Course Details

The biblical story of Samson features extraordinary examples of flawed leadership starring a high-powered demagogue who resists efforts from all sides to control his impulses. What theological message could possibly be encoded in such scandalous episodes as blatant violation of sacred vows, liaisons with ladies of the night, violent outbursts featuring a roaring lion, an uprooted city gate, and the jawbone of an ass? And what do these stories tell us about ourselves? We will bring fresh eyes to a close reading of the story of Samson in order to uncover the interplay of divine will and human perversity in this troubling tale of seduction, destruction, murder, and other mayhem. This study group has a high class size capacity.