Thursday, February 28, 2019

Learn How Your Smartphone Can Make the Bible Come Alive: Read 'Through a Bible Lens'

Image result for smartphone

 

See Breaking Israel News/Israel365 promotion for Through a Bible Lens

https://mailchi.mp/israel365.com/make-the-bible-come-alive-and-transform-your-photography-buy-your-book-now?e=a5ad410914

Read what Christian and Jewish leaders and an expert on digital culture are saying about Through a Bible Lens: Biblical Insights for Smartphone Photography and Social Media:

"Through a Bible Lens offers a unique and personal challenge to the reader to integrate Bible Study, the creation that surrounds us, and our personal experience into a “living journal.”  Dr. Alexenberg’s approach offers a fun, yes fun, path to integrate pondering the deepest questions of Scripture with modern living and a literally visual journey through life.  Written from a Jewish Torah loving perspective, this book will be a joy to any lover of the Bible, Christian or Jewish.  I not only endorse it, I look forward to integrating these ideas into my personal encounter with Scripture." - Dr. Jim Solberg, author of Sinai Speaks; USA National Director of Bridges for Peace
“Like anything in God's world, smartphones and social media have the capacity for both blasphemy and blessing. Mel Alexenberg's important book Through a Bible Lens provides our generation the perfect model for the best usage of smartphones and social media to encourage greater appreciation for the Bible and the Land of Israel. Anyone who appreciates either will gain an important perspective from Alexenberg's lens.” – Rabbi Tuly Weisz, editor of The Israel Bible; director of Israel365 and publisher of Breaking Israel News

“The iPhone has changed our culture and our ways of thinking and acting in the world. This book brings together spiritual thought, everyday practices of communication and interaction and profound insights about meaning and purpose in contemporary life in a brilliant and sustained exposition. Once again, Alexenberg has carved out a unique point of view that deserves the highest praise and a large readership. Great book!!” – Dr. Ron Burnett, author of How Images Think; president, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver, Canada

 “Who would have thought that there would be a way to connect smartphones to the ancient world of the Bible?  Professor Alexenberg has the expertise and experience to do so.  This is a unique and fascinating book.” – Dr. Gerald R. McDermott, author of Israel Matters and The New Christian Zionism; professor, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama

“If a picture is worth a thousand words, Through a Bible Lens offers a template, a guidebook on how to experience innumerable images of the Divine in every moment and use blogging technology to disseminate them worldwide. Professor Mel Alexenberg invites us to share the story of our own Divine journey through the wisdom found in this unique book.” - Bishop Robert Stearns, Executive Director, Eagles’ Wings, New York

 “The book's wonderful synthesis between spirituality and technology, heaven and earth, is exciting and thought-provoking. It is a practical demonstration of Solomon's wisdom: "Acknowledge God in all your paths."  Alexenberg's affirmation of the spiritual potential of the Internet, blogging, photography, new technologies and social media, brings to mind the dictum of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of pre-state Israel: "The old will be renewed, and the new will be sanctified."  - Rabbi Chanan Morrison, author of Sapphire from the Land of Israel

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

A Mystical Computer Program for Spiritual Seeing



“Whether we see this book as a book of art – a mystical computer program for spiritual seeing – or a book about art – to actually see it, we must consult the beautiful blog at http://bibleblogyourlife.blogspot.com.  Mel Alexenberg is a wonderfully accomplished worker on a great project: to make art a conduit for the Divine.
- Rabbi Dr. Shimon Cowen, author, Aesthetics and the Divine; director, Institute for Judaism and Civilization, Victoria, Australia

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Innovative Book Engages Millennial Christians in the Language of Digital Culture


Prof. Mel Alexenberg’s new book Through a Bible Lens: Biblical Insights for Smartphone Photography and Social Media was reviewed by Eliana Rudee on Israel Breaking News. See https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/122059/evangelical-millennials-biblical-lens/.


Here are some excerpts from the review:
In the context of a flourishing era for Jewish-Christian relations in the United States and abroad, Israel is witnessing a new level of passionate support from Evangelical Christians - a group that represents more than a quarter of Americans. 

Israeli professor and author Mel Alexenberg says that Israelis value the support of such Zionist Christians who are strengthening the political and spiritual bonds between Washington and Jerusalem. Their bond to Israel relies on the Biblical mandate to bless Israel and the belief that the modern rebirth of the State of Israel in 1948 and re-gathering of millions of Jewish people to Israel represents fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.

However, in light of studies that raise concerns that the younger generation of Evangelical Christians “may not continue the enthusiasm for Israel of their parents and grandparents,” their support should not be taken for granted, says Alexenberg. He addresses the challenge of capturing the interest of the next generation, and sets out to engage the younger generation towards a more Biblical and pro-Israel mindset.  

“There are many fine books written by Christian Zionists that set out the case for Israel based upon the Biblical narrative,” he wrote, “I have found, however, that none speak in the language of the ubiquitous digital culture shaped by smartphones and social media. It is the language that Evangelical millennials understand best.”

Through a Bible Lens fills this void in a new and creative way, urging the younger generation of Jews and Christians to translate the Bible from contemporary viewpoints. “It speaks to the millennial generation in the their language of digital culture, smartphones and social media,” he told Breaking Israel News, “creating dialogue between digital texts and images that teach how Biblical insights can transform smartphone photography and social media into imaginative ways for seeing spirituality in everyday life.”

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Inspiring Book Connecting the Biblical World with iPhone Culture

Prof. Michael Bielicky and Prof. Mel Alexenberg at ZKM Center for Art and Media

“Connecting the biblical world with the modern interconnected reality of today is inspiring on many levels.  I really enjoyed it because it gives us an amazing perspective on our own existence, especially in the age of the interconnected iPhone culture." 
- Prof. Michael Bielicky, head of Department of Digital Media/Postdigital Narratives, University of Art and Design/ZKM Center for Art and Media, Karlsruhe, Germany

THROUGH A BIBLE LENS explores the Bible, the best selling book in the world, from the viewpoint of life in today's digital era.

Scroll down to see praise for Through a Bible Lens  from Jewish and Christian spiritual leaders and experts in digital culture. In his highl...