REL250: Hebrew Bible / Old Testament

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. . . ." So begins one of the most influential books in human history. From ancient times until the present, Jews, Christians and Muslims have grappled with the cosmic questions, universal myths, compelling laws and dramatic narratives of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. It is a book that is both timeless and timely. In this course, students will gain an appreciation of the historical, political and social context from which the Hebrew Bible emerged, and will explore the narratives' eternal themes, such as creation and destruction, rivalry and loyalty, love and betrayal, doubt and faith, freedom and captivity, and forgiveness and revenge, as well as delve into the ethical and legal teachings that have served as a major foundation of Western civilization.