SU-23

"Idolatry" is a frequent sin in the Old Testament, but what exactly is it? The nature of idolatry—how it is configured and shaped, why it is forbidden, and its consequences—is not static, but shifts throughout Israelite history. In this course, we will engage the following questions: Why is idolatry bad? Do idols have power? To what extent was ancient Israelite religion unique in its prohibition of divine images? How do understandings of idolatry shift over time in the Old Testament and in Israelite religion? By the end of the course, students will be empowered to trace the history of the concept of idolatry throughout the Old Testament canon with an eye toward discerning and responding to idolatry in current contexts.