Genesis Wednesday

With visions of dodgeball still in their heads, students on the New England High School Summer Program awoke this morning to a bright blue Western Massachusetts sky dotted with fluffy white clouds — calling to mind the subject of the day’s first class: the two accounts of Creation in the Book of Genesis.

After breakfast, the students headed to their now-familiar classrooms, excited to dive into Sacred Scripture. Having discussed the pre-Socratic philosophers’ notions of nature on Tuesday, the Summer Program students turned their attention to the Biblical account of Creation in chapters 1-10. They compared the two different narratives, contemplated the perennial battle between good and evil, and asked how Adam and Eve’s free will could coexist with God’s foreknowledge of the Fall.

“I loved reading Genesis,” said Grace J. “You can really see God’s design for marriage and the family.”

After a lunch of flavorful chicken tikka masala, naan, and sugar snap peas, attendees filled their classrooms once again to study the Word of God. The afternoon class focused on Genesis, chapters 11 to 25. This time, students considered Abraham and Isaac, focusing on such questions as, “What is meant by the various blessings given to Abram?” “What does it mean to bless God?” “Was Abraham good, so God chose him to be father of faith, or was he good because God chose him?” “Can you have faith and still question God or be anxious?”

Discussions also made reference to Plato’s treatment of filial piety in the Euthyphro, giving students a sense of how the College’s curriculum is fully integrated. They will get an even greater appreciation of that integration tomorrow, when they discuss Kierkegaard’s various presentations of the Sacrifice of Isaac in Fear and Trembling.

‘’I can’t believe how much we talked about in just one class!” said Anna P. “And we still have so much more to discuss!” Added James H., “I don’t think we talked about half the things we could have, but then again, if we had, class would be six hours long!”

The beautiful weather continued into the afternoon and into the following recreation period. Look back for photos — as well as a recap on all of the night’s events — Thursday morning on the Summer Program Blog!