Bible Portal (List View)

Want to read the NT in the original Greek? The Greek translation of the Old Testament? This module’s for you! The first module seeks to introduce learners to the basics of ancient Greek: the alphabet, introduction to the verb system (tenses and moods) and the noun system (the very helpful article, first and second declension). Over several modules, the students will learn the foundations of the language and then students will be able to read texts. Note: All sessions will be live recorded and shared with all enrolled students afterward for review and to allow those who cannot attend live to still participate in the class. [show less]

Many readers around the world are familiar with the Old Testament, especially in western civilization. But did you know other cultures from the Ancient Near East also contained comparable genres of literature? Epics, annals, legal texts, hymns, wisdom literature, and prophetic oracles are all extant from various cultures of the ancient world. In this course, we will read together some of these works of ancient literature and discuss in relation to their literary counterparts in the Hebrew Bible. [show less]

In this module we will cover the basics of Islamic Religious tradition, thought, and practice. A basic biography of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), the development of the early Islamic movement (the Ummah), division into the Sunni and Shi'ite forms of Islam, Islamic cosmology, the Four Orthodox schools of the interpretation of Sharia, and the development and practice of Sufism will all be covered. Time permitting, we will touch upon developments in modern Islam. [show less]

In this module we will explore the sacramental worldview and practices of Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism, with maybe a bit of Anglicanism thrown into the mix. We will cover what a sacramental worldview consists of, what the sacraments themselves are, what sacramentals are and how their use is justified within these traditions theologically and historically, and related topics. [show less]

Whenever we see a painting or a sculpture we might think many different things; we might wonder why we like or dislike it; what is its meaning; and why the artist created it in that way. In this series we will explore different art periods, movements, and artists. We will discuss the context, symbolism, style, and what each of these periods/ movement/ artists tells us today. Some of the questions we will ask during these modules are: what is art? How is art different from arts and crafts? What is the purpose of art? Why are some art pieces famous? What are some of the most prominent styles? Why are some artists, such as Vincent Van Gogh, so popular today but not during their own time? How and why do we relate to different pieces in different ways and with different emotional responses? Each module stands on its own and no previous knowledge of Art History is required. The idea is to engage with the different topics from different lenses and to share different ideas and opinions about them. [show less]

This module explores the Minor Prophets. What is a prophet? How was a prophet expected to "operate" in the Ancient World? How do Hebrew prophets compare to prophets from other traditions in their world? What is the message of the prophets? These questions and more will be addressed in this module. Those with Hebrew, Greek, or Latin are welcome to use their skills in this module, though these are not required. [show less]

This module considers the gospels in their contexts; addressing their genre, the communities to whom they are addressed, their origins, early tradition and legend about how they came to be, comparisons of their literatures to other Hellenistic and Near Eastern ones, the synoptic problem, and related issues. [show less]

The premise for this course is that the Primeval History (i.e. Genesis 1-11) provides the key conceptual roadmap for how to understand the rest of the biblical narrative (especially the OT, but pertaining to the NT as well). Once the reader begins to see these connections, an entire world is opened up, because subsequent biblical authors continue to build on the foundational elements introduced in the early chapters of Genesis. This course is designed for a reader to learn how to see these elements for themselves so that the student can continue to explore them in the future in the rest of the biblical literature and in literature outside the Bible as well. This course would deal with topics pertinent specifically to Genesis 1-11. For example: is Genesis 1-11 properly classified as "history," or "myth," or something else? And on the spectrum of literal versus non-literal interpretation of texts, what should be applied? Are there any textual indicators for these things, and if so, how do we recognize them? [show less]

This series of modules would be for students who want to learn how to read Biblical Hebrew. The course would include some speaking, listening, and writing skills as well. But people who learn Biblical Hebrew do so in order to read it, so reading and comprehension skills would take primary focus. Sessions 1-4: Introduce the Hebrew alphabet and vowel classes Session 5: History of Hebrew alphabet and vowel pointers Session 6: Syllabification Session 7: Daghesh and Shewa Session 8: Reduced vowels [show less]

In this mini module of four one-hour sessions, we will have fun with Latin Christmas Carols. Any "homework" is optional, texts will be provided, fun shall be had!!! Come and enjoy! Note: This mini module is a special group experience designed for a small and intimate group of 3 to 4 students for the cost of 1 Token. [show less]

Designed for students who have completed an introductory Latin textbook and wish to explore real Latin texts at a gentle pace, this class will walk students through a selection of Psalms from the Latin Vulgate, adapting the quantity of texts and homework to meet the needs of the enrolled students. We will parse passages and read the psalms clause by clause, moving somewhat slowly to allow ample time for grammatical review as students test different translation techniques and absorb new abbreviations, grammatical quirks, and irregular or new forms. Note: Students who took this module in 2023 are welcome to repeat it; the 2024 module will feature different psalms than its predecessor. [show less]

Between the Great Schism (the separation of Orthodox and Catholic churches in 1054 CE) and the Protestant Reformation (initiated by the Church of England separating from the Catholic Church in 1534 CE) lies the medieval period of Christian history. The Church was theologically and spiritually vibrant during this time, marked by the parallel developments of scholasticism and mysticism within the Catholic tradition. The basic premise of this course is that modern society has not outgrown the lessons to be learned from this period of history. Exploring how medieval Christians lived—and applying their perspectives with care—can enrich our lives today. [show less]

