Dr. Roy B. Blizzard is President of Bible Scholars, a Texas-based organization dedicated to biblical research and education.
A native of Joplin, Missouri, Dr. Blizzard attended Oklahoma Military Academy and has a B.A. degree from Philips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He has an M.A. from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico, an M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.
From 1968 to June 1974, he taught Hebrew, Biblical History, and Biblical Archaeology at the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Blizzard studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel, in the summer of 1966. In the summer of 1973, he worked on the archaeological excavations at Tel Qasile, where he excavated a Philistine Temple dating from 1200 B.C. In 1968, 1971, and 1972, he worked on the excavations at the Western Wall, or "Wailing Wall," at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
(Dr. Blizzard in striped shirt excavating at Tel Qasile...being visited by General Moshe Dayan)
Since then, Dr. Blizzard has spent much of his time in Israel and the Middle East in study and research. He was a licensed guide in Israel and has directed numerous Historical and Archaeological Study Seminars in Israel and Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy.
Dr. Blizzard hosted over 500 television programs about Israel and Judaism for various television networks and is a frequent television and radio guest.
He is the author of Let Judah Go Up First, and the co-author of Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus. He is also the author of Tithing, Giving and Prosperity, The Passover Haggadah for Christians and Jews, The Mountain of the Lord, Mishnah and the Words of Jesus, Jesus the Rabbi and His Rabbinic Method of Teaching, as well as many other articles and lecture series. All of his programs and offerings are available at www.biblescholars.org.
Audio Materials Available On YouTube and For Free Download
All of Dr. Blizzard's taped audio seminars are now available on the Bible Scholars YouTube channel. mp3 download links are provided with each series and also provided in the following summaries.
The series includes:
Foundations for Study (Includes: Inspiration of the Bible, How to Study the Bible, and Renewing the Mind)
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The series, Foundations for Study, is presented to serve as a starting point for your study of the bible. It is an intelligent and logical presentation of evidence that serves to establish the inspiration of the scriptures. In addition, you will be directed to materials that will assist you in your study and enable you to work with the original texts.
The way in which the material is presented will challenge you to renew your mind and reexamine a number of traditional practices. This series serves as a foundation upon which all other series are built.
- YouTube link
- mp3 download link
Beginnings in Biblical Study (Includes: The Nature of God & The Nature of Man, Historical Roots, and Organizational Structure of the First Century Church)
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This series, Beginnings in Biblical Studies presents basic foundational material for beginning any study of the Bible. Once it is established that the Bible is an inspired document (Foundations for Study), what is the principal doctrine of Biblical faith? It is the Monotheism of the scriptures, the idea that there is just one God who is the God of all. This series discusses the nature of God, including the subject of dualism, as well as the nature of the one created in His image, man. The questions relating to man as well as God must be seen in their proper historical context so there is considerable discussion on the historical foundations of faith.
The series concludes with a look at how the first-century community of God was organized and how it functioned. We strongly recommend listening to the series, Foundations for Study before moving on to this series.
- YouTube link
- mp3 download link
Who is Jesus Anyway? (Includes: Who is Jesus, The Faith of Jesus, and Listen! Jesus Speaks)
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In both Jewish and Christian circles the one question of supreme importance is "Who is Jesus anyway?"
In this series, we attempt to answer this question from a historical, cultural and linguistic perspective. An attempt is made to listen to what Jesus has to say about himself and of course being a Jew, a Rabbi, and speaking Hebrew, that question is not easily answered without taking all of these facts into consideration.
Additionally, you will grow to understand why Jesus believes and teaches as he does and in so doing you will be able to understand more of Jesus' words when he speaks.
- YouTube link
- mp3 download link
Jesus the Rabbi (Includes: Jesus the Rabbi & His Rabbinic Method of Teaching, and Mishnah & the Words of Jesus)
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This series is an excellent continuation of the series Who is Jesus? as it describes the first century Rabbi, the methods of teaching they used and illustrates that Jesus serves as the best example of the life and teaching of a first-century Rabbi of any known from Jewish history.
