What We Do

ICJS Spring Mini-Course
Open to friends and members of the ICJS

Interpreting Difficult Texts

A course taught by
Rosann M. Catalano and Janis L. Koch

Many of the texts Jews and Christians regard as sacred are difficult to interpret precisely because their meanings are deeply troubling. "Difficult" texts are difficult in different ways and for a variety of reasons, but one element many of these texts tend to have in common is an "other" with whom the author is contending. Both the Jewish and Christian traditions historically have contend-ed with various "others" through the rhetoric of polemic. The polemic may be blatant, it may distort, it may be insidiously subtle, or it may attempt to co-opt something that belongs to the other; but in every instance, it is dangerous precisely because it characterizes the "other" in negative terms.

The question arises: What do we do with these difficult and oftentimes dangerous texts? Is it possible to reha-bilitate them or should we ignore them in the hope that they will be forgotten?

"Interpreting Difficult Texts" aims at finding ways to answer these questions by comparing polemical texts from both traditions to illustrate this rhetorical phe-nomenon and its negative impact. The course will focus especially on four problematic New Testament texts (two from the Gospel of Matthew and two from the let-ters of Paul) in an effort to determine if the polemical nature of these texts renders them inherently and unre-deemably anti-Judaic, or if they may also include a positive teaching.

The ICJS invites you to bring a friend, join old friends, and make new ones in an atmosphere of lively exchange and stimulating discussion!

When:
Tuesdays, March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 2006
7:00-9:00 p.m.

Where:
Bolton Street Synagogue
212 West Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21210

Cost:
$60 per person. If you bring a spouse or friend the
cost is $45 per person. (Includes the cost of printed materials.)

To secure a space, please return the registration form at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions, please call Laura Riger at 410-523-7227.

Click here for registration form.

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The Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies
956 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore, MD 21204
410.494.7161 / fax: 410.494.7169
email: Info@icjs.org