Biblical Wisdom Literature

Delve into a rich and complex body of writings that have influenced theologians and philosophers for millennia in this course on the wisdom literature of the Bible.

• By This Professor
• 01: Introduction to Biblical Wisdom Literature
• 02: The Place of Proverbs in the Bible
• 03: Collections of Proverbs
• 04: The Poems of the Book of Proverbs
• 05: The Relation of Proverbs to Covenant
• 06: Interlude-Some Wisdom Psalms
• 07: Job and the Suffering of the Innocent
• 08: Job-The First Cycle of Conversations
• 09: Job-Deepening the Conversation
• 10: Job-Second and Third Conversation Cycles
• 11: Job-The Wisdom Poem and the Conclusion
• 12: Job-Elihu's Defense of God's Honor
• 13: Job-Reflections on the Book as a Whole
• 14: Interlude-Prayer in Times of Suffering
• 15: Qoheleth-The Inadequacy of Human Wisdom
• 16: Qoheleth-Skepticism about Easy Answers
• 17: Qoheleth-Keeping Faith during Confusion
• 18: Interlude-Wisdom Psalms for Uncertainty
• 19: Sirach-A Traditional Approach to Wisdom
• 20: Sirach on the Cultivation of Virtue
• 21: Sirach's Wisdom Poetry
• 22: Sirach on Divine Providence within History
• 23: The Song of Songs-Love as the Answer
• 24: The Song of Songs-Levels of Meaning
• 25: Interlude-Wisdom Psalms on Perseverance
• 26: Daniel-Wisdom through Dream Visions
• 27: Daniel-God's Providential Plan for History
• 28: The Wisdom of Solomon on Divine Justice
• 29: The Wisdom of Solomon on Death
• 30: The Wisdom of Solomon on Prayer
• 31: The Wisdom of Solomon on Divine Providence
• 32: Interlude-A Wisdom Psalm on Torah
• 33: Jesus as Wisdom Teacher
• 34: Jesus and the Wisdom Stories in the Gospels
• 35: Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount
• 36: Overview of Biblical Wisdom Literature