SOME MAY BE CURIOUS AS TO WHAT WE’RE UP TO IN THE JEWISH CHRISTIAN STUDIES PROGRAM. THIS IS A BRIEF INTRODUCTION INTO WHAT WE STUDY IN THE TWO CLASSES OFFERED THIS PAST SEMESTER, AND FUTURE COURSES.

 In History of Judaism (REL/HST 345), we are discovering the history of what is commonly called the “Second Temple Period” of Judaism. It is during this time period that the original kingdom of Judah falls to the Babylonians, that the first Exile begins, and that Judaism finally emerges as a real, conscious religion rather than simply part of a national identity. From the Exile forward, Jews recognized more fully the monotheistic God of all nations, and they struggled to understand how best to live under the Law of Moses, the Torah. It is called the Second Temple Period because the Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s temple, and the Persians allowed the Jews to rebuild a smaller version of the temple, which was completed in 515 BCE. In the latter half of this time period, Jesus was born, and we have the emergence of both fledgling Christianity and the rabbinical tradition. 

    In Jews, Christians, Muslims (PHL/REL 245), the focus is upon understanding the intersections and deviations of the three monotheistic traditions. Judaism is the oldest of these traditions, and thus informs both Christianity and Islam to a surprising degree. By comparing the various religions’ ideas of God, ethics, worship, and politics, we are able to trace these connections as well as appreciate more fully the differences. We have taken a cursory look at the Talmud, have recognized the structure and history of the Hebrew Bible, and have read about Kabbalah, which is Jewish mysticism. We have learned the history of Muhammad and the Qu’ran. We have also explored the creedal development in Christianity. In every case, our conversation circles from questions and comments about Judaism and Islam to comparisons and explorations of Christianity. 

    In both courses, we will be taking a field trip to Sha’are Emeth synagogue in St. Louis, MO, for a Shabbat service. We will also be going to the Holocaust Museum in St. Louis. One of our supporters, Dr. William Bean, will be giving a talk about the Dead Sea Scrolls at a church in St. Louis, and we will be attending that as well. In this way, we’re trying to provide students not merely with book knowledge but with real interaction and conversations with our Jewish neighbors. We will also be having our own Passover Seder dinner on or around April 12. 

    In both classes, students wrestle with the Old Testament and how best to understand Scripture. They recognize more fully how Jesus was Jewish, and the traditions and beliefs that made up his culture and heritage; and they discover how their own faith is both challenged and deepened by exploring these topics in greater depth. In this way, the Jewish Christian Studies program demonstrates and supports Greenville College’s mission and message—to transform our students for lives of character and service. All truth is God’s truth, indeed!