Fig Tree Ministries Podcast Scott Broberg

In today's lesson, we delve into the profound concept of the Logos, a pivotal term from John's Gospel that bridges Greek philosophy and biblical theology.

We begin by exploring the Greek word 'Logos,' traditionally translated as "Word," and its deep roots in ancient philosophical texts, including its usage by philosophers like Heraclitus and later by the Stoics.

We uncover how Logos was understood in the first-century Greco-Roman world—not just as a word but as a fundamental principle of rationality and order in the cosmos.

The lesson highlights how the Gospel of John presents Jesus as the divine Logos—embodying reason, order, and the active principle that continuously shapes the universe.

Join us to explore how this ancient concept enriches our understanding of Jesus as the "Word of God" and our interpretation of the scriptures.
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Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
https://amzn.to/3USMelI

www.figtreeteaching.com

Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/john-and-the-logos

YouTube: https://youtu.be/2ZlABVTskyE

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

References: (Affiliate Links)
From Logos to Trinity - https://www.adventistas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Marian_Hillar_From_Logos_to_Trinity__The_Evolution....pdf

(Amazon) Marian Hillar - From Logos to Trinity: The Evolution of Religious Beliefs from Pythagoras to Tertullian https://amzn.to/4bhRSTq

Learn About Christian Mysticism: A GREAT Resource!
Bernard McGinn - The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism - https://amzn.to/49dPX1j

William Countryman - The Mystical Way in the Fourth Gospel
https://amzn.to/49Frv9d

NT Wright - Following Jesus - see page 35 - https://amzn.to/49ntkYv

Jewish Annotated New Testament - see notes (pp. 178 (Cana), 185 (Official's son), 186 (healing lame), 188 (feeding), 196 (Blind Man), 200 (Lazarus), Crucifixion (God's Glory).
https://amzn.to/3Ot5cvu

Learn About Jewish Mysticism: (Affiliate links)

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Honey From The Rock - (my 1st choice!) https://amzn.to/497RIO9

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians - https://amzn.to/3OppXbs

Byron L. Sherman - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism - https://amzn.to/3ubdqBw

Today’s lesson explores the rich, dual-cultural context of the Gospel of John.

Born and raised in Israel, the Apostle John later moved to Ephesus, a vibrant city in the Roman province of Asia Minor. This geographical shift profoundly influenced how John communicated his truth about Jesus and the kingdom of God.

This lesson introduces how we can read John’s Gospel through both a Jewish and Greco-Roman cultural lens.

The Gospel of John is a thoroughly Jewish document proclaiming Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and the sovereign King of Israel. Yet, John's narrative is not solely confined to a Jewish audience. His teachings also reached out to the communities in and around Ephesus, where the presence of various Greek deities permeated everyday life.

In this lesson, we will examine how John communicates a Jewish message about Jesus as God’s anointed Messiah while also addressing the diverse spiritual landscape of Asia Minor, asserting Jesus' supremacy over all gods.

Our primary goal is to uncover how the Gospel was relevant to its first-century audience in Ephesus and what that means for us today. By understanding John's Gospel's original context and audience, we gain a deeper appreciation of its timeless message and its relevance in a pluralistic world.

This session is crucial for anyone looking to enrich their understanding of the Gospel of John and its application across different cultures and eras.
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Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
https://amzn.to/3USMelI

www.figtreeteaching.com

Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/johns-original-community-in-ephesus

YouTube: https://youtu.be/oQ3mYoyvJmI

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

References: (Affiliate Links)

Learn About Christian Mysticism: A GREAT Resource!
Bernard McGinn - The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism - https://amzn.to/49dPX1j

William Countryman - The Mystical Way in the Fourth Gospel
https://amzn.to/49Frv9d

NT Wright - Following Jesus - see page 35 - https://amzn.to/49ntkYv

Jewish Annotated New Testament - see notes (pp. 178 (Cana), 185 (Official's son), 186 (healing lame), 188 (feeding), 196 (Blind Man), 200 (Lazarus), Crucifixion (God's Glory).
https://amzn.to/3Ot5cvu

Learn About Jewish Mysticism: (Affiliate links)

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Honey From The Rock - (my 1st choice!) https://amzn.to/497RIO9

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians - https://amzn.to/3OppXbs

Byron L. Sherman - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism - https://amzn.to/3ubdqBw

At the heart of our faith lies an orchard, a place of deep contemplation and spiritual nourishment.

This orchard, known in Hebrew as PaRDeS—a Persian loanword meaning "walled garden" or "park"—serves as a gateway to exploring the boundless wisdom of the Bible.

But how do we navigate this orchard to uncover its rich fruits?

On this journey through God's orchard, we'll see the Bible's beauty and wisdom and learn key principles to understand its profound teachings.

Our exploration features a remarkable example from the Gospel of John, where a Remez weaves Abraham's narrative with John's revelations about God and His one and only Son. This simple "hint" brings forward the rich meaning of the story of Abraham and Isaac into that of God the Father and Jesus.

Join us on this enlightening adventure to pick and relish the nutritious fruits of the Bible.
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Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
https://amzn.to/3USMelI

www.figtreeteaching.com

Class Handout:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/exploring-the-orchard-prds-of-scripture

YouTube: https://youtu.be/SUdGl2a85Cg

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

References: (Affiliate Links)

Learn About Christian Mysticism: A GREAT Resource!
Bernard McGinn - The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism - https://amzn.to/49dPX1j

William Countryman - The Mystical Way in the Fourth Gospel
https://amzn.to/49Frv9d

NT Wright - Following Jesus - see page 35 - https://amzn.to/49ntkYv

Jewish Annotated New Testament - see notes (pp. 178 (Cana), 185 (Official's son), 186 (healing lame), 188 (feeding), 196 (Blind Man), 200 (Lazarus), Crucifixion (God's Glory).
https://amzn.to/3Ot5cvu

Learn About Jewish Mysticism: (Affiliate links)

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Honey From The Rock - (my 1st choice!) https://amzn.to/497RIO9

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians - https://amzn.to/3OppXbs

Byron L. Sherman - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism - https://amzn.to/3ubdqBw

The Four Senses of Scripture:

In today's lesson, we dive into the ancient and enduring methods used by both Judaism and Christianity to interpret the sacred texts of the Bible.