The similarity to Jesus' teaching and those of rabbis both preceding and following him are striking. The comparison with the teaching of Jesus and those of the rabbis of the Mishnah are both interesting and illuminating.
- YouTube link
- mp3 download link
Understanding Your God-Given Talents (Includes: Understanding the Holy Spirit & Fruit of the Spirit)
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This seminar Understanding Your God Given Talents is a new and updated presentation of our old Understanding the Holy Spirit seminar. I believe this seminar to be one of the most important, if not the most important of the seminars we offer.
In this particular series we ask the questions
- What is your purpose in life?
- Who are you?
- What is your unique motivational gift?
- What is your personality type?
- How do you think?
- Where do you fall in the birth order?
The answer to all of these questions determines our psychological makeup as well as our ability to understand others and ourselves.
- YouTube link
- mp3 download link
- Workbook download
The Blood Covenant (Includes: Tithing, Giving & Prosperity and Let Judah Go Up First)
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The Blood Covenant is a unique study tracing the subject of Biblical atonement from the Old Testament into the New. Topics such as water baptism and the Lord's Supper and their relation to God's total scheme of redemption are examined.
Tithing, Giving, and Prosperity is an educated study on the Biblical subject of tithing. This study presents the Biblical background on the subject and its later introduction into Christianity through a capitulary of Constantine, king of the Francs, as well as an in-depth study of the host of words translated into English as "prosper" and/or "prosperity." This work will assist in your understanding of a Jewish practice that has almost attained the status of an ordinance in many parts of Christendom today.
- YouTube link
- mp3 download link
Science and the Bible (Includes: What is man that thou are mindful of him?)
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Science and the Bible is a comparison of the four principle theories of creation; transformism, reconstructionism, creationism and spontaneous creation, with the Hebrew Text of Genesis Chapter 1. Questions and problems that plague the searching mind about creation are closely examined in light of the original Hebrew account in Genesis, Chapters 1 and 2. This fascinating, in-depth study establishes Biblically and scientifically that there need be NO conflict between science and the Bible.
What is Man That Thou Art Mindful of Him is actually a continuation of the study of Science and the Bible beginning with Day 6 of creation and demonstrating God's plan for man. Assisting you to understand exactly who you really are by virtue of creation.
- YouTube link
- mp3 download link
The Role of Women in the Community of God (Includes: What is man that thou are mindful of him?)
- The modern-day teachings on the subject of women in the Church, submission, and covering are set in their proper Biblical perspective. The Role of Women in the Community of God is a refreshingly different, scholarly treatment of the subject of the role of women in the church, designed to eliminate the myths and popular misconceptions surrounding this topic.
- YouTube link
- mp3 download link
A Historical and Chronological Survey of the Old Testament
- A college-level course on the historical development of God's dealing with mankind in chronological order. Major themes will be emphasized in historical order rather than an exegesis book by book. H.I. Hester's book: "The Heart of Hebrew History" can be used as a companion.
- YouTube link: Pt. 1
- YouTube link: Pt. 2
- YouTube link: Pt, 3
- YouTube link: Pt. 4
- mp3 download link
Foundations of Our Faith I & IV
Contributing Scholars
Dr. Robert Lindsey
Dr. William Sanford La Sor
Dr. Brad Young
David Bivin
Dr. Halvor and Mirja Ronning
Dr. Marvin Wilson
Dr. Roy Blizzard
Dr. Ken Hansen
Rabbi Hershel Jaffe
Rabbi Rachael Levine
Dwight Pryor
Martin J. Mann
Roy Blizzard, III
William McDonald
Discussion Topics and Contributor Background
“The Sources for the Life of Jesus”
“The Words of Jesus”
Dr. Robert Lindsey, along with the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research, was a pioneer in synoptic studies. Their discovery has changed forever the approach of biblical scholarship to the synoptic gospels. Dr. Lindsey lived in Israel for more than four decades and was the Pastor of the Narkis Street Baptist Congregation in Jerusalem for many years.
“Learning from Jewish Interpretation of Scripture”
Dr. William Sanford La Sor was a long-time professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in California and held six degrees and two doctorates. Dr. La Sor was a very prolific author and had a working knowledge of 20 languages.
