Created by Dr. Lisa Wolfe, an ordained United Church of Christ pastor and Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible at Oklahoma City University, this series currently has two volumes in print: Song of Songs, and Ruth. Additional volumes are in the works, featuring Judith and Ruth. Each study contains six (or more) 15-minute segments and is designed for use over that number of one-hour sessions. The study materials are reproducible and available from Biblenerd Productions, Lisa's company.

Full disclosure: Lisa and I went to seminary together, worked together on the chaplain's staff of a children's hospital, and have been friends for several years, so my review isn't entirely unbiased. But it's because of my connection to Lisa that I can say unreservedly that she is a fabulous teacher, scholar, pastor, and person. I love these resources, because...

• The scholarship is top-notch, very progressive, and presented in-depth to participants in an enhanced lecture-style format. The study assumes the learners are capable of wrestling with difficult textual and theological problems.
• The series places a strong emphasis upon reading a text within its cultural framework. Lisa is a master at bringing to life the cultural realities which surround the characters.
• There is a good deal of humor in the studies. Lisa's lively style engages and entertains.
• Each video includes helpful text, photos, and graphics that visually explain and enhance the spoken material.
• We've all given presentations where we've knowingly or unknowingly made an error, but we don't always bring to light our mistakes. This is perhaps the only video series I have ever come across with errata notes. In a few minor places, Lisa mispronounces or says the wrong word, and she's not afraid to own up to her goof and correct them. 

Be aware of these deficiencies...

• Due to the level of scholarship in the videos, congregations which are less familiar with progressive biblical interpretation (e.g. reading the Bible as story and not as history) will perhaps have some difficulty with the material.  As a result, some congregations will likely find that the study is best led by a pastor or experienced teacher.
• In terms of production values, this will not be the most polished video in your library. For example, the presentations seem to have been done at some sort of women's retreat, and the camera unfortunately occasionally catches latecomers walking through the door. These distractions are minor and do give a sense of "everydayness" to the video, but they are just that—distractions.
• The cost of each DVD ($45) is perhaps a bit high for the number of sessions, though keep in mind the study materials and leader's guide are free. (Lisa has occasionally offered discounts on her DVDs to past purchasers.)
• The material will likely work best with a somewhat older group of men or women, in part because the women in the audience are seniors.

If these videos are an indication of things to come, Biblenerd Productions is a company to watch. Check out the website today, and if you make a purchase, please enter "Different Voice" in the "Message" field so Lisa will know where you learned about her resources.

~ Tim Gossett