Over the past several weeks, David Conner has led the ASH class in an investigation into “hermeneutics,” a fancy word for different ways to interpret the Bible. For example, unless one chooses to take a literalistic approach, it’s important to know about a passage’s historical and cultural context when applying it to our own context. Psychological and grammatical interpretation and thinking about the passage’s genre are also important ways to approach a scripture. Or if it’s an allegory, such as the Parable of the Sower, it’s important to analyze its various components. We all learned a lot and will bring fresh approaches to reading the Bible based on David’s presentations.

Starting on Sunday, February 15, Constance Wise will plunge us into an investigation of “theodicy,” another fancy word that means different ways to answer the question, “If God is good, why is there evil in the world?” Philosophers have been proposing answers since the time of the ancient Greeks and many, though not all, have linked the question to human free will. In our ASH class, we will consider the wisdom of answers from several Christians such as Saint Augustine. Then we will turn to ideas from our friends, the Jews, such as Harold Kushner who gave his answer in his 2004 book When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Next, we will consider answers from secular sources such as the 18th century philosophers Immanuel Kant and David Hume. Since, up to this point, classes have focused on ideas proposed by men, in later weeks, we will focus on contemporary or recent women philosophers including Hannah Arendt, a 20th century German Jew who escaped the Holocaust and later proposed a concept she called “the banality of evil.” Along the way, we will formulate our own answers as individuals and as a class. These sessions on theodicy will probably last about six weeks, though as current class members know, we can often be delayed by robust discussions with ideas flowing from everyone. We meet at 9:00 am every Sunday in the Boulevard Room. It’s not necessary to attend every week so, when you can, come join us!