The Bible Says What?: Dealing with Difficult Scripture Passages

You will love this course. Expertly and faithfully taught, this special 12-lecture series promises numerous “Aha!” moments. You will learn, laugh and grow as you enjoy this amazing set of talks in your car or at home.

The Scriptures can be the inspired word of God and a puzzle, all at the same time. Even for Christians, questions arise about appropriate roles of women as described in the Bible, for example, 'Wives be subordinate to your husbands' (Col 3:18) and 'women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak' (1 Cor 14:34).

Commands such as 'Slaves, be obedient to your human masters' (Eph 6:5) or 'Call no one on earth your father' (Matt 23:9) can be challenging. Other perplexing passages appear to portray Jesus in a negative light, for instance in Mark 7:27 when Jesus call the Syrophoenician woman a dog or when God kills most of humanity in a flood (Gen 6-8).

Some passages elude our understanding because of factors such as the ancient culture of the author, the inexactness of a translation, and centuries of creative interpretation, often from outside the Church. Using modern methods, and approaching these sometimes confounding texts forthrightly as both a Scripture scholar and a person of faith, Fr. Patrick Mullen will pull back some of the fog of centuries, culture, language and translation to reveal the often hidden, but still discernible, sense of the enduring Word of God.

This course will enable you to experience your bible with newfound joy and understanding.