Before the Bible Was a Book

Before the Bible Was a Book

Saturdays, Feb 28 & Mar 7 • 9:00am-2:00pm CST

This 10-hour course offers an immersive introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh) as a living, evolving sacred tradition shaped by history, trauma, poetry, ethical struggle, and communal memory.

We do not “cover” the Hebrew Scriptures; we enter a conversation already in progress.

Rather than treating the text as static doctrine or Christian precursor, participants will engage the Hebrew Scriptures on their own terms—listening for multiple voices, unresolved tensions, and deep moral imagination.

This course uses a living curriculum approach. We will not attempt to harmonize contradictions, defend doctrine, or rush to application.

Instead, we will engage the Hebrew Scriptures as a living tradition—shaped by history, argument, poetry, trauma, hope, and deep moral imagination.

Our task is not mastery of the text, but ethical participation in it.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the structure, genres, and historical development of the Hebrew Scriptures
• Distinguish between historical context, literary form, and theological meaning
• Identify common myths, misreadings, and harmful interpretations
• Articulate major theological tensions within the Hebrew Bible without forcing resolution
• Engage Hebrew Scripture ethically, honoring Jewish tradition and resisting supersessionism (replacement theology)
• Demonstrate increased pastoral competence when Scripture intersects with trauma, power, and injustice

This course is designed to meet the educational needs for Unity S.E.E. students, however, the class and experiences are designed for everyone and anyone interested in Hebrew Scriptures.