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“Nothing Can Compare to First-hand Experience in the Holy Land”
Roy
Fisher—The ninetyandnine.com Interview
Interviewed
By Kent d Curry February 20, 2006
An introduction
from Robin Huffman:
I first became acquainted with Roy Fisher a couple of years ago
through the
Urshan Graduate School of Theology annual symposium. He has been a regular
participant, presenting a paper at the last three symposiums. More recently, I
had the privilege of working with him at the
International Biblical College Jerusalem.
A firm believer in Apostolics obtaining higher education, he has
a Masters in Biblical Language (with research language competencies in Spanish,
Hebrew (modern and biblical), Koine Greek, German, and Aramaic from Graduate
Theological Union in Berkeley, CA and is currently working on his Ph.D. at
Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel.
Far from the average 20something, he has served on numerous
community educational committees and public school boards while also assisting
in his home church in Oroville, CA and serving as a sectional youth director and
Western District UPCI Youth Committee member. Fisher has also been an AIMer in
Uganda and participated in various projects around the globe, one of which
includes being influential in the founding of International Biblical College
Jerusalem.
After having
worked with him, I can say that he exemplifies the fact that it is indeed
possible for an Apostolic to acquire higher education and not only maintain a
Christ-centered life, but, more importantly, gain an increasing passion for
Christ and ministry in the process. He has a sincere desire to allow God to use
him wherever and in whatever capacity He directs; sharing anointed insight from
the education and experiences he has been blessed to receive. As a result, I am
confident this class, which Christian Life College, Gateway College of
Evangelism and Great Lakes University will all grant elective credit to any of
their students who take the class, will prove to be more than just another
academic experience or Holy Land tour but, a spiritually enriching week.
This interview
took place over mid-February 2006.
---------
90&9: You’ve
got an exciting college class coming up that is open to students worldwide. Tell
us about it!
RAF: “The Bible and Its World” is a unique class that
we are offering this summer, 2006. This study abroad program in Israel is one
of a kind in the Apostolic movement as far as we are aware of. It is a unique
opportunity to put the study of the Bible in its historical and cultural
context.
90&9: Where
will this class be taught?
RAF: The class will be taught in Jerusalem, Israel at
the International Biblical College Jerusalem.
90&9: Has
this course ever been offered before?
RAF: We have never offered anything like this and we
are not aware of this exact type of program ever being offered before by Oneness
Apostolics.
90&9: What
will make this course exceptional for participating students?
RAF: Nothing can compare to first-hand experience.
Books and videos just cannot compare to actually standing on the 1st
century Herodian streets that Jesus walked. No other Apostolic program gives
you the chance to study and read about the idols in the Bible and then to go
look at an actual statue/idol of Ba’al or Ashtoroth. In addition, Christian
Life College, Gateway College of Evangelism, and Great Lakes University have
agreed to grant elective credit to any of their students who take our class.
90&9: So
what does a statue/idol of Ba’al or Ashtoroth look like and where would they be
viewed?
RAF: Both of these statues can be found in the Bible
Lands museum, which we will visit as part of our class. As to what they
actually look like . . . I guess you will have to take the class.
90&9: What
are some areas of study that will be covered in this class?
RAF: The class will involve four days of
lecture/classroom instruction covering: Near Eastern religions (survey and
comparison of, both spatially and temporally, contemporary religions to the
Bible), geography of the Bible, historical issues, the Intertestamental Period,
and textual/cannon issues.
We will also
have two days of field excursions: The Bible Lands museum (a historical journey
through the world of the Bible) and the Wohl Archeological park outside the old
city walls (including a tour of the Western Wall tunnel excavations)…
The class will
also sponsor two optional guided trips (not included in the class) to
Qumran/Masada and Galilee that students will have a chance to participate in
during the allotted free time for a small additional transport fee.
90&9: But
why would a non-minister/theology student want to take this course?
RAF: This class will benefit anyone who wishes to read
the Bible with an increased awareness for the context and life of the text
itself. The Bible was not written in the Midwestern United States but in a land
and culture very different from that of Middle America. If you want your
personal devotion and study of the Bible to take on a new dimension, this class
is for you.
90&9: What
are the minimum academic requirements for participating students?
RAF: Essentially the class is structured at the
undergraduate level. The class will be taught at an introductory level due to
the wide range of material covered. Prospective students need not have a
background in biblical studies or theology. The primary requirement for the
class is a willingness and desire to study and learn. We are open to auditors
and people who wish to take the class for personal development.
90&9: Is the
class just for Apostolics?
RAF: No, the class is not a theology class. One could
say that the course is oriented toward those issues that will allow us to be
responsible interpreters of the text when we do theology, but it will not be
taught as a theology class. Anyone wishing to develop a better understanding of
the culture and context of the Bible would enjoy the class.
90&9: Why
are you teaching the course?
