Learn about the connection between Israel’s story and Israel’s theology as recorded in the Hebrew Bible (“Old Testament”), with an eye toward interpreting both Hebrew and Christian scriptures and theology today.
This Adult Faith Formation class will be led by the Rev. Dr. Fred Neidner and will be held via Zoom from 9:00 a.m. to noon on January 18 and 25, February 8 and 22, and March 8 and 22. The cost is $25 for general learners and $50 for synod-authorized ministry students.
The Hebrew Bible developed over 1,000 years as Israel’s canon of foundational literature. Each piece, whether story, law code, oracle, or song, had an intimate connection to a historical moment in Israel’s history of living as God’s chosen people. Since Jesus and the first Christians were observant Jews, Christianity and its scriptures (New Testament) are incomprehensible without some understanding of Israel’s faith, identity, hope, and theology as these find expression in the Hebrew Bible. This course will probe the intricate connections between Israel’s story and Israel’s theology, with an eye toward how each is critical for interpreting both Hebrew and Christian scriptures and theology today.
The Rev. Dr. Fred Niedner taught biblical studies in Valparaiso University’s Department of Theology for 40 years. As a “senior research professor” since 2014, he remains involved with Valpo’s Institute of Liturgical Studies, gives occasional lectures in the university’s honors college, and contributes regularly to publications that serve the ministry of preaching.