Era 2: The Patriarchs

Introduction to the Patriarchs (with Jeff Cavins)

Introduction:  This era covers Gen 12-50



THE BOOK OF JOB

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Wh does evil sometimes befall virtuous people? Job does not come up with a completely satisfactory response, but it does help to develop the theology of suffering. Scenes involving God and Satan and pain and tribulations are presented as a way of testing the righteous. In the thoughtful exchanges between Job and his friends, it is admitted (contrary to a recurring thought in Scripture) that human suffering is not necessarily a form of divine justice that results from sin, nor is good fortune a sign of God’s favor and blessing; rather, both the righteous and the wicked experience prosperity and misfortune alike. In the final section of the book, the Lord tells Job and his friends that they CANNOT BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND how suffering fits into his whole plan of creation. God’s ways TRANSCEND OUR COMPREHENSION. This, according to St. Gregory the Great, is what Job comes to realize in the end. (*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)


THE PROVERBS

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(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)