JUC Online Summer Institute

Summer Institute Online Studies

JUC Online Summer Institute is a six-week online study experience. Each study is composed of six engaging, 90-minute lectures taught live online by JUC instructors who have spent extensive time living and working in the Middle East. Note: these studies are not offered for credit.

 

Summer Dates: 15 May - 23 June, 2023

Note: Courses are listed in Eastern Time Zone.

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Myth and Reality

Wednesdays 11:00am-12:30pm Eastern Time

Instructor: Dr. Adolfo Roitman

$189

Since the discovery of the first Dead Sea Scrolls by Bedouins in one of the caves near Qumran in 1947, this archaeological find became a turning point in the study of the ancient world. For the first time we got in our hands original documents from 2000 years ago, discovered in a controlled archaeological and historical context. This course aims to provide participants with basic information about the discovery, both in its archaeological (Khirbet Qumran, caves, and cemetery) and literary (biblical, apocryphal, and sectarian manuscripts) aspects. The final purpose is to equip the students with the necessary resources so that from this course on they can continue to discover on their own new aspects of this unique discovery in the history of mankind.

This study will not offer recorded lectures.

Faculty Biography

Dr. Adolfo Roitman: M.A., University of Buenos Aires; M.A., Ph.D., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Ordained rabbi. Curator and Director, The Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum. Published author. Began teaching at JUC in 2017.

Genesis 1-3 in its Ancient Near Eastern Context

Mondays 9:30pm-11:00pm Eastern Time

Instructor: Dr. Oliver Hersey

$189

Studying the opening chapters of Genesis requires an examination into how people in the ancient world understood both themselves and their surrounding environment. Join us this summer as we explore cosmogony, God and his creation, human origins and relationships, the beginnings of evil, and the geographic realities preserved in Genesis 1-3. The course explores each of these topics in their ancient Near Eastern context with the aim of deepening appreciation and understanding of God and His Word.

This study is offered live online with lecture recordings provided.

Faculty Biography

Dr. Oliver Hersey: B.A. in Mathematics, Calvin College; M.A. in Biblical Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Languages, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Ph.D. in Old Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. President of Jerusalem University College. Began teaching at JUC in 2021.

The Zionist Idea

Thursdays 11:00am-12:30pm Eastern Time

Instructor: Dr. Jonathan Kaplan

$189

No movement in modern Jewish history has had a greater impact on Jewish life than Zionism. Bringing millions of Jews together in a new state, the movement has radically altered the way in which Jews view themselves and the nature of their internal relations as well as their interaction with the surrounding society. This course will examine the origins of Zionism, the influence of other ideologies and cultural settings on Zionist ideology, and Jewish alternatives to the movement. Finally, the course will study the changes and challenges that Zionism has faced since the establishment of the State of Israel.

This study is offered live online with lecture recordings provided.

Faculty Biography

Dr. Jonathan Kaplan: B.A., M.A., Ph.D., in Modern Jewish History, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Recipient of the Herzl Fellows Award. Past Vice Provost, Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Born in the U.S., resided in Israel since 1972. Published author. Began teaching at JUC in 1986.

Summer Dates: 16 May - 27 June, 2022

Note: Courses are listed in Eastern Time Zone.

 

Egypt and the Old Testament

Wednesdays 08:00pm-09:30pm Eastern Time

Instructors: Dr. Mark Janzen
After Israel, Egypt is mentioned more than any other nation in the Old Testament, and within its territory, the two greatest events of salvation history occurred, namely the Exodus and the Sinai theophany and covenant ceremony. This course seeks to investigate these events in their historical and geographical contexts, providing students with a range of scholarly interpretations of the events and their historicity. After the Exodus, Israel continued to have political and military dealings with Egypt until the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, including Solomon’s marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter, the invasion of Shishak, and the events that ended King Josiah's life. The course will conclude with an examination of these events of the Iron Age through Egyptian archaeological and textual sources, seeking to provide additional context for these later references to Egypt in the Hebrew Bible.

Faculty Biography

Dr. Mark Janzen: B.A. in Biblical Languages, Central Bible College; M.A. in Archaeology and Semitic Languages, Trinity Evangel Divinity School; Ph.D. in Ancient History, University of Memphis. Assistant Professor of History, Louisiana Christian University. Associate Professor of Archaeology, Lipscomb University, starting Fall 2022. Deputy Director of the Karnak Great Hypostyle Hall Project in Luxor, Egypt. Published author. Begins teaching at JUC in 2022.

Geographical Lenses on Ezekiel

Thursdays 08:00pm-09:30pm Eastern Time

Instructors: Dr. Elaine and Dr. Perry Phillips
Studying Ezekiel, who prophesied from exile, requires expanding our focus beyond the geographical boundaries of the promised Land. This brief introduction will address Ezekiel’s messages to the communities in Jerusalem and Babylon during the grim final years of the first temple. Join us as we explore Judah’s idolatry, the covenant sanctions, the oracles against surrounding foreign nations, the hope God’s people found in His promised forthcoming justice, and the visions of renewal – realities we might call “eschatological geography.”

Faculty Biographies

Dr. Elaine Phillips: B.A. in Social Psychology, Cornell University; M.Div., Biblical Theological Seminary; M.A. in Hebrew, Institute of Holy Land Studies; Ph.D. in Rabbinic Literature, The Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning. Professor Emerita of Biblical and Theological Studies, Gordon College. Published author. Began teaching at JUC in 1997.

Dr. Perry Phillips: B.A. in Physics, Beloit College; M.Div., Biblical Theological Seminary; M.A. in Hebrew, Institute of Holy Land Studies; Ph.D. in Astrophysics, Cornell University. Former adjunct faculty, Gordon College. Published author. Began teaching at JUC in 1977.

The Jewish Context of Jesus and the New Testament

Tuesdays 09:00pm-10:30pm Eastern Time

Instructors: Dr. Oliver Hersey and Dr. Joel Willitts
This course is a brief survey of the history, archaeology, culture, and literature of Second Temple Judaism, the context of Jesus, and the New Testament. Students will be introduced to the key events of the Jewish story and significant people who shaped that story, deepening their appreciation for Jesus’ life and ministry and its apostolic witness.

Faculty Biographies

Dr. Oliver Hersey: B.A. in Mathematics, Calvin College; M.A. in Biblical Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Languages, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Ph.D. in Old Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. President of Jerusalem University College. Began teaching at JUC in 2021.

Dr. Joel Willitts: B.S. in Church Ministry, Liberty University; Th.M. in Old & New Testament, Dallas Theological Seminary; M.Phil., Ph.D. in New Testament, Cambridge University. Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, North Park University. Published author. Begins teaching at JUC in 2022.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we offer technical assistance through our North American office that operates from 9:00am-5:00pm EST. You are welcome to contact our team at support@juc.edu with your questions.

Yes! Each summer study is offered live at a different time, so you may register for as many as you would like.

There are no scholarships available for the JUC Online Summer Institute. However, we are pleased to offer these summer studies as our most accessible and affordable learning opportunity.

Lecture recordings may be provided at the discretion of each instructor for later viewing. Please be aware that the JUC Summer Institute is intended to be experienced online in live time.

Registration Now Closed

Registration for JUC Online Summer Institute 2023 is now closed.

Summer Institute Overview

  • WHO: Open to All

  • WHEN: 15 May - 23 June

  • PRICE: $189 per Study

  • COURSE CREDIT: No Credit Offered

  • DEADLINE TO REGISTER: 19 May