Middlebury

RELI 0388

Reading the Book of Job

Reading the Book of Job
Why evil? Why do the innocent suffer? Why would God allow it? The Book of Job asked these questions millennia ago, giving not an answer, but at least a response. Framed by a prose tale on the patient Job, the book is mainly a debate between an impatient Job and his “friends” that has continued to our day, in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic thought. We will study the debate on the meaning of the book of Job in philosophy and religion, reading ancient, medieval and modern commentary (e.g. Maimonides, Kant, Voltaire) and literary responses to Job (e.g. Kafka, Robert Frost), Some familiarity with Biblical studies or philosophy of religion is helpful, but not required. 3 hrs. sem.
Subject:
Religion
Department:
Religion
Division:
Humanities
Requirements Fulfilled:
PHL
Equivalent Courses:
FYSE 1384 *
JWST 0388

Sections in Fall 2023

Fall 2023

RELI0388A-F23 Seminar (Schine)