The Bible's Prehistory, Purpose, and Political Future

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/bible-history

Introduction

**Course Review: The Bible's Prehistory, Purpose, and Political Future on Coursera** In an age where historical narratives are often viewed through a modern lens, "The Bible's Prehistory, Purpose, and Political Future" offers a refreshing perspective that delves deeply into the complex socio-political landscape of ancient Israel and Judah. Delivered by Dr. Wright, this Coursera course invites learners to explore the multifaceted relationships between historical events, cultural influences, and the biblical narratives that arise from them. **Course Overview** The course provides a captivating historical context for understanding what motivated the biblical authors to craft their accounts, especially in light of the political catastrophes that befell their nation. Dr. Wright expertly guides participants through this journey, employing a variety of academic theories and historical analyses to reveal how the Bible not only reflects a people's hopes and despair but also serves as a foundational document in constructing a national identity after defeat. **Syllabus Breakdown** 1. **The Riddle That Has Yet to Be Solved:** This opening module encourages learners to step back and contemplate the geographical and historical context of Israel and Judah. It sets the stage for understanding the external influences from powerful civilizations such as Egypt, and how their retreat allowed smaller states to emerge. Through identifying key historical events and their implications, students lay the groundwork for more complex analyses in subsequent modules. 2. **The Rise and Fall:** Moving forward, this module examines the dynamics between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, highlighting their individual stories of emergence, power, and eventual decline. Learners delve into the leadership and events that shaped these kingdoms, gaining insights into the biblical authors' narratives and their creative interpretations of history. 3. **The Making of the Bible as a Response to Defeat:** Here, the course addresses the critical question of the Bible's creation, especially in the context of the trauma following the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests. By contrasting extrabiblical depictions and biblical texts, students learn how narratives were crafted in response to the cultural and political despair faced by the communities in exile. 4. **Reinventing the Hero:** In an intriguing pivot, this module examines the biblical authors' narrative strategies, focusing on the absence of traditional heroism in favor of a more communal identity through procreation and continued existence. This significant shift reflects the pragmatic needs of a people navigating through foreign rule, encouraging a reevaluation of how heroism and survival were portrayed. 5. **A Wise and Discerning People:** Challenging the elitist tendencies of ancient societies, this section presents the Bible as an accessible curriculum for all. Learners explore how the biblical authors democratized knowledge and moral standards, empowering communities to hold their leaders accountable—a remarkable precursor to modern democratic principles. 6. **Beyond Morality: The Bible as Political Model:** The course culminates in a synthesis of the learned material, reflecting on the theological and ethical frameworks that redefined Israel's identity. This final module not only asks why the Bible emerged in this context but also encourages learners to consider its implications for future societal models. **Recommendation** "The Bible's Prehistory, Purpose, and Political Future" is highly recommended for anyone interested in theology, history, or political science. The course fosters critical thinking and encourages students to engage deeply with texts that have shaped countless generations. Dr. Wright’s approach is intellectually stimulating while remaining approachable for learners of various backgrounds, making it suitable for both casual readers and serious scholars. Whether you’re a biblical scholar, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the underlying processes that crafted one of the most significant texts in human history, this course offers valuable insights and an engaging academic adventure. **Conclusion** Completing this course will not only enhance your understanding of the Bible and its historical context but also equip you with important analytical skills applicable beyond the realm of biblical studies. Enroll today and embark on a transformative exploration of one of history's most profound texts.

Syllabus

The Riddle That Has Yet to be Solved

Our larger goal is to understand why the Bible was written. So first we need to take a step back and form a larger view of the world in which the kingdoms of Israel and Judah emerged. This module sets the stage for all that follows. Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: 1) Describe how Israel's geographical location, situated between two great civilizational centers, had a decisive impact on history, 2) Identify why Egypt was interested in Canaan (the land of the Bible), 3) Describe the context in which the oldest references to Israel and places in the land of Israel appear, and 4) Analyze how the withdrawal of Egyptian influence from Canaan made it possible for territorial states (such as Israel and Judah) to emerge in the first millennium BCE.

In the last module, we studied the activity of the great cultures of Egypt and Mesopotamia in the Levant. These major groups played a key role in forming the backdrop for the rise of Israel and Judah. After Egyptian and Mesopotamian rulers withdrew from the area, they left breathing room for smaller groups—such as Israel and Judah—to grow and extend their own power. In this module, we will explore the more modest cultures of Israel and Judah, from the rise and fall of their respective kingdoms. Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: 1) Differentiate between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and describe the circumstances that led to the rise of both, 2) Identify key figures and causes in the downfall of Israel and Judah, respectively, and 3) Analyze how the biblical authors take creative liberties in their portrayal of historical events pertaining to Israel and Judah.

In this module, we dive into the question of why the biblical authors created the Bible. We begin by looking at various depictions of how Judahites were living after the fall of Judah. These depictions provide us with insight into what the biblical authors were facing after the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests. We then turn our attention to the biblical writings as we deconstruct and reconstruct the text in order to discover what drives the biblical project. By engaging the text critically, we begin to see how the biblical authors creatively combined sources to create a pan-Israelite history. Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: 1) Differentiate between extrabiblical and biblical depictions of Judahite communities living in various locations after the fall of Judah, 2) Identify distinct traditions or sources within the biblical text and distinguish between core narratives and supplements or links, and 3) Compare and contrast the dominant theories concerned with the composition of the Bible.

In this module, we will begin by exploring a clue that adds further support to the general thesis of this course (i.e., that the Bible is a project of peoplehood in response to the defeat of the state). That clue is the absence of martyrdom and glorious death in the biblical narratives. We will see how the biblical authors reshape their history as they fashion narratives and law codes that promote “name-making” through procreation rather than heroic death. Through values that we take for granted today, the authors work to ensure the preservation of their people under conditions of foreign rule. Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: 1) Identify narrative texts and law codes that relate to procreation, heroic death, and the expanded roles for both men and women, 2) Differentiate between the ideals of heroism found in the Bible and those found in non-biblical text, and 3) Understand that these values emerge out of pragmatic concerns related to corporate survival and the formation of a new kind of political community.

As in most ancient societies, knowledge and education are reserved for elites. (The situation is not so different today.) This week we will see how the biblical authors depart radically from this principle. The Bible can be understood, Dr. Wright will suggest, as an educational curriculum for the nation. It fosters a broad national consciousness and mobilizes a people after the defeat of the state.Closely related to the Bible’s educational ideals, we will learn how the biblical authors promote a principle of “open access.” They make divine knowledge, rules, regulations publicly available so that the people as a whole can hold in check the power of their leaders. Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: 1) Identify the distinctive qualities of biblical prophetic and priestly literature, 2) Explain how the Bible may be understood as an educational curriculum for the people as a whole, and 3) Compare the Bible to other pedagogical reforms.

This week, to wrap up our course, we turn back to the question of why with which we began. Why did the Bible originate in ancient Israel and Judah? We will begin by synthesizing what we’ve learned so far in order to bring it to bear on this fundamental question. Thereafter we will examine the most fascinating means by which the biblical authors reshape Israel’s identity. These means include matters that relate to theology, the covenant, and covenantal ethics. We will conclude the course by raising the question of what role the Bible may have to play in our futures. Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: 1) Answer the question of why the Bible emerged in Israel and Judah rather than in other societies of the ancient Near East, 2) Identify the distinct theological means by which the biblical authors reshape the identity of Israel in their grand project of peoplehood, 3) Discuss the future possibilities of "biblical" projects and of the Bible itself.