Late medieval English drama brought episodes from The Bible to life in days-long festivals of pomp and pageantry—but what these plays really show us is the day-to-day lives of ordinary men and women of the Middle Ages. With a mixture of lavish spectacle, slapstick comedy, and intimate poignancy, these plays populate the biblical world with familiar figures of the medieval city-life: shrewd workmen and cunning criminals; disgruntled wives and worried husbands; the friends, family, and neighbors of the playwrights and performers. This course looks at a sampling of plays from the great civic drama cycles of York, Chester, Coventry, and elsewhere, including Noah’s Flood, The Second Shepherd’s Play, Herod’s Slaughter of the Innocents, The Crucifixion, The Harrowing of Hell, and The Last Judgement. The works presented here offer both a grand history of the world from Creation to Doomsday, and locally-rooted, vernacular versions of a text then otherwise available only in Latin. Knowledge of Middle English is not required since this course will use the modern-spelling edition by Prof. A. C. Cawley. Scholarly online Middle English versions, however, will also be made available for students wishing to practice their skills in that area. [show less]

This series will help introduce students to the breadth and depth of Greek texts available for intermediate-level study. Each month, Dr. Larry Swain surveys the group to see which text students are most interested in exploring next. Some of the texts we could explore in a given month include: • Stump the Swain: Easy Classical Greek Readings • Easy Koine Greek Readings • Advanced Greek Readings: Gospel of Matthew • Advanced Greek Readings: Gospel of John Series • Advanced Greek Readings: Paul's Letter to the Galatians Note: Please refer to the Required Texts section on a month's iteration page to see which texts the group has decided upon for a given month. [show less]

This series will help introduce students to the breadth and depth of Latin texts available for intermediate-level study . Each month, our preceptors survey the group using the Intermediate Latin Series survey form to see which text students are most interested in exploring next. Some of the texts we could explore in a given month include: • Latin: The Vulgate Gospel of Matthew • Latin: Plautus' Miles Gloriosus (the Braggart Soldier) • Latin: Augustine's Confessions • Intermediate Latin Readings: Catullus • Intermediate Latin Readings: The Vulgate Bible 1 • Intermediate Latin Readings: The Vulgate Hester • Intermediate Latin Readings: Caesar’s Gallic Wars • Intermediate Latin Readings: Martial’s Epigrammata • Intermediate Latin Readings: Gesta Romanorum • Intermediate Latin Readings: Horace • Advanced Latin Readings: Cicero's Pro Archia Oration • Advanced Latin Readings: Aesop's Fables • Advanced Latin Readings: Hobbitus Ille • Advanced Latin Readings: Silius Italicus' 'Punica' • Advanced Latin Readings: Vergil's Aeneid in a Year Note: Please refer to the Required Texts section on a month's iteration page to see which texts the group has decided upon for a given month. [show less]

“I tell you there are more worlds, and more doors to them, than you will think of in many years!” Let’s read George MacDonald’s darkest fantasy! Exploring his family’s haunted residence, Mr. Vane uncovers a portal to a strange mirror dimension. He plunges into a parallel realm where ravens speak, skeletons do battle, and sleepers dream of a world redeemed… And where Lilith, exile of Eden, holds dominion. A mesmerizing allegory of death and salvation, Lilith exerted a powerful influence on C.S. Lewis’ Narnia. H.P. Lovecraft hailed MacDonald’s novel for its “compelling bizarrerie.” [show less]

Who was the real historical figure behind Santa Claus? In this module, we will read the earliest biographical sources about fourth century bishop, St Nicholas of Myra. Your preceptor will facilitate discussions of Nicholas' historical context and examine the development of his legend. Together, we will examine Byzantine stories of Nicholas' benefaction and miracles, his role as patron saint of seafarers, students and merchants (among others), and how he came to embody the tradition of gift-giving in Christendom. A wonderful end-of-year treat! [show less]

The basic premise of this module is that 1) there are some systematic similarities and dissimilarities between Tolkien's works (especially his legendarium) and the corpus of literature called the Old Testament; and 2) understanding these systematic similarities and dissimilarities enriches the reader's understanding and appreciation for BOTH bodies of literature. Fundamentally, both Tolkien's legendarium and the Old Testament address issues of metaphysics through the vehicle of narrative (with poetry and other genres sprinkled in, of course!). Session 1: Intersections of Tolkien and the Old Testament (introductory -- literary, mythological, theological) Session 2: Intersections of Archetypes (literary) Session 3: Intersections of Typology (literary) Session 4: Intersections of Salvation and Judgment (mythological) Session 5: Intersections of Death and Life (mythological) Session 6: Intersections of the Human Condition (theological) Session 7: Intersections of the Divine Being (theological) Session 8: Intersections of Textual Criticism (literary) [show less]

The Old Testament is remarkable among other works in ancient Near Eastern literature for its prominent inclusion of women in the narrative. This is especially noteworthy, considering that ancient Israelite society was a patriarchal society. This course explores the lives of individual women in the narrative and focuses on their collective contribution to the entire body of OT literature. Most notably, the Old Testament contains two books named specifically for women ("Ruth" and "Esther"), and three prominent hymns are explicitly attributed to female authors (Exodus 15, Judges 5, and 1 Samuel 2). Undoubtedly, the heroines of the Old Testament continue to inspire women (and men!) to this day. [show less]