REL 138 - The Bible and its Readers

Informed by literary, historical, and theological methods, we look first at the magnificent myths and stories in the Hebrew Bible: stories of origins, of Pharaohs, kings, prophets, and poets. Then, we turn to the Christian New Testament: the surprisingly different stories of Jesus in the Gospels, before looking at the theological vision of the Apostle Paul, whose letters became the foundation for the Protestant Reformation. Finally, we touch on the book of Revelation, which chance and circumstance has placed at the end of what is now the Christian Bible.

The course title, which includes “and its readers” conveys that the meaning conjured from these books is a joint creation between the texts and their interpreters. The Bible has been taken to say many things over its long life, some of which have been liberating, others oppressive.

Satisfies Religious Studies Major and Minor requirements.
Satisfies Philosophical and Religious Perspectives requirements.

 

Prerequisites & Notes
Students who have taken REL 138 are not eligible for REL 130 (Introduction to the New Testament) and vice versa.