Students are introduced to material designed to increase their awareness of the geographical and cultural settings in which the Hebrew Bible arose and which significantly impact how its writings is interpreted. Readings and lectures will be supplemented through museum work. These resources will illustrate the distance between the Bible’s original context and our own, while also providing tools to aid in spanning this distance in ways that benefit today’s church. Consistent attention will be given throughout these courses to how particular backgrounds enhance a close reading of particular texts.