Rediscovering the Art of Dynamic Bible Study
Rev. John shares an impromptu but deeply insightful conversation with Dr. Derek Suderman of Conrad Grebel University College. A Hebrew Bible scholar and gifted teacher, Derek reflects on how Bible study can move beyond information to transformation. Drawing from years of teaching across cultural and denominational contexts, he explores what it means to read Scripture carefully, collaboratively, and with curiosity. From the “Catching the Spark” Ruth series to his vision for dynamic Bible study, Derek invites us to slow down, listen to one another, and rediscover the joy of communal interpretation. This conversation is a reminder that the Bible isn’t meant to be mastered alone—but explored together in community.
About Derek Suderman
Derek Suderman teaches in both the undergraduate Religious Studies and graduate Master of Theological Studies programs. In addition to his textual work as a Hebrew Bible/Old Testament scholar, Suderman explores how diverse cultural and historical contexts inform biblical interpretation and ethical discernment.
Suderman explores the language and cultures of the Bible, often making what students expect to be familiar look quite strange; this in turn provides students with a mirror to see their own settings and beliefs in a new way. He believes that being part of a 'living tradition' involves not simply defending this tradition but recognizing problems and blind spots within it. Suderman proves particularly interested in exploring how the Bible has been used to both justify and oppose violence within the broad history of the Christian tradition.
Suderman has broad research interests, including investigating: the socialaudience of the Psalms; gendered and other forms of violence in the prophets; wisdom literature as a resource for contemporary interfaith dialogue and cooperation; and the ethical implications of biblical interpretation, focused particularly on violence in the Bible and contemporary issues related to Indigenous peoples. Suderman loves to travel and has taught or made academic presentations on 5 continents.
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Transcript
Coming soon.