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Biblical Wisdom Literature

via The Great Courses Plus

Overview

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In the history of wisdom literature, few traditions match the solace and profundity found in the teachings of the Bible. For centuries, people have taken comfort and insight from the familiar yet eternally resonant writings of the Bible's wisdom literature. Through their inspirational teachings, the sages of the biblical wisdom tradition offer time-honored advice about some of life's most difficult questions.

And yet, few of us realize that these great teachings are part of a larger tradition - a rich and complex body of writings that have influenced theologians, philosophers, and everyday men and women for millennia.

In 36 thought-provoking lectures, award-winning professor Father Joseph Koterski takes you deep inside this tradition, exploring enlightening teachings that have inspired the world and that continue to speak to life's most important questions. It's a rare opportunity to study an important but often overlooked tradition of wisdom teaching. And there's no better guide than Father Koterski. Intellectually incisive yet engaging and accessible, he offers both the expertise of a philosophy and theology scholar and the insights of an ordained priest who has experienced the power of these teachings in everyday life.

Join Father Koterski for this journey and delve deeply into profound teachings that have shaped the faith of millions for centuries and still apply to our lives today.

Syllabus

  • Introduction to Biblical Wisdom Literature
  • The Place of Proverbs in the Bible
  • Collections of Proverbs
  • The Poems of the Book of Proverbs
  • The Relation of Proverbs to Covenant
  • Interlude-Some Wisdom Psalms
  • Job and the Suffering of the Innocent
  • Job-The First Cycle of Conversations
  • Job-Deepening the Conversation
  • Job-Second and Third Conversation Cycles
  • Job-The Wisdom Poem and the Conclusion
  • Job-Elihu's Defense of God's Honor
  • Job-Reflections on the Book as a Whole
  • Interlude-Prayer in Times of Suffering
  • Qoheleth-The Inadequacy of Human Wisdom
  • Qoheleth-Skepticism about Easy Answers
  • Qoheleth-Keeping Faith during Confusion
  • Interlude-Wisdom Psalms for Uncertainty
  • Sirach-A Traditional Approach to Wisdom
  • Sirach on the Cultivation of Virtue
  • Sirach's Wisdom Poetry
  • Sirach on Divine Providence within History
  • The Song of Songs-Love as the Answer
  • The Song of Songs-Levels of Meaning
  • Interlude-Wisdom Psalms on Perseverance
  • Daniel-Wisdom through Dream Visions
  • Daniel-God's Providential Plan for History
  • The Wisdom of Solomon on Divine Justice
  • The Wisdom of Solomon on Death
  • The Wisdom of Solomon on Prayer
  • The Wisdom of Solomon on Divine Providence
  • Interlude-A Wisdom Psalm on Torah
  • Jesus as Wisdom Teacher
  • Jesus and the Wisdom Stories in the Gospels
  • Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount
  • Overview of Biblical Wisdom Literature

Taught by

Joseph Koterski, S.J.

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