The Old Testament 30 Years Later: Consistency and Change

The answer depends on the question. The question depends on underlying assumptions. The first part of the “class” will describe the methods used to interpret the Old Testament in the early part of the Christian era, in response to the Enlightenment and, for Catholics, Vatican II and, more recently in the developed world, as a consequence of post-modern culture. This first part of the “class” will serve as an Introduction to the second part in which pre-modern, modern, and post-modern assumptions, methods and approaches will be applied to the book of Ruth. “Students” are encouraged to read the book of Ruth (four short chapters, available in one’s own Bible or on the Internet) before coming to class. It is not essential to do so but pre-class reading will facilitate participation