RAF: This is an area of personal interest to me. The
academic study of the Bible has so enriched my own personal and spiritual life,
I felt if I could share some of the insights/knowledge I have acquired it would
be the least I could do. The class was born out of this desire of mine to share
the richness of the biblical text.
90&9: So why
don’t you tell us a little about your academic background.
RAF: I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Physics
with minors in Chemistry and Religious Studies from the California State
University at Chico. In addition, I have a Masters Degree in Biblical Language
from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. I also studied First
Temple Biblical Hebrew at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem while completing my
Master’s degree.
90&9: Wow!
What are you studying in Israel now?
RAF: Currently, I am working on my Ph.D. in the field
of Near Eastern Religion. At this point, I am focusing on the literary concept
of intertexuality and the formation of Christian scripture at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem. I have been in Israel since October 2005, but this is
only the latest of numerous trips to Israel. I have brought several tour groups
to Israel and I also spent time studying at the Hebrew University while
completing a Master’s degree in Berkeley.
90&9: Aren’t
you also working in Israel?
RAF: Technically, no. I volunteer at the
International Biblical College Jerusalem. I serve as the Academic Dean,
administrator, professor, general-all-around-whatever-needs-to-be-done-person at
the present. Currently there are extension sites in Tel Aviv and Bethlehem to
serve those who are not able to attend classes in Jerusalem.
As you may
know, the State of Israel really only officially recognizes one Christian group
and that is the Catholic Church. Other groups are tolerated as long as they
maintain low profiles and do not try to convert anyone. We do allow our
facilities to be used by Apostolics and I just happen to be present every Sunday
and often give “lectures” to one of these groups.
90&9: What’s
the best part about studying in Israel?
RAF: The context is unbeatable. As I mentioned above,
the first-hand experience is unforgettable.
90&9: In
what ways is it unforgettable? RAF: I’ll never forget the
first time I saw the Dead Sea Scrolls. Right in front of me in a glass case
were Old Testament manuscripts more than 2,000 years old. In my personal
library I have some books that are over 100 years old, but these manuscripts
were already in use when Jesus was born. Another unforgettable experience was
the first time I walked along the excavated Herodian street outside the old city
wall. The street still has the large stones pushed down from the wall by the
Romans when they destroyed the Temple in 70
ce.
90&9: Have
you found Scripture coming alive by living in the Holy Land?
RAF: It is one thing to read in a book or see in a
video, but it is entirely something different to be there. When you read about
Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee or the disciples fishing—what can you
imagine? I used to try and picture Him walking on the lake not far from my
home, but when I took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee my conceptual image of
those texts changed forever.
90&9: How
did your image of this event change?
RAF: In all truth, I really had no idea what it would
have looked like. As I mentioned, I would try to visualize Him walking on the
lake near my home but it just seemed like the image was always incomplete and
artificial. On a recent boat ride on the Sea of Galilee the weather was
absolutely fantastic. The water was so calm it looked like glass. A friend and
I were sitting on the side of the boat talking about the Gospel accounts of
Jesus on the Sea of Galilee and I told him that I had this overwhelming urge to
just take a stroll . . . I didn’t, but I could just see an impulsive Peter
stepping out of the boat. It’s difficult to explain, but take the class and
you’ll understand what I mean.
90&9: What’s
been a highlight since you began living in Israel?
RAF: I don’t know that I could point to a specific
event. I think that it is just the overall atmosphere that appeals to me.
Every day I am surrounded by an amazing array of culture and history.
90&9: What
was your lowest moment so far?
RAF: Again, a particular moment doesn’t come to mind.
At times the isolation and separation from family and friends can be a bit
rough. I can’t exactly jump in the car and drive to visit folks. Email is
great but it doesn’t always get the job done. For Christmas I opened gifts with
my family via cell phone, which was nice.
90&9: Do you
ever worry for your physical safety?
RAF: I take a very pragmatic approach. My feeling is
that if God can’t take care of me here then He can’t take care of me anywhere.
But, in answer to your question, there are times when I feel a bit uneasy. In
general there is nothing to worry about. Something like more than three million
people visit Israel every year and return home safe.
90&9: So
fill us in on the details of the course—dates, cost, travel package, and contact
information!
RAF: A couple of quick comments: we are expecting
students from all over the world to attend and as such we are trying to make the
class as affordable as possible. We are more than willing to work with students
to help make their travel arrangements, but the student will be responsible for
their own transport to and from Israel. We are not offering an airfare package
as students can often find cheaper flights closer to their hometowns. It is the
student’s responsibility to get to Israel. Once the students arrive in Jerusalem
we will handle the accommodations/arrangements here on the ground.
Class Dates:
July 10-18, 2006 (9 days of life changing experience…)
Registration
Deadline: Applications and deposit must be received by May 1, 2006.
Price: $500.00
(includes: tuition, two days of field excursions, and dorm accommodations
including breakfast)
