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Torah Scroll
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Biblical Studies 130:
Hebrew Bible World and Culture
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PURPOSE:
Biblical
Studies 130 is an introduction to the Old Testament and its cultural
context. The purpose of the course is to acquaint the student with the
writings of the Old Testament, their diversity, their historical and sociological settings, and
their development as the scripture of Israel.
Attention will be given both to the ancient context of the writings and
to their final literary form.
OBJECTIVES:
Students in Biblical Studies 130
should attain a basic knowledge of:
1. the
content and character of major Old Testament writings
2. the
significant periods and events in ancient Israelite and Judean history
3. the
relationship of Old Testament writings to particular historical periods
4. the role
of major Old Testament personalities and types of leaders
5. the major
theological ideas developed in the Old Testament and the diversity of
those
ideas
6. the
relationship between the religion of ancient Israel and Judah and ancient
Middle Eastern culture
and
grow in their ability to:
7. read
ancient texts critically
8. appreciate
the role of myth and religion in human life
9. examine
their own religious positions.
DESCRIPTION:
This
course is an introduction to the Hebrew Bible and to the history and culture
of
the people who wrote it. We will
read texts from the Old Testament in the order in which they
appear to have been written so that we can understand the relationship between
historical situations and religious thinking and writing.
That approach may be new and,
perhaps, uncomfortable. You are
encouraged to ask questions, challenge
assumptions, and carefully consider different ways of reading the Bible.
While not assuming familiarity with the Bible,
the course recognizes that these writings have
profoundly influenced western culture and have special religious significance
for many people. Students come to
the class with a wide range of experience
and different perspectives on the Bible
That diversity provides a rich opportunity
for exploring different viewpoints and expanding one’s understanding
of the texts.
However, it also means that for a genuine spirit of inquiry and learning
to exist members
of the class must respect one another even as they disagree.
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