How the Bible Actually Works

Course Description

Let's admit it, the Bible can be tricky to read sometimes! In this 4-week course, you will learn more about some of the Bible’s most challenging features, including its language, organization, context, history, and diverse writing styles. Along the way, you will develop perspectives that will help you read even the most difficult passages in Scripture with greater understanding. The goal of the course is not only to help you better appreciate what the Bible is and how the Bible works, but also to read it on your own with greater confidence and insight. 

For more information, please email our Assistant Director of Community Learning & Partnerships, Donnell Williamson, at dwilliamson@emory.edu.

Meet the Instructor

Prof. Larry Varghese

Larry Varghese is a doctoral student in Hebrew Bible at Emory University. His research interests include ancient Israelite religion, with a particular focus on apophatic expressions of divinity, identity formation within exilic and post-exilic communities, and the interplay between scriptural hermeneutics and social transformation. Larry is an ordained minister in the Mar Thoma Church. He earned a B. Div. from Mar Thoma Syrian Theological Seminary in Kottayam, India, and an MTS from Candler School of Theology.

If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to reach out to Larry at larry.varghese@emory.edu.

Course Materials

Please check this section regularly for your weekly course recordings and important updates. If you are experiencing any delays or issues, please email us at: candlerfoundry@emory.edu.

Explore your theological questions

As a registered participant in the Courses in the Community program, you get 1 year of free digital access to the premier theological library in North America. You can use your digital account to research topics from this course, explore theological questions, and more! On the start date of your course, you will receive an invitation to set your password and gain access using the email you registered for the course with.

Please view the “Login Instructions” below for more information.

Share Your Feedback

Your feedback is important to us! Throughout your time in this course, you are encouraged to let us know how we are doing. Please click on the button below to submit a short survey or submit any comments you would like to share with our team. We look forward to serving you!