Nathan H Scherrer | Denver Seminary (original) (raw)

Papers by Nathan H Scherrer

Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care

This article is concerned with the complex role of assessment in the character development of gra... more This article is concerned with the complex role of assessment in the character development of graduate students in seminary education. It presents the current curricular approach of Denver Seminary to mentored, contextual formation and the variety of assessment strategies that support the growth of individual students and a culture of integrated learning in the institution. Rather than directing assessment strategies on individual character qualities, we argue for the efficacy of assessing the enabling conditions for character growth expressed in the andragogic elements of adult learning skills. Within this model, learning proves to be expansive enough for the contemporary seminary student who has a sense that it is up to them to prepare for and create the work they dream of within a changing culture.

This thesis seeks to demonstrate the high probability of a Yahwistic cult located in the southern... more This thesis seeks to demonstrate the high probability of a Yahwistic cult located in the southern Transjordan in the 13th century BCE. Brief mentions in the biblical text bring to light Yahweh’s habitation, not in the land he grants the Israelite tribes, but in the southern Transjordan. Consistently recognized as an unusual element in the biblical corpus, Yahweh’s southern habitation is often only briefly introduced as a mere possibility. Thus this study will engage the particulars of the BA history of Yahweh experienced by the peoples of the southern territories.

The first chapter will argue for the existence of a motif employed in the HB that preserves the memory of an ancient proto-Yahwistic cultus located in the south. This will include Judges 5:4-5 and its sister text in Psalm 68:8-9 as well as Deuteronomy 33:2 and its similar text in Habakkuk 3:3. Chapter two will outline a chronology and population trend in the southern Levant in order to demonstrate the boundaries from which a proto-Yahwistic cult may have emerged. This will survey the southern Levant from the Chalcolithic age until the IA II establishment of the secondary state in order to grasp the full breadth of population dynamics contributing to southern territories. Chapter three will survey the qualities and relationship among four major deities, Yahweh, El, Baal, and Qaus, who demonstrate the potential to have influenced the motif. Chapter four will survey the Kenite-Midianite hypothesis as the primary solution put forth by scholars to explain the various data surrounding Yahweh’s origins. Finally, this study will conclude by synthesizing the data and suggesting an appropriate interpretation regarding the next steps of engagement with the origins of Yahweh. All translations from Hebrew are my own. All scriptural references correspond to the versification of the Hebrew text.

Book Reviews by Nathan H Scherrer

Denver Journal, 2021

Lipstadt, Deborah E. Antisemitism: Here and Now. NY: Schocken Books, 2019. Hardcover, 304 pp. ISB... more Lipstadt, Deborah E. Antisemitism: Here and Now. NY: Schocken Books, 2019. Hardcover, 304 pp. ISBN 9780805243383, $25.95 Deborah E. Lipstadt is the Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University. A leading scholar in Judaism, Lipstadt is perhaps best known for her thorough studies of Holocaust deniers and her infamous libel trial in the English court against known neo-Nazi polemicist David Irving in 2000.

Conference Presentations by Nathan H Scherrer

Society of Professors in Christian Education, 2022

At Denver Seminary, our curriculum for character formation relies heavily on the student's abilit... more At Denver Seminary, our curriculum for character formation relies heavily on the student's ability to accurately self-assess within the context of our approach. Educators who utilize self-assessment strategies for measuring growth are familiar with the barriers unconscious bias present to the identification of accurate outcomes. This paper explores effective means for reducing cognitive bias in self-assessment of progress in learning. After a brief review of the primary forms of bias at play in the development of selfknowledge and the task of self-assessment, we present approaches that may be effective in closing the gaps in current praxis in order to reduce the skew in assessments. Our implementation of a variety of selfassessment modalities is designed to effect the enabling conditions of bias. The added complexity attempts to mitigate self-serving, availability, and recall biases. The learning environment of mentored, contextual formation encourages robust feedback from multiple parties, revealing unconscious blind spots as students learn to welcome the discomfort inherent in growing self-awareness. We believe educating for character while counteracting the barriers to deep self-awareness has significant implications for theological field education and student personal formation as implemented in higher education.

Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care

This article is concerned with the complex role of assessment in the character development of gra... more This article is concerned with the complex role of assessment in the character development of graduate students in seminary education. It presents the current curricular approach of Denver Seminary to mentored, contextual formation and the variety of assessment strategies that support the growth of individual students and a culture of integrated learning in the institution. Rather than directing assessment strategies on individual character qualities, we argue for the efficacy of assessing the enabling conditions for character growth expressed in the andragogic elements of adult learning skills. Within this model, learning proves to be expansive enough for the contemporary seminary student who has a sense that it is up to them to prepare for and create the work they dream of within a changing culture.

This thesis seeks to demonstrate the high probability of a Yahwistic cult located in the southern... more This thesis seeks to demonstrate the high probability of a Yahwistic cult located in the southern Transjordan in the 13th century BCE. Brief mentions in the biblical text bring to light Yahweh’s habitation, not in the land he grants the Israelite tribes, but in the southern Transjordan. Consistently recognized as an unusual element in the biblical corpus, Yahweh’s southern habitation is often only briefly introduced as a mere possibility. Thus this study will engage the particulars of the BA history of Yahweh experienced by the peoples of the southern territories.

The first chapter will argue for the existence of a motif employed in the HB that preserves the memory of an ancient proto-Yahwistic cultus located in the south. This will include Judges 5:4-5 and its sister text in Psalm 68:8-9 as well as Deuteronomy 33:2 and its similar text in Habakkuk 3:3. Chapter two will outline a chronology and population trend in the southern Levant in order to demonstrate the boundaries from which a proto-Yahwistic cult may have emerged. This will survey the southern Levant from the Chalcolithic age until the IA II establishment of the secondary state in order to grasp the full breadth of population dynamics contributing to southern territories. Chapter three will survey the qualities and relationship among four major deities, Yahweh, El, Baal, and Qaus, who demonstrate the potential to have influenced the motif. Chapter four will survey the Kenite-Midianite hypothesis as the primary solution put forth by scholars to explain the various data surrounding Yahweh’s origins. Finally, this study will conclude by synthesizing the data and suggesting an appropriate interpretation regarding the next steps of engagement with the origins of Yahweh. All translations from Hebrew are my own. All scriptural references correspond to the versification of the Hebrew text.

Denver Journal, 2021

Lipstadt, Deborah E. Antisemitism: Here and Now. NY: Schocken Books, 2019. Hardcover, 304 pp. ISB... more Lipstadt, Deborah E. Antisemitism: Here and Now. NY: Schocken Books, 2019. Hardcover, 304 pp. ISBN 9780805243383, $25.95 Deborah E. Lipstadt is the Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University. A leading scholar in Judaism, Lipstadt is perhaps best known for her thorough studies of Holocaust deniers and her infamous libel trial in the English court against known neo-Nazi polemicist David Irving in 2000.

Society of Professors in Christian Education, 2022

At Denver Seminary, our curriculum for character formation relies heavily on the student's abilit... more At Denver Seminary, our curriculum for character formation relies heavily on the student's ability to accurately self-assess within the context of our approach. Educators who utilize self-assessment strategies for measuring growth are familiar with the barriers unconscious bias present to the identification of accurate outcomes. This paper explores effective means for reducing cognitive bias in self-assessment of progress in learning. After a brief review of the primary forms of bias at play in the development of selfknowledge and the task of self-assessment, we present approaches that may be effective in closing the gaps in current praxis in order to reduce the skew in assessments. Our implementation of a variety of selfassessment modalities is designed to effect the enabling conditions of bias. The added complexity attempts to mitigate self-serving, availability, and recall biases. The learning environment of mentored, contextual formation encourages robust feedback from multiple parties, revealing unconscious blind spots as students learn to welcome the discomfort inherent in growing self-awareness. We believe educating for character while counteracting the barriers to deep self-awareness has significant implications for theological field education and student personal formation as implemented in higher education.