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RLST 145: Introduction to the Old Testament

Lecture 06 - Biblical Narrative: The Stories of the Patriarchs (Genesis 12-36). This lecture continues with a review of scholarly views on the historical accuracy of the Bible. The narratives of the patriarchs and matriarchs are introduced and the covenant between Abraham and God - which ultimately leads to the formation of a nation - is explained. Central themes of the patriarchal stories include: God's call to Abraham, God's promise of a blessed and fruitful nation, threats to this promise (including the story of the binding of Isaac for sacrifice). Finally, after a significant character transformation, the third patriarch Jacob becomes Yisrael ("he who struggles with God"). (from oyc.yale.edu)

Lecture 06 - Biblical Narrative: The Stories of the Patriarchs (Genesis 12-36)

Time Lecture Chapters
[00:00:00] 1. Scholarly Opinion on the Historical Accuracy of the Bible
[00:13:05] 2. Divine Command and Divine Promise: Truths Freed from the Burden of Historicity
[00:20:06] 3. The Covenant between God and Abraham
[00:25:38] 4. The Story of Isaac
[00:39:12] 5. Jacob the Trickster

References
Lecture 6 - Biblical Narrative: The Stories of the Patriarchs (Genesis 12-36)
Instructor: Professor Christine Hayes. Transcript [html]. Audio [mp3]. Download Video [mov].

Go to the Course Home or watch other lectures:

Lecture 01 - The Parts of the Whole
Lecture 02 - The Hebrew Bible in Its Ancient Near Eastern Setting: Biblical Religion in Context
Lecture 03 - The Hebrew Bible in Its Ancient Near Eastern Setting: Genesis 1-4 in Context
Lecture 04 - Doublets and Contradictions, Seams and Sources: Genesis 5-11 and the Historical-Critical Method
Lecture 05 - Critical Approaches to the Bible: Introduction to Genesis 12-50
Lecture 06 - Biblical Narrative: The Stories of the Patriarchs (Genesis 12-36)
Lecture 07 - Israel in Egypt: Moses and the Beginning of Yahwism (Genesis 37- Exodus 4)
Lecture 08 - Exodus: From Egypt to Sinai (Exodus 5-24, 32; Numbers)
Lecture 09 - The Priestly Legacy: Cult and Sacrifice, Purity and Holiness in Leviticus and Numbers
Lecture 10 - Biblical Law: The Three Legal Corpora of JE (Exodus), P (Leviticus and Numbers) and D
Lecture 11 - On the Steps of Moab: Deuteronomy
Lecture 12 - The Deuteronomistic History: Life in the Land (Joshua and Judges)
Lecture 13 - The Deuteronomistic History: Prophets and Kings (1 and 2 Samuel)
Lecture 14 - The Deuteronomistic History: Response to Catastrophe (1 and 2 Kings)
Lecture 15 - Hebrew Prophecy: The Non-Literary Prophets
Lecture 16 - Literary Prophecy: Amos
Lecture 17 - Literary Prophecy: Hosea and Isaiah
Lecture 18 - Literary Prophecy: Micah, Zephaniah, Nahum and Habbakuk
Lecture 19 - Literary Prophecy: Perspectives on the Exile (Jeremiah, Ezekiel and 2nd Isaiah)
Lecture 20 - Responses to Suffering and Evil: Lamentations and Wisdom Literature
Lecture 21 - Biblical Poetry: Psalms and Song of Songs
Lecture 22 - The Restoration: 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah
Lecture 23 - Visions of the End: Daniel and Apocalyptic Literature
Lecture 24 - Alternative Visions: Esther, Ruth, and Jonah