Examines troublesome biblical texts by exploring hermeneutical methods that emphasize reading biblical texts redemptively within their ancient-world setting and canonical development. Students will shape the selection of texts and topics such as: ownership and harsh treatment of slaves, corporal punishment, cutting off a wife’s hand, forced marriage/rape of war captives, genocide in holy war, collective punishment of an entire family for the crime of one person, gender inequality, prohibition of homosexuality and premarital sex, a supposedly loving God casting people into never-ending torment, etc. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Same as OLDT 0541.