This course explores the origin, history and significant ideas of the Western world’s foundational text. Hebrew Scriptures presents an academic introduction to the ancient stories of the TANAK (The Old Testament) from the creation stories in the book of Genesis all the way until we encounter the ancient prophets of Israel. In between we will explore a world of literature including history, poetry, mythology, and some of the world’s most moving prose. In the process we will learn about the latest evidence on how the scriptures came together and what we can know about that process. While doing all of this we will be able to explore the values and meaning the Bible promotes and look at our own worldview in the process.
And the course objectives are:
- Comprehend the basic historical, cultural, moral, political and theological issues raised by the Hebrew Scriptures,
- Understand the thought and culture of other peoples and the role of Judaism in human history,
- Discuss the three major sections (Torah, Writings, Prophets) of the Hebrew Scriptures and see how they are different and related at the same time,
- Understand the human need for religious expression,
- Analyze major themes of scriptural interpretation and translation including source and form criticism,
- Understand the problems and mysteries that the Hebrew Scriptures attempt to solve,
- Demonstrate critical thinking and communication skills in the context of religious and philosophical ideas.
The text for the class is The Old Testament: An Introduction to the Hebrew Bible by Stephen L. Harris and Robert L. Platzner. Should be interesting. I've been meaning to read the Bible but never really got going on it.
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