Religion, Politics, and Leadership Failure in the Bible: Studies in the Book of Samuel

Catalog description

This course will be a critical reading of the book of Samuel, revolving around two axes: (1) religion and politics and (2) leadership and the human condition (or human fallibility). By the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to articulate: (1) the structure, purposes, and theological outlook of the book of Samuel; (2) biblical insight into the relationships among politics, religion, and leadership; and (3) three examples where the book of Samuel is a source for understanding the human condition in our own day. We will also explore existential issues embodied in the text that are relevant to contemporary concerns–such as “problems of power,” “leadership and accountability,” “family and loyalty,” “gender and sexuality,” “divine and human law,” “agency and responsibility,” “cultivation of mindfulness,” “transformation of self,” and “the Other.” This course fulfills the Leadership in the Bible Rabbinical school requirement.