Throughout history, scholars and spiritual leaders have recognized that Scripture offers layers of meaning that can only be unlocked through diverse approaches to interpretation.

In this video, we introduce the four levels of interpretation, revealing how each layer offers unique insights into the divine messages contained within the Bible.
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Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
https://amzn.to/3USMelI

www.figtreeteaching.com

Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/four-senses-of-scripture

Seven Churches of Revelation:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/seven-churches-of-revelation1.html

YouTube: https://youtu.be/In0YUqMS0LM

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

References: (Affiliate Links)
William Countryman - The Mystical Way in the Fourth Gospel
https://amzn.to/49Frv9d

NT Wright - Following Jesus - see page 35 - https://amzn.to/49ntkYv

Jewish Annotated New Testament - see notes (pp. 178 (Cana), 185 (Official's son), 186 (healing lame), 188 (feeding), 196 (Blind Man), 200 (Lazarus), Crucifixion (God's Glory).
https://amzn.to/3Ot5cvu

Learn About Jewish Mysticism: (Affiliate links)

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Honey From The Rock - (my 1st choice!) https://amzn.to/497RIO9

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians - https://amzn.to/3OppXbs

Byron L. Sherman - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism - https://amzn.to/3ubdqBw

Learn About Christian Mysticism: A GREAT Resource!
Bernard McGinn - The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism - https://amzn.to/49dPX1j

In the Gospel of John, scholars identify a foundational literary structure known as the "Mystical Way" or the "Mystical Path."

This path represents the journey toward the ultimate desire of mystics—the profound union with God.

John's approach to guiding believers towards this union is subtly integrated into his gospel, utilizing selective narratives rather than explicit declarations.

For John, achieving union with God involves an enlightening process that bestows "New Life" upon the faithful.

Followers of Jesus within John's community are encouraged to embark on this path, which promises a gradual but continuous drawing closer to God as the true essence of reality unfolds before them.
------------------------------------------------------------
Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
https://amzn.to/3USMelI

www.figtreeteaching.com

Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/johns-path-to-god

Seven Churches of Revelation:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/seven-churches-of-revelation1.html

YouTube: https://youtu.be/1Ljo17HH-Is

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

References: (Affiliate Links)
William Countryman - The Mystical Way in the Fourth Gospel
https://amzn.to/49Frv9d

NT Wright - Following Jesus - see page 35 - https://amzn.to/49ntkYv

Jewish Annotated New Testament - see notes (pp. 178 (Cana), 185 (Official's son), 186 (healing lame), 188 (feeding), 196 (Blind Man), 200 (Lazarus), Crucifixion (God's Glory).
https://amzn.to/3Ot5cvu

Learn About Jewish Mysticism: (Affiliate links)

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Honey From The Rock - (my 1st choice!) https://amzn.to/497RIO9

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians - https://amzn.to/3OppXbs

Byron L. Sherman - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism - https://amzn.to/3ubdqBw

Learn About Christian Mysticism: A GREAT Resource!
Bernard McGinn - The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism - https://amzn.to/49dPX1j

In this lesson, we embark on the first installment of our upcoming series, where we delve into the Gospel of John from a mystical perspective.

The Gospel of John, often regarded as a mystical text, can be a source of confusion for many. In this session, our aim is to shed light on various aspects of Jewish mysticism and how they harmonize seamlessly with the Gospel of John.

Mystics are captivated by the essence of reality and often seek to perceive, with the mind, the mysteries beyond our ordinary sight. During this session, we will explore specific Bible verses that are central to mystical contemplation. These verses often revolve around moments in the Bible where the barrier separating humanity from God is momentarily lifted.

One such example is found in Ezekiel's first of two visions, as described in Ezekiel chapter One. The story commences with the heavens opening up, leading to a remarkable vision of the divine likeness on the throne—a likeness resembling a human form. This apparent paradox raises intriguing questions: How can the formless God possess an image resembling a man?

Join us as we embark on a journey to demystify the mystical and reveal how John's Gospel communicates the profound message of who Jesus truly is.
----------------------------------------------------------
Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries

www.figtreeteaching.com

Class Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/gospel-of-john

YouTube: https://youtu.be/5omWyxyfnLg

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

List of Signs from John - see either of the books below

NT Wright - Following Jesus - see page 35 - https://amzn.to/49ntkYv

Jewish Annotated New Testament - see notes (pp. 178 (Cana), 185 (Official's son), 186 (healing lame), 188 (feeding), 196 (Blind Man), 200 (Lazarus), Crucifixion (God's Glory).
https://amzn.to/3Ot5cvu

Learn About Jewish Mysticism: (Affiliate links)

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Honey From The Rock - (my 1st choice!) https://amzn.to/497RIO9

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Jewish Spirituality: A Brief Introduction for Christians - https://amzn.to/3OppXbs

Byron L. Sherman - Kabbalah: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism - https://amzn.to/3ubdqBw

Learn About Christian Mysticism: A GREAT Resource!
Bernard McGinn - The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism - https://amzn.to/49dPX1j