Our Rabbi Jesus

About Lois Tverberg

I’ve always enjoyed discovering the answers to head-scratching questions and sharing the “ah-hah” moments with others. For years I did this as a professor of Biology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where I taught physiology and molecular & cell biology. I received my Ph.D. in Physiology from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1993.

About thirteen years ago I also began studying the Bible in its historical context. All of a sudden I started finding answers to questions that had bothered me for ages, and many insights that deepened my faith. I’ve since traveled to Israel several times on land study trips, and also taken courses in Hebrew and Greek.

In January 2001 I partnered with a friend to begin a ministry called the En-Gedi Resource Center, which had the goal of teaching Christians about the Bible in its cultural context. We hosted seminars, taught in churches and coordinated study trips to Israel, and also published books and audio/video materials. Many of my articles are still on the En-Gedi website. In 2004 we published a book of my writing called Listening to the Language of the Bible and later a Companion Bible Study for that book. In 2006 I edited New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus: Insights from His Jewish Context, by David Bivin.

In January 2007, I became a freelance writer. My first book, Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, co-authored with Ann Spangler, will be released by Zondervan in March 2009. After that, I’ll be writing another book for Zondervan on the Jewish life and words of Jesus.

Along with writing, I also speak publicly. To invite me to speak to your group, please contact me at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with the dates of your event, estimated number of people in attendance, and other details. Presentations topics include: The Jewishness of Jesus: How Can it Deepen Christian Faith? ; Our Rabbi, Our Shepherd: Making Disciples Jesus’ Way; and Learning to Pray as Our Rabbi Jesus Did.

Never married, I’m the youngest of seven children. Many of my family are in Minnesota. The name Tverberg (”tuh-VER-berg”) is of Norwegian descent, and I’m 100% Norwegian on both sides. I grew up saying “Uff-da” and living a life that would provide Garrison Keeler with many a laugh. For fun I enjoy gardening and handicrafts. When I’m not at home writing with my three cats curled up around me, or out having coffee and a great conversation with a friend, I’m often visiting family, doing my best to be a loving daughter, sister and aunt.