Taken as an individual work, Genesis has a claim to be the most influential book ever written. It is a foundational document for two of the world’s great religions, and many of its stories have been incorporated into a third, Islam. Yet it is, in many ways, not a coherent account at all, and is full of challenges and contradictions. This class, led by Rob Hunter, will look at different interpretations of the messages of the book and try to see where it is attempting to lead us. The class will draw on a variety of writings about Genesis, especially a recent provocative book by Marilynne Robinson, that presents Genesis as an inquiry into the nature of good and evil that offers deep insight into how humans and God can relate to one another. Each class will address a particular theme or story in Genesis, and no “homework” is necessary. 102A
