The amazing integration of the biblical
text with field experience is the strength of the course.”
- “The study materials (Regions on the Run,
the Historical Geography Notebook, the maps for marking) are
phenomenal and so exhaustive as to provide additional study for
years to come. The map work we did prior to arriving in Israel
is very much appreciated. I would have been lost without it.”
- “I was quite impressed with how prepared
my instructors were. They were comfortable with the material and
related to the group very well.”
- “My instructor was one of the best
teachers I have ever had—incredible knowledge and teaching
ability.”
- “This course not only opened my eyes up
about the Bible, but I have learned a lot about myself.”
- “A+++”
- “Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you for an
amazing month that has changed my Bible reading forever! I so
appreciate everyone involved in making this program happen.”
- “12 out of 10! My instructor has a very
servant-like attitude, so encouraging.”
- “The greatest strength of this course was
to be in the land, on location, where biblical events took
place, with expert instruction and interpretation.”
Our semester enrollment this spring is also
strong, with 78 students. This is a slight increase from the fall
and the largest spring since prior to the intifada (2001). Of
the 78, 46 are grad students, half of whom are working on the JUC MA
degree. Associated schools sending students this spring include
Asbury College, Bethel Seminary, Calvin College, Cedarville
University, Columbia Bible College (Canada), Columbia International
University, Cornerstone University, Crown College, Dallas
Theological Seminary, Eastern University, Gordon College,
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, LeTourneau University, Messiah
College, Multnomah Bible College, Northwestern College, Philadelphia
Biblical University, Taylor University and Trinity International
University.
In January we welcomed Nat and Shirley
Wofford as breakfast and lunch cooks. They will be serving our
community as volunteers through the end of the summer programs. Nat
is a retired captain for American Airlines, and he and Shirley have
the kitchen flying high.
We also welcome Dr. Boyd Seevers of
Northwestern College (MN), his wife Karen and two daughters, Rachel
and Rebecca. Boyd is serving the JUC community as visiting professor
this spring by teaching our regular course Cultural Backgrounds
of the Bible. He is on sabbatical and working on a book on
warfare in ancient Israel, the subject of his Ph.D. dissertation (at
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School). Boyd and Karen were graduate
students at JUC (the Institute of Holy Land Studies) back in 1984,
and have come full circle.
About 20 semester students are volunteering
their time in the greater Jerusalem community. They are serving at
Shevet Achim (Save a Child’s Heart), the Domari (Gypsy) Community
Center, the Princess Basma School on the Mount of Olives, the Coptic
Orthodox School in the Old City and the American School in Beit Jala.
JUC now has a weight room! Tim and Abby
Hereford, directors of student life at JUC, have worked hard
clearing space and setting up weight lifting equipment in the lower
level of the academic building. Strong bodies, strong minds at JUC.
In late February and early March we welcome to
campus 30 students from Eastern Mennonite University, along
with their professor, Dr. Linford Stutzman, for a two-week course on
the geographical settings of the Bible. This is one segment of EMU’s
semester-long cross-cultural studies course in the Middle East. We
have partnered with EMU for many years, and are always glad to help
facilitate the Israel section of their program.
There is still time to submit applications for
the special scholarship offered to students enrolled in both
our June Historical and Geographical Settings of the Bible course
and the July Jesus and His Times course. Details can be found at
www.juc.edu/news/stscholarshipopportunity10.
We are saddened to hear of the recent passing
of Don Clark. Don was a member of the JUC board of directors
for 20 years (1988-2008), serving as an officer and chairman of the
finance committee. It was largely his vision that set the course
that brought us to a position of fiscal strength, and his guidance
that shaped the operating principles which have given us the
flexibility to weather the challenges endemic to operating in the
Middle East. We will miss his learned counsel. Our viability is
testimony to his legacy.
I also need to note the passing of two others
who were connected to the JUC community. Professor Haim Beinart of
the Hebrew University, father-in-law of Jon Kaplan who oversees our
program in Middle Eastern Cultures and Religions, died on February
16. Professor Beinart was a world expert in Medieval Jewish history.
Professor Abraham Malamat, also of the Hebrew University and
well-known in the field of biblical history, died on January 21.
Professor Malamat was a JUC instructor in 1994.
I leave you with a few new pictures that show
JUC in action. Maybe next year it can be you!
With blessings, and thanks,
Dr. Paul Wright
Director, JUC |
_small.jpg)