Course Description

SCHEDULE

COURSE

David’s Dysfunctional Family
Richard D. Nelson
W.J.A. Power Professor of Biblical Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

David, God’s choice as king, makes bad choices, commits a crime, and fails miserably as a parent. Although he repents and is forgiven, the results of his action cause his family to unravel and threaten the stability of the nation. The sword of violence that threatens his family echoes down through the generations. This class explores what the Bible says about the multi-generational effects of sin and God’s role in how acts lead to consequences in our lives.

Suggested Readings: 2 Samuel 11-20; 1 Kings 1-2

Richard Nelson is associate dean for Academic Affairs at Perkins School of Theology. He has been the W. J. A. Power Professor of Biblical Hebrew and Old Testament since 2001. Previously he served as pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh (1974-77), subsequently teaching at Ferrum College in Virginia (1977-81) and Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary in Pennsylvania (1981-2001). Dr. Nelson is an ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. His books include From Eden to Babel: An Adventure in Bible Study and Raising Up a Faithful Priest: Community and Priesthood in Biblical Theology.