OLTORAH - The Bible as Literature: Reading Torah

Course Description

Have you ever wondered how the first five books of the Bible—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy—came to be such powerful and enduring stories? In this course, we’ll read these foundational texts as theology and literature, shaped by narrative style, structure, and voice. Together, we’ll explore how the Torah tells its stories, from the sweeping creation narratives to the intricate legal codes and genealogies that reveal the values of an ancient world to the etiologies that explain the cultural geography of the Fertile Crescent. We’ll discuss the Documentary Hypothesis and what it suggests about multiple authors and sources woven together over time. Along the way, we’ll compare the Torah’s stories with other ancient writings such as the Enuma Elish and The Epic of Gilgamesh, uncovering surprising parallels and shared themes about creation, heroism, law, and human purpose. No background or reading is required, just curiosity and an interest in great storytelling. Whether you’re drawn to the poetry of Genesis, the drama of Exodus, or the moral vision of Deuteronomy, this course will invite you to see the way that the stories of the Bible continue to be a significant contributor to popular culture and storytelling. Type: Discussion and Lecture.

Notes

Instructor: Dr. Natasha Whitton

Location: St. James Place, Theatre Room