A Word from the Founder About the HHLC
Most biblical knowledge is based on religious observance, and is dictated by common assumptions and traditional understandings (often misunderstandings). The unfortunate reality is that most people who have some kind of faith invested in the Bible, and even the average American (whatever his or her faith may be), know very little about the Bible and the religious structures it supports. The goal of the Hebrew Heritage Learning Center is to answer this need.
Furthermore, the world is still in turmoil regarding the influence of radical factions of Islam. Since 9-11, many have sought answers as to why and how something like this could happen in America. The Islamic religion shares much of the same sacred history as Christianity and Judaism, making the Muslims a neighboring religion to the primary religion of America (Christianity) and also that of Israel (Judaism). It is my sincere conviction that public awareness of the history and particular facts involving these three world religions is an essential component in solving these world issues. For now, the HHLC is devoted to providing educational resource materials for learning about Christianity and some of Judaism; but in the future, resources for understanding more about Islam may be included.
Thus, the main purpose of the HHLC is to offer education in the Bible from an unbiased theological perspective. Someone who learns the Bible and its religious history in a denominational setting is only getting one kind of biblical understanding, colored by all the elements that make it unique. Conversely, someone who learns the Bible in a secular university setting will probably not learn much about the various kinds of biblical faiths and their influence. My goal, therefore, is to provide biblical education between these two extremes, not to promote faith (of any kind) in the Bible, but to educate believers and non-believers alike in both the facts and the theology. Christianity and Judaism are essentially all about the Bible; learning about them, and their particular forms, is learning about the Bible and the heritage of the Hebrew people.
Finally, in keeping with this purpose, I attempt to withhold my opinions, but obviously we all are indentured servants to the personal ideologies we espouse. Fortunately, my main ideology is the freedom of the human soul to believe and worship the way it chooses; and that cohersion is a violation of this right. Thus, when my opinions shine through, they are usually in the area of emphasizing an established or well-documented fact or point (the theological conclusions are usually a separate matter, or at least can be treated as such).
As far as what I personally believe, I may eventually start a separate site for propounding my thoughts upon religion more clearly. For those who would like to know more about my personal journey of faith, the Author's Preface of The New Testament Reference Guide offers a rather detailed progression of thought on my reasons for leaving my traditional Christian upbringing.
Furthermore, the world is still in turmoil regarding the influence of radical factions of Islam. Since 9-11, many have sought answers as to why and how something like this could happen in America. The Islamic religion shares much of the same sacred history as Christianity and Judaism, making the Muslims a neighboring religion to the primary religion of America (Christianity) and also that of Israel (Judaism). It is my sincere conviction that public awareness of the history and particular facts involving these three world religions is an essential component in solving these world issues. For now, the HHLC is devoted to providing educational resource materials for learning about Christianity and some of Judaism; but in the future, resources for understanding more about Islam may be included.
Thus, the main purpose of the HHLC is to offer education in the Bible from an unbiased theological perspective. Someone who learns the Bible and its religious history in a denominational setting is only getting one kind of biblical understanding, colored by all the elements that make it unique. Conversely, someone who learns the Bible in a secular university setting will probably not learn much about the various kinds of biblical faiths and their influence. My goal, therefore, is to provide biblical education between these two extremes, not to promote faith (of any kind) in the Bible, but to educate believers and non-believers alike in both the facts and the theology. Christianity and Judaism are essentially all about the Bible; learning about them, and their particular forms, is learning about the Bible and the heritage of the Hebrew people.
Finally, in keeping with this purpose, I attempt to withhold my opinions, but obviously we all are indentured servants to the personal ideologies we espouse. Fortunately, my main ideology is the freedom of the human soul to believe and worship the way it chooses; and that cohersion is a violation of this right. Thus, when my opinions shine through, they are usually in the area of emphasizing an established or well-documented fact or point (the theological conclusions are usually a separate matter, or at least can be treated as such).
As far as what I personally believe, I may eventually start a separate site for propounding my thoughts upon religion more clearly. For those who would like to know more about my personal journey of faith, the Author's Preface of The New Testament Reference Guide offers a rather detailed progression of thought on my reasons for leaving my traditional Christian upbringing.
