Biblical Wisdom Literature

Course Overview

Course No. 6260

Delve into a rich and complex body of writings that have influenced theologians and philosophers for millennia in this course on the wisdom literature of the Bible.

In the history of wisdom literature, few traditions match the solace and profundity found in the teachings of the Bible. For centuries, people have taken comfort and insight from the familiar yet eternally resonant writings of the Bible’s wisdom literature. Through their inspirational teachings, the sages of the biblical wisdom tradition offer time-honored advice about some of life’s most difficult questions.

And yet, few of us realize that these great teachings are part of a larger tradition—a rich and complex body of writings that have influenced theologians, philosophers, and everyday men and women for millennia.

In 36 thought-provoking lectures, award-winning professor Father Joseph Koterski takes you deep inside this tradition, exploring enlightening teachings that have inspired the world and that continue to speak to life’s most important questions. It’s a rare opportunity to study an important but often overlooked tradition of wisdom teaching.

Join Father Koterski for this journey and delve deeply into profound teachings that have shaped the faith of millions for centuries and still apply to our lives today.

Video Lectures

Section 1: Introduction & Proverbs

1. Introduction to Biblical Wisdom Literature (32 min)

• Why do bad things happen to good people? Is there meaning in the suffering of life? Begin with the story of Job.

1. The Place of Proverbs in the Bible (30 min)

• Explore the literary forms in Proverbs and the youth’s encounter with Lady Wisdom vs. Lady Folly.

1. Collections of Proverbs (31 min)

• Examine historical context and Egyptian wisdom influences.

1. The Poems of the Book of Proverbs (30 min)

• Study poetic texts, including the ideal spouse and personified Wisdom.

1. The Relation of Proverbs to Covenant (30 min)

• How Proverbs connects to God’s covenant with His people.

Section 2: Job & Suffering

6. Interlude: Some Wisdom Psalms (29 min)

• Wisdom psalms and Hebrew poetry for meditation.

6. Job and the Suffering of the Innocent (30 min)

• Structure and philosophical approach to suffering.

6. Job: The First Cycle of Conversations (31 min)

• Job’s test and his friends’ responses.

6. Job: Deepening the Conversation (29 min)

• The error in Job’s friends’ logic.

6. Job: Second and Third Conversation Cycles (29 min)

• Job’s moral dilemma and textual complexities.

6. Job: The Wisdom Poem and the Conclusion (31 min)

• Shift to wisdom poetry and spiritual discernment.

6. Job: Elihu’s Defense of God’s Honor (31 min)

• Elihu’s argument and God’s whirlwind appearance.

6. Job: Reflections on the Book as a Whole (31 min)

• Comparing Job’s lessons with modern thinkers.

6. Interlude: Prayer in Times of Suffering (30 min)

• Psalms for compassion and wisdom in suffering.

Section 3: Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) & Sirach

15. Qoheleth: The Inadequacy of Human Wisdom (33 min)

• Ecclesiastes’ musings on life’s uncertainties.

15. Qoheleth: Skepticism about Easy Answers (30 min)

• Virtue, vice, and divine justice.

15. Qoheleth: Keeping Faith during Confusion (33 min)

• Persevering when reason fails.

15. Interlude: Wisdom Psalms for Uncertainty (28 min)

• Prayer and faith amid doubt.

15. Sirach: A Traditional Approach to Wisdom (30 min)

• Suffering as a test of character.

15. Sirach on the Cultivation of Virtue (30 min)

• Teachings on Torah, friendship, and vice.

15. Sirach’s Wisdom Poetry (33 min)

• Wisdom linked to Torah observance.

15. Sirach on Divine Providence within History (29 min)

• Hymn on God’s glory and salvation history.

Section 4: Song of Songs, Daniel & Wisdom of Solomon

23. The Song of Songs: Love as the Answer (30 min)

• Overview of this poetic love story.

23. The Song of Songs: Levels of Meaning (30 min)

• Allegorical interpretations (earthly vs. divine love).

23. Interlude: Wisdom Psalms on Perseverance (32 min)

• Psalms for endurance in hardship.

23. Daniel: Wisdom through Dream Visions (32 min)

• Daniel’s prophetic and wisdom elements.

23. Daniel: God’s Providential Plan for History (32 min)

• Eschatology and divine intervention.

23. The Wisdom of Solomon on Divine Justice (31 min)

• Virtue vs. vice and authorship context.

23. The Wisdom of Solomon on Death (33 min)

• Immortality of the soul and innocent suffering.

23. The Wisdom of Solomon on Prayer (30 min)

• Solomon’s exhortation to kings on wisdom.

23. The Wisdom of Solomon on Divine Providence (32 min)

• God’s intervention in history and natural law.

23. Interlude: A Wisdom Psalm on Torah (33 min)

• Prayer aligning with God’s covenant.

Section 5: Jesus as Wisdom Teacher

33. Jesus as Wisdom Teacher (33 min)

• Christ’s role in continuing wisdom tradition.

33. Jesus and the Wisdom Stories in the Gospels (33 min)

• Parables (Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son).

33. Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount (29 min)

• Beatitudes as wisdom teachings.

33. Overview of Biblical Wisdom Literature (31 min)

• Three perspectives on wisdom: divine, natural, human.