Reading the Bible for All Its Worth

Course Description

Let's admit it, the Bible can be tricky to read, but this 5-week course will help you tackle its complexities. You’ll explore its language, organization, context, history, and diverse writing styles. By the end, you’ll have the tools to understand even the most difficult passages, empowering you to read the Bible with greater confidence, insight, and appreciation.

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

Recommended Books

Good Introductions to the OT/NT:

• Rolf A. Jacobson and Michael J. Chan, Introducing the Old Testament

• Mark Allan Powell, Introducing the New Testament

Good Companion Texts:

• McCaulley, Reading the Bible While Black (great example of bring yourself to the text)

• Brent Strawn, Lies My Preacher Told Me (addresses common OT misconceptions)

• Peter Enns, The Bible Tells Me So (be ready for an eye-opening journey)

• Richard Hays, Reading with the Grain of Scripture (strategies for reading the NT)

• John J. Collins, A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (more academic)

• Jonathan Pennington, Reading the Gospels Wisely (reorienting the Gospel) 

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.

Week 5

Share Your Feedback

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