why
Spirit-Filled Passion and Purpose
We want to help you know God more intimately by grasping His Word more fully. To that end, we proclaim and explain the vital truths found in the universally embraced Apostle’s Creed. Rather than quibble over dogma, our approach is to keep the big picture in focus. We take this outline as a point of unity and unpack the rich doctrine presented using a Hebraic Perspective. Watch a brief video of our founder doing just that!
Your Story
When you read your Bible, do you ever walk away with more questions than answers? Are you confused and disorientated by church hurt and real-world pain? As a follower of Jesus, what are the questions you wrestle with? Often, the way we understand who God is and the way we experience the world do not fit together. How we learn to interpret Scripture frequently leaves us more disconnected from the faith of Jesus. We know what that feels like! If you are searching for answers that empower you to know God deeper and reconnect with the biblical story, you are in the right place. Join us on this journey of pursuing a Father-focused, Christ-centered, and Spirit-saturated life. We are glad you are here.
God’s Story
God is holy. Different than us and set apart. Yet, from the beginning of time, he has entered into his created world to make himself known. To reveal, to restore, to redeem. Scripture is one way to enter into the story and see God’s faithfulness at work, giving us confidence that he continues to move that way today. Our challenging task is to recognize and remove the glasses we wear when we read the Bible. When we can set aside our preconceptions, Jesus forms us in his image and introduces us to his worldview. The Spirit becomes our guide and teacher. God’s invitation is wide open to all. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a mouth to tell that the Lord is good and his faithfulness extends to all generations.
JC Studies Story
Our story begins with a desire to help Christians understand their Bible from Jesus’s perspective. To do that, we went back to where it all started: Israel. Our founder, Dwight A. Pryor, traveled back and forth from the Holy Land to bring fresh scholarship and hebraic insights that were just making their way to the Western church. Since 1984, we have hosted many teaching events and retreats, building a library of solid Hebraic teaching and a community of Haverim around the world. Haverim is a Hebrew word for friends and partners, those who walk in faith and study God’s word together. Forty years of ministry later, our core desire remains to continue providing trustworthy resources that help you connect the Testaments and flourish in your Kingdom calling.
James’ Story
In 1984, Jesus saved a young man off the streets named James Whitman from a life of addiction. In response, James devoted his life to serving God and enrolled in Bible college, where he met his bride, Tamóra Joy. Together, they embarked on their pastoral ministry journey in a congregation in Seattle, WA. During that time, a friend of James gave him a copy of Our Father Abraham, published by JC Studies. The rest is history! 1999 saw them answering the call of God to move cross-country to Ohio and join the work of The Center. Dwight’s teaching and mentorship shaped James’ faith profoundly. Four children later, James’ pastoral heart is evident in the practical ways he walks alongside leaders of every age and stage through the unique challenges of remaining faithful in this generation with robust biblical faith. Shepherding a local church and leading JC Studies has taught him to keep the main thing the main thing. What unites us all is the way of Jesus!
James specializes in teaching that connects your head, heart, and hands. If you want to start a conversation with him about coming to share at your church or event, please send us a note.
Dwight’s Story
(1945-2011)
Without Dwight A. Pryor, there would be no JC Studies. Born in Tulsa, OK, Dwight was spiritually curious from a young age. He explored different philosophies and Eastern religions before becoming captivated by the person and life of Jesus. While pursuing graduate studies, Dwight founded The Center for Judaic-Christian Studies to bring insights from Jesus’ Jewish world to the Western church. His commitment to learning, doing, and teaching God’s word to God’s people earned Dwight the respect and appreciation of believers worldwide as a gifted Bible teacher with exceptional clarity and depth. Operating on the Jewish principle that study is the highest form of worship, he touched the hearts and minds of many with the joys of seeing Scripture through the eyes of our Hebrew Lord. As a founding board member of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research, his relationship with key Jewish and Christian scholars provided him with penetrating insights into the life, language, and teaching of Jesus. Dwight has one son, Benjamin, who was his pride and joy with his late wife, Jeanette. He spent the last ten years of his life with his second bride, Keren Hannah. His legacy of faithfulness lives on.
