How Do You Read It? is Christ’s question to the lawyer just before the “Parable of the Good Samaritan” in the Gospel of Luke,

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, 

“Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 

He said to him, 

“What is written in the law? How do you read it?” (Luke 10:25-26)

Christ suggests that the way we read influences how we answer questions about life and living, and about our relationship with God and others. If this is the case (we think so!), it is imperative that we understand and consciously construct the lens through which we read texts and apprehend the world.

Our project, then, is to explore the Hebrew Bible and other great literature, guided by ancient rabbis, early and medieval Christian thinkers and poets, and modern scholars, authors, and artists, often all at once and in concert with one another.



Supplementing his Hillsdale College Online Course on Genesis, Professor of English Dr. Justin Jackson will slowly work through Genesis and occasionally detour to discuss related literature, both ancient and modern. After spending good time in Genesis, we’ll move on to other biblical texts or great literature.


This series is:

  • For anyone desiring deeper and fuller understanding of the Bible;

  • For responding, directly and indirectly, to your questions prompted by the Hillsdale College Online Courses;

  • For teaching, discussing, and learning how to read literature fruitfully.

This series is not:

  • Restricted to any one perspective. Many perspectives, including Christian theological, Rabbinic, mythological, and others have a place in our toolbelt, and we will use them all;

  • For apologetics or ideological pursuit. Respond however you please, but know that combative emails and comments will be laughed about and discarded;

  • For professors or graduate students. This is introductory material and almost all of it debatable, so please ask questions, but don’t expect debate.


Highly Suggested Reading:

The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary - Robert Alter

OR

Genesis: Translation and Commentary - Robert Alter


More from Dr. Jackson:

Live Q&A on Genesis, David, and Exodus Story

Christology in Literature - The Thomistic Institute

First Interview with Chuong Nguyen

Second Interview with Chuong Nguyen

Third Interview with Chuong Nguyen


Additional Resources:

  • Ancient Christian reading practices:

Biblical Exegesis and the Formation of Christian Culture

The Mystery of Christ

  • Medieval exegesis:

Medieval Exegesis: The Four Senses of Scripture, Vol. 1

Medieval Exegesis : The Four Senses of Scripture, Vol. 2

  • Second Temple Judaism:

Two Gods in Heaven: Jewish Concepts of God in Antiquity

  • Torah with Rabbinic Commentary:

Bereishis Genesis, Part I and II, ArtScroll Tanach Series, Translation with Commentary

  • Mythological:

Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic: Essays in the History of the Religion of Israel

Old Testament Parallels (Fully Revised and Expanded Third Edition): Laws and Stories from the Ancient Near East

  • Literary approach:

The Art of Biblical Narrative

  • René Girard

The Girard Reader

I See Satan Fall Like Lightning


Questions or comments?

Contact us: bibleandliterature@protonmail.com

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Reading Scripture and Great Literature

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How Do You Read It? is an ongoing lecture series simply exploring and explaining different ways to read the Bible and great literature.