Having only taken one of each class I'm already knee deep in assignments. What's amazing, though, is that the subject matter is so fascinating it hardly feels like work at all.
I've always followed Judaism, largely as an extension of my affiliation with the Unitarian Universalist Church. One of my classes (IPS 417) is titled "The Literature of Ancient Israel." This class takes a multifaceted look at the so-called "Old Testament" in addition to other seminal works.
I've always considered the Bible, both New and Old, enigmatic and impenetrable. I've also held many prejudices against these documents, largely as factually inaccurate and laden with antiquated morality. In short, I saw little place for either the New or Old Testaments in modern life.
My blind intolerance, even in these first few days, is giving way to a more objective appreciation for the many factors that shaped the Bible. The book's organization, language, history, and moral teachings, when viewed through the objective lens of a scholar, prove it to be an invaluable resource for understanding spirituality in the modern world.
I'm yet to fall head-over-heals in love with this tome but I sincerely look forward to learning more.
BTW: This is my first blog and I wouldn't be doing it were it not an assignment, so here's a word of thanks for the professor who nudged me into doing something slightly outside the box. Maybe pushing limits and breaking new ground is what school is all about.
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