Journeying with Paul: Insights from Course Instructors
There are many courses available today about the Apostle Paul (Shaul in Hebrew). How many of them are taught by instructors that can say they have lived, traveled and ministered in many of the same places as Paul?
Michael Kerem MA, and Baruch Kvasnica PhD (ABD), can. Residents of the Jerusalem area, both Michael and Baruch have deep ties to the Lands of the Bible that give them a “living” window into the life of Paul.
Michael, though based near Jerusalem, has ministered extensively in the Eastern Mediterranean, as Paul did. He leads Derech Avraham, an “Isaiah 19 Highway” related ministry based in Jerusalem that focuses on building partnerships around the Middle East for practical ministry initiatives. He has also been teaching in higher level academic institutions about Paul and his life since 1997.
Baruch has been teaching the Bible in Israel in various educational institutions including Hebrew University for two decades as well as teaching educational tours in Israel, Jordan, Turkey and Greece for 25 years. This gives him a holistic perspective into the life of Paul as a Jewish apostle to the nations (Baruch is also president-elect of the seminary, so it is truly a treat to have him as co-instructor).
We had the privilege of digging deeper into this exciting new course with the instructors themselves for a unique interview.
What inspired you to create a course focused on Paul and his influence as a Jewish Apostle to the nations?
Michael: As a Jewish follower of Yeshua, I sensed a call to the Muslim world that subsequently led me to Turkey and a ministry among Turkish and Kurdish speaking Muslims. After serving the Lord in Turkey where I met and married my wife, a Turkish-Armenian believer in Jesus, we subsequently were led to Israel as a base to go out to the Muslim world, and specifically to the lands of the Isaiah 19 Highway prophetic promise. As I began to travel from Israel to the rest of the Middle East, and specifically Turkey, I sensed this parallels the calling and work of Shaul/Paul, the Jewish apostle to the nations. That ultimately led me to the realization that his life and ministry embodied Israel’s call to be a light to the nations.
Baruch: I have studied Paul so much because I desired to make sense of his writings and his life. I was already wrestling with the Jewish Apostle to the Nations, when I was given the opportunity to start teaching “Journeys of Paul” study tours in Greece and Turkey in 1999, and I was thrilled. Ever since then I have been seeking to bring a holistic perspective on Paul for the Body of Messiah.One that is academically responsible and that inspires the heart and mind to a life of godliness.
Describe where you have lived and/or ministered that is relevant to Paul’s life and travels.
Michael: We lived in Turkey, beginning in Istanbul and then in Izmir, then moving to ancient Smyrna. We then lived in Gaziantep in SE Turkey, the region of ancient Mesopotamia, as well ministering in E. Turkey and N. Iraq for many years. After immigrating to Israel in 1992, I taught a class on the Life of Shaul/Paul and his Jewish background from 1998-2003.The course included an extended field study component in Turkey.
Baruch: The combination of growing up in the USA, as well as the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, has helped to teach me to be content in a variety of circumstances (Phil 4:11). But moving to Israel in 1995 has probably been the most relevant to Paul’s life as he “grew up in Jerusalem from a young age” (Acts 22:3). I moved here as a young adult but being here has helped me appreciate his Jewish context so much more.
What excites you most about this course?
Michael: The life and ministry of the Apostle Paul are still subjects of both immense personal interest and relevance to the work that God has called our family to since arriving in Israel.
Baruch: I love putting the “Paul puzzle” together in order to find that with a deeper understanding of his Jewish and Hellenistic contexts, the difficulties of understanding Paul are greatly reduced.
What are some key themes and theological concepts students will explore throughout the course?
Michael: Some key concepts include: Paul’s formation of the New Covenant message while at the same time dealing with opposition from his brothers according to the flesh (the Jews), his passion for the unity of the faith while contending for the simplicity of the message, and finally his emphasis on both the power of the gospel and the grace of God to overcome all barriers.
Baruch: A key theme will be how Paul’s Jewish and Hebraic context shaped his New Covenant message and then infused his teaching to Godfearers/redeemed Gentiles in the Diaspora. We will explore the rich tension of grace and the Spirit with the demands of Paul’s Gospel message.
What aspect of Paul’s life and the cultures and lands he traveled do you find most compelling or challenging, and why?
Michael: Paul’s life in many ways was filled not only with passion for the gospel of the Kingdom, but is also such a paradox in many ways. He was a Hebrew of Hebrews called to the Gentiles, but retained a heart for his brothers according to the flesh. I am also compelled by many of the accounts of his travels in Acts which are detailed in the defense of his ministry in 2 Corinthians.
Baruch: I find Paul’s flexibility compelling: while he put love and relationships first, he was also firm in his convictions (Gal 2) and zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). I find the challenges that Paul and the early Yeshua-communities had with paganism/polytheism to be remarkable, but his and their success inspire us today to overcome some of the modern gods of entertainment, materialism and secularism.
How does the course help students apply the lessons from Paul’s life and the book of Acts to contemporary issues?
Michael: I sense we are moving into a period of history that is remarkably similar to the first century in the Second Temple period. It also seems to be marked by significant changes in the Christian world that will force us to more closely study the spiritual formation and leadership development in the early church. This period will demand a more costly price for those following the Lord with all their heart, and obeying his command to disciple all nations.
Baruch: Rooting our spiritual life in the Hebrew Scriptures and in the Holy Spirit, like Paul and the early followers of Yeshua did, will empower us to live authentic lives of discipleship today amidst challenges and evil. Paul’s vision of the practical kingdom of God in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthans 4 is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago!
How has your own study of Paul and the book of Acts influenced your personal faith or academic perspective?
Michael: The book of Acts plays such a crucial role not only in the life of the believer today, but it also serves as a bridge between the gospels and the letters. Can you imagine what the New Testament would be like without the book of Acts? I think it is safe to say that both the book of Acts and the letters of Paul, besides the Gospels, have had more impact on the development of the church than any other body of writing in the Bible. Paul’s life, mission and methodology are subjects that need to be studied by all who desire to serve the Lord across cultural and geographical boundaries as we contend to obey and fulfill God’s purpose and plan from Genesis to Revelation.
Baruch: Paul is a hero of mine since I’ve been able to unpack the difference between “works,” “works of the Law,” and “Law.” This has rehabilitated my understanding of Paul by wiping away much misunderstanding and confusion, and this breathes life into my walk with the Lord. Studying and seeing the actual places in Paul’s journeys has reaffirmed my faith and emboldens me to follow Paul’s teachings and life (2 Tim 3:10) in the real world and “walk in newness of life.”
Sign up for credit or audit to take an incredible journey with Paul, Michael and Baruch.