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Frequently Asked Questions
What
is the Bible as Literature Challenge and what does it do?
Professor
Luzzi's Bible as Literature Challenge will use
an innovative yearlong format of 12 monthly sessions to
bring you inside one of the world's greatest works with
fresh insights into the Bible's power of storytelling that can inspire
your everyday lives.
How
do I join?
Just
click Register
Now and you'll be guided through the quick & easy
steps. Remember, space is limited, so if you're interested join
now.
WHEN: Our
usual meeting time will be on the final Tuesday of the month from 6pm
to 7:30pm [except October 22nd, when meeting is on
next-to-last Tuesday of month, and December 19th, which
meets on the Thursday before the holidays]. We
will follow this schedule:
September
24, 2024, Tuesday • Genesis/Old Testament
October
22, 2024, Tuesday • Exodus/Old Testament
November
26, 2024, Tuesday • Job/Old Testament
December
19, 2024, Thursday • Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of
Songs/Old Testament
January
28, 2025, Tuesday • Isaiah, Lamentations /Old
Testament
February
25, 2025, Tuesday • East of Eden/John Steinbeck [novel]
March
25, 2025, Tuesday • Matthew, Mark /New Testament
April
29, 2025, Tuesday • Luke, John /New Testament
May
27, 2025, Tuesday • Acts of the Apostles /New Testament
June
24, 2025, Tuesday • Romans, Ephesians /New
Testament
July
29, 2025, Tuesday • Daniel, Revelation/Old Testament,
New Testament
August
26, 2025, Tuesday • Gilead/Marilynne Robinson [novel]
What
if I can't make it to one or more of the live classes?
No
problem at all! I will record a Video of each class,
so you can view it if you can't make it to the live session. You can
also watch the Video even if you did attend the live seminar and just
want to go back and review the main issues discussed. The videos are
available for your viewing for up to one year after the event.
What
is the format of the Bible as Literature Challenge?
Highly
interactive! Imagine your favorite college class, with students
going back and forth with the professor, exchanging ideas and engaged
in lively debate. That's our model. I want to hear your ideas.
while I explain the Bible and help you understand his work.
Do I
need prior knowledge of the Bible to participate?
Absolutely
not. I will assume no prior knowledge or study of the Bible If you have
read or studied it before, great, that will be a wonderful addition to
our course. If not, no worries, I will explain all elements and aspects
of the Bible as they arise in class to help you with this first
encounter.
What
translation of the Bible should I use?
Whichever
one you like! There will be no "standard" English version
because I know that many of you already have a favorite or "go
to" edition that you've been reading. In fact, in class we will
discuss the different versions of the Bible, their strengths and
weaknesses, and how they can work together to help bring us inside this
work's linguistic universe. I will be using the New Oxford
Annotated Bible (New Revised Standard Version, 5th ed.). This
edition is available for purchase at my Virtual
Book Club page at Bookshop.org, under "VBC
Books of Interest." I will also be using the website www.biblegateway.com, which
gives access to multiple versions of the Bible, include the New
International Version (NIV) and the King James Version (KJV).
Why
are we reading novels by John Steinbeck and Marilynne
Robinson as part of our course on the Bible?
I chose
these works by two of the leading authors in American literature
because they both involve a captivating retelling and interpretation of
key elements of the Bible that we will be covering in our seminar.
Through our study of these works, we will see how the Bible is a living
literary legacy that continues to fire the imagination of writers past
and present. These books are available for purchase at my Virtual
Book Club page at Bookshop.org, under "VBC
Books of Interest."
How
long will each session last?
90
minutes – the ideal length for a college seminar!
Will
there be "homework"?
Not
really. Before each class, I'll go over the reading that we'll cover;
but don't feel obliged to do the reading if you don't want to or don't
have the time. I will assume that not everyone has done the reading, so
you will still learn a lot and be able to join the conversation even if
you have not completed all the "homework."
What's
the format?
The
seminars will be through Zoom. You don't need an account. Once you register for
the class, you will be sent a link to each session – all you need is
that and an Internet connection to join.
Will
I need special equipment to participate in the class?
No,
just a computer/screen.
What
do you mean by an "interactive" Seminar?
Well,
that means that during Professor Luzzi's sessions, he'll open up the
conversation to all participants to get their perspectives.
What
does the course cost?
$499
for the entire Seminar, which includes all 12 sessions as well as all the
material, such as the Study Guides, Quotes & Videos, that
will be part of the Seminar.
What
is the refund/cancellation policy?
If you
register but decide to cancel by September 1, 2024, you will get a full
refund. If you cancel after September 1 and before the first day of
class, September 24, you will get half back. Unfortunately, after
September 24, I can't offer any refund because space in the course is
limited and I need to close registration once the course starts (or
reaches capacity).
How
can I contact you with questions or problems?
You can
email Joseph Luzzi at josephluzzivbc@gmail.com.
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