Israelite Creation in Context

Dr. Nicholas J. Schaser, Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies

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Course Info

The first chapters of Genesis are among the best known in the entire Bible – and the most debated. For many readers, the biblical creation story represents a rift between Scripture and Science; others attempt to interpret Genesis in light of scientific discoveries. But what if there’s more to the creation narrative than the so-called origins debate? In this course, you will look behind the curtain of ancient Israel to see what Genesis 1-3 really meant in its original Hebrew context. So much of our modern understanding is based on our modern knowledge. But what if we look at the verses and lean on the things that ancient Israelites and the neighbors knew and understood? Our understanding of what happened in Eden may take on a different shape. In this course, you will encounter the familiar creation stories from an ancient Israelite perspective and ponder Israel’s priestly polemic against other Near Eastern ideas about life reality.

About Author

Dr. Nicholas J. Schaser

Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies

In addition to his work with Israel Bible Center as Professor of Hebrew Bible, Dr. Schaser is an Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies at Macalester College and the Adjunct Instructor of the New Testament at Bethel Seminary (both in St. Paul, Minnesota). Professor Schaser’s research interests include rabbinic literature and the Jewishness of the New Testament, with particular focus on Midrash and the Gospel of Matthew. Teaching widely in both synagogues and churches, Dr. Schaser strives to promote mutual learning and respect between Jews and Christians.

Dr. Schaser enjoys communicating with participants and asks that those with questions or comments please email him at: nschaser@israelbiblecenter.com.

*Please do not contact Macalester College or Vanderbilt University for correspondence with Dr. Schaser.

  • 19 Sessions With historical background and more
  • Earn your certificate in:
    • Jewish Context and Culture
    • Hebrew Bible
  • 1,655 Active Students From all over the world
  • 02:53 Hours Learn at your pace and convenience

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Materials

  • Lecture Notes for this Course
  • Plain Text notes for this Course
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  • Supplementary Content
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Audio lessons

  • 02. Divine Function in Genesis 08:12
  • 03. Creation and Separation 08:48
  • 04. Material vs. Functional Creation 09:30
  • 05. Making and Appointing 08:14
  • 06. Bringing Forth and Evolution 08:13
  • 07. Creation Polemics 10:38
  • 08. Knowing God Through His Creation 11:18
  • 09. Sanctifying Time vs. Space 10:03
  • 10. The Image and Likeness of God 06:46
  • 11. Archetypal Account of Genesis Ch. 2 09:41
  • 12. Mortality, Order, and Chaos 08:03
  • 13. Eden as a Sacred Space 06:28
  • 14. The First Woman 11:03
  • 15. Two Halves and One Flesh 06:57
  • 16. The Snake in Eden 07:37
  • 17. The Snake as Satan 11:12
  • 18. The Snake and Forbidden Fruit 11:02
  • 19. The Consequences of Disobedience 10:40

This course is part of a Learning Path

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Student Reviews

5

Overall student rates

Overall rating based on 75 reviews
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76 Total
  • E Seagraves

    Posted 2 weeks ago
    alot of points made that some scriptures are not taken from the hebrew text but interpeted differently. like to hear what the actual hebrew says
  • Lillie Robinson

    Posted 2 weeks ago
    Western interpretation totally missed the cultural meaning of the text.
  • Emanuel Higgins

    Posted 2 weeks ago
    good material. some of the it was a bit dense about the other texts; hard to follow but overall good.
  • Robert Driggers

    Posted 3 weeks ago
    Amazing really great and helpful 👍 😀
  • John Tanner

    Posted 3 weeks ago
    I would personally appreciate downloads to be made available which support the course content. Other than that.. the segment is absolutely amazing.

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