Excellent Work!

What did you love best about Biblical Wisdom Literature?

The lecturer's intimate knowledge of the subject matter combined with a life of devotionally interacting with these texts.

Any additional comments?

The Great Courses Series often employs biblical scholars who are erudite and professional, but uncommonly do they employ one whose expertise is colored by a life of meeting God in and through the analyzed texts. Critical but also devotional, this treatment on the biblical wisdom literature has just the right synchrony of features to impart a holistic treatment to the audience.

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11 people found this helpful

Insightful and through

It was a well structured presentation. Also the depth of the each chapter was complete. The discussion lecture format of each chapter, was very good and informative.

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9 people found this helpful

Easy Listen

Fr Koterski is delightful to listen to in a variety of ways. His lectures are well planned and presented. The book that comes with it makes following along easy as well as looking back at what was just taught or looking ahead to what the next lecture will consider. He has an excellent speaking voice, well paced, easy to hear and understand.

I would certainly consider purchasing more of his audiobooks in the future.

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5 people found this helpful

Wonderful transition course between OT and NT

Absolutely wonderful Great Course, and I really can't say enough good about Fr. Koterski's entire lesson plan. I am not sure what I was expecting when I purchased it, but I was quickly drawn into his philosophical treatment style of the sapiential literature. This is probably the most accessible comprehensive treatment I have found regarding the wisdom books/Kethuvim and it gives a really fair treatment to those works from the standpoint of all the major religions. Very complete (and entertaining) treatment of Job/Qoheleth contrasts and, if you've never been in love with the Book of Sirach, Fr. K makes it easy...

This is a niche course and I would suggest it fits well for those who have already completed a review of the Hebrew Bible/OT and are looking to dive more into the philosophy at play in, "those books at the end." Some really unique perspectives make this totally worth the investment.

Punctuated by psalm interludes (and some of that wonderful Ignatian spirituality!), this was just really easy to focus on, understand and complete. I feel Jesuits have such an absolute gift of clear and succinct theological instruction and this is no exception. I ended up absolutely loving this course. It's one to go back to and ponder again after you spend some time re-reading after considering the insights. Fabulous written material. Thank you, Fr. Koterski. God bless, sir.

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4 people found this helpful

Heady Stuff

What made the experience of listening to Biblical Wisdom Literature the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed Fr. Koterski's thorough knowledge of the subject matter. He often gave insights that I would never have gleaned from other sources I have read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Biblical Wisdom Literature?

Reaching the end of the course; I thought my head would explode from the plethora of detail that Father K brings to the table.

What does Father Joseph Koterski, S.J. bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He has a personal wisdom and academic strength that, even if one were to read the same facts in a book, one would not feel the same impact.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Read the book. We could not fit this stuff into a movie without losing something of value.

Any additional comments?

In spite of my preceding contents, a condensed version of the most salient points might attract more readers tempted by the genre.

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4 people found this helpful

Surprised by wisdom!

I am a lay person who has enjoyed
Many different great courses. This course was helpful in explanation of the background of texts both historically and theologically. He approaches theodicy in the biblical wisdom tradition very artfully and really tied the diverse biblical cannon nicely together. I’d recommend this to others looking for an academic introduction to biblical wisdom literature and philosophy.

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3 people found this helpful

Struggled to finish...

For me the professor's presentation style detracted from the subject material, and I just could not get passed it.

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3 people found this helpful

Very good lecture for believers

While the lecture was very enjoyable to me (I am a Christian) I think it may require too much faith and knowledge from a person not belonging to the Judeo-Christian tradition.

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2 people found this helpful

Good information wrong format

The information provided is very good but some serious limitations make it less helpful in the way I use it. I listen while walking every day and the author persists in referencing verses or sections of the scripture without quoting them, expecting the reader to refer to them themselves which is not practical on a brisk walk or run! Had he read the relevant verses it would have been vastly improved but he did not.

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1 person found this helpful

Thank you!

Hi Fr. Koterski! I attended the University of Scranton from 1985 to 1989 and took classes from Fathers Mohr, Masterson, Hill, Sable and J.J. Quinn! Thank you for continuing my Jesuit education!

Frank J. Merk
fjmteach@gmail.com

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1 person found this helpful