Old Testament
"Genesis" (link to reading)
"Exodus" (link to reading)
New Testament
"Matthew" (link to reading)
Author: Unknown/Various
Date: c. 6th BCE-4th centuries CE
Location: Near East
Course Unit: Origins/The Other/Extraordinary People
Context:
"It has become increasingly clear in recent years that the Hebrew Bible (or the Christian Old Testament) contains some of the finest literature that we have, and biblical literature has begun to take its places not only in the synagogue and the church but also among the classics of world literature. [...T]he Hebrew Bible has quite a few literary high points, and by focusing on those high points we can reclaim achievements of ancient Israelite writers for world literature." (Linafelt 1)
"Any reader of the New Testament traverses well-worn ground. The twenty-seven individual writings that date from 2000 years ago carry with them centuries of interpretation[...]The Christian Bible, comprised of the New Testament and the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Old Testament), has been read by more groups of individuals than any other book ever written. This panoply of readers, current and past, approaches the New Testament from a variety of of perspectives." (Keefer 1)
Keefer, Kyle. The New Testament as Literature. Oxford University Press, 2008.
Linafelt, Tod. The Hebrew Bible as Literature. Oxford University Press, 2016.
Topics/Questions to Consider While Reading:
"Genesis"
How is the creation of the world described?
How do human beings fit into the creation of the world?
How many gods are there?
What is the relationship between the gods and human beings?
What is the relationship between nature and human beings?
"Exodus"
How is the concept of the "Other" represented?
Who is the "Other"?
How is the "Other" treated?
"Matthew"
Why is Christ an extraordinary person?
What does Christ accomplish?
What are Christ's values?