This lecture has been completed
Dr. Cyndi Parker
Join us for a rich and enlightening lecture from Dr. Cyndi Parker focusing on her new book Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels. We hope to draw participants into a deeper understanding of ancient Israel and first-century Judaism—the clothing, setting, political climate, and more—all to better understand Jesus’ ministry.
This is an approachable and conversational lecture that introduces the participant to the complex human world of Jesus. Have you ever wondered if it is important that Jesus grew up in Nazareth but moved his public ministry to Capernaum, even though Jerusalem was the capital of Jewish thought? Does it seem strange to you that Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes held significantly divergent religious views, even though they were all Jewish? In this lecture, Dr. Cyndi Parker will discuss her research into through the intriguing drama of history that created the context of first-century Judaism.
Participants will be challenged to take a new look at the long drama of God’s interactions with humanity that reach a climax in the life of Jesus.
My Story
I think it was the end of high school, or maybe it was during college, that I realized I was nomadic and had an unquenchable thirst for adventure and new experiences. Setting out to see the whole country and to live in new places was addicting. I was enthusiastic about going anywhere in the world, and if that meant traveling somewhere I had never been, then I liked the idea even more! As I moved to different cities and investigated new careers, I proudly told people, “I am a citizen of the world, and a resident of no place."
My satisfaction in being a resident of no place did not change until I went to Israel to complete Masters level courses in biblical studies. For the first time, I paid close attention to the impact of physical place on people. I observed land that had sufficient resources to support large, dominating empires in contrast to land that had minimal resources to support a small, local community. Places with dry limestone and minimal rainfall dictate a shepherding lifestyle for the people who live there, while rich soil and adequate water allow permanent communities to develop alongside rich farmlands. In my quest to analyze and understand the biblical narrative, I found that I needed to analyze and understand the place of the biblical narrative.
For my Ph.D. dissertation I pursued the connection between the modern analysis of place and biblical studies. Although I confined my work to the book of Deuteronomy, I was struck by how applicable the biblical instructions for investing in place are to modern societies. I am challenged by the call to take seriously our responsibility for physical place, be it our homes, churches, or surrounding countryside.
The slow realization that place is not just a mute backdrop for human life but that it contributes its own drama to the human story became the unifying factor for several of my diversified interests. I create educational trips to Israel to connect people with the cultural, religious, and geographical context of the Bible. I teach in universities and churches about the biblical narrative and the biblical views of investing in place. I write articles on the importance of investing in place to invest in people.
Of the utmost significance, I am wrestling with the idea of being a citizen of the world as well as being an invested resident of place.