The Torah and Its Wisdom

Eight Tuesdays, 5 – 7 p.m.

May 5, – June 23 – Via Zoom

Why is the “Old Testament” vitally important for Christians? The Jesus Movement’s understanding of itself was profoundly rooted in Jesus’ own interpretation of his people’s holy writings. The cornerstone of the Hebrew Scriptures is the Torah, or “Enlightening Wisdom” of the traditionally titled Five Books of Moses. This overview of the Primeval History, the Patriarchal narratives, and the saga of Israel from bondage in Egypt until it stands ready to enter the Promised Land will explore the literary forms, the major themes, the portrayal of Israel’s divine Lord and Shepherd. Using Walter Brueggemann’s An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Canon and Christian Imagination, we will explore how these writings expressed ancient Israel’s understanding of itself as a community, with glances toward the use that Jesus and the early Christian community made of the Hebrew Bible. Part 2 will cover the Earlier and Later Prophets. This course is being offered as part of the training for the Diaconate in collaboration with the Committee on the Diaconate of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. Auditors are welcomed! All participants are expected to have read the texts before class and to participate actively in our seminar discussion. If you love the scriptures and would like to increase your understanding through study, join us!

The Rev. Robert Corin Morris, D.D. is our instructor for this course. Bob is currently the Interim Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and the founder of Interweave.