“The Background to the Lord’s Prayer”
“The Parables of Jesus in Their Jewish Setting”
Dr. Brad Young earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Judaism and Early Christianity at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem where he studied for ten years. He is a founding member of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research and is an authority on the life and teachings of Jesus as well as authoring books and articles.
“The Importance of Hebraic Perspective for Christian Growth”
David Bivin studied at the Hebrew University on a Rotary Foundation Fellowship where he did postgraduate work in Jewish history and literature. He is a member of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research, has written over 100 scholarly articles and papers, and is also the founder and editor of the Jerusalem Perspective.
“God’s Law, Man’s Faith, and Resulting Holiness”
Dr. Halvor and Mirja Ronning are long-time residents of Israel who are well-known in Christian and academic circles and hold several degrees between them. Halvor is also a licensed tour guide and Mirja has been a teacher and translator and they both continue to lecture.
“Hebrew Thought in the Life of the Church”
“Loving, Leaning, & living: On Getting Our Act Together”
Dr. Marvin Wilson is the Harold J. Ockenga Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. He is a leader in dialogue between Christians and Jews, has co-edited many books and has written numerous articles on Christian-Jewish relations.
“The Community of God in Jesus’ Day”
“Believing a Lie”
Dr. Roy Blizzard – see website bio
“Characteristics of the Pharisees”
Dr. William McDonald was one of the students supported by Yavo for several years and distinguished himself in Washington, DC when he participated in a diplomatic seder in the Israeli Embassy. MacDonald holds Masters degrees in Divinity as well as Biblical Literature and Hebrew History, Cultures and Semitic Languages from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma and received a doctorate in Hebrew Studies from the University of Texas since this seminar was held.
“The Rich Young Ruler”
Dr. Ken Hanson is a professor of Jewish history at Oral Roberts University, His doctorate is from the University of Texas at Austin, where he taught the Hebrew language for several years His dissertation research was on the subject of the Dead Sea Scrolls in relation to early rabbinic Halakha. Dr. Hanson holds a B.A. from the University of Illinois, including work at the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem, Israel. His M.A. is from Regent University and he has worked with CBN’s Middle East Television in Lebanon.
“Knowing God, the Highest Form of Worship”
Dr. Dwight Pryor is the founder and President for the Center for Judaic-Christian Studies, and a founding board member of the Jerusalem School for the Study of the Synoptic Gospels. He graduated with special distinction from the University of Oklahoma. Dwight draws from his college and graduate studies in Philosophy and Hebrew Studies to communicate key biblical truths in a clear and inspired manner, teaching in churches and conferences across the U.S.
“Hanging Onto Hope”
Rabbi Hershel Jaffe is co-author of Why Me? Why Anyone? The dramatic story of Rabbi Jaffe’s battle with leukemia and his triumph over illness and despair. A former prison chaplain, Hirshel Jaffe is Rabbi of Temple Beth Jacob in Newburgh, N.Y. He was honored with a Doctorate from his seminary, The Hebrew Union College.
“Hebrew as a Spoken Language in Judea in the First Century”
Martin J. Mann is a graduate of the University of Texas where he received a B.A. degree with highest honors, completing a major in history and a minor in classical Greek. While at the University of Texas, Martin concentrated on studies in modern Hebrew, classical Greek, and both ancient and Middle-Eastern history. Martin has also attended United Wesleyan College in Allentown, Pennsylvania and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Understanding the Difficult Words of Paul
Roy Blizzard, III is a specialist in Israel, Hebrew language and culture, and in the Classical languages and cultures. He is a graduate of the University of Texas and has studied and traveled extensively in Israel. Mr. Blizzard is the author of numerous articles on biblical topics.
“The Woman’s Role”
Rachel D.Levine has a B.A. degree from the University of Miami and a M.Ed. from Florida Atlantic University. She has an extensive background in religious and archaeological studies, having participated in excavations in Tel Aviv in 1973. She has done additional studies with the Biblical Archaeology Society and is a member of the American Academy of Religion and the Society for Biblical Literature.
