Middlebury

RELI0388A-F23

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.
Course Reference Number (CRN):
92696
Subject Code:
RELI
Course Number:
0388
Section Identifier:
A

Course

RELI 0388

All Sections in Fall 2023

Fall 2023

RELI0388A-F23 Seminar (Schine)