Gift and Call: Discerning Divine Direction in Modern Life

The notion that God “calls” a whole people (like Jews) to do work in the world – as well as the ideal that this can and sometimes does apply also to individuals – is unavoidable in Christianity.  Yet it subject to facile interpretations, especially in a modern world hungry for meaningful personal narratives.  The class will examine “call”, beginning with biblical materials, and extending forward to today.  Modern notions of “work” will be critiqued in the light of older Jewish and Christians commitment to work and rest, a rest which acknowledges gift.  Students will be challenged to discern call in connect both to their membership among a whole people, and to their specific end or beatitude in God.