With the sudden rise in interest for online lectures and interactive content, I was invited by fellow biblical studies scholar, Dr. Brian LePort, to an interview about ancient Near Eastern origin stories. The result was a recorded video used as a resource in a high school religion course. It was a fun project, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to talk about one of my favorite subjects.
One of the things I love about ancient literature is an unapologetic description of the world and everything in it as living. The ancient storytellers did not separate themselves from their environment. Even when violence or devastation was present, they saw themselves as participants. Nature was a mirror for humanity. The characteristics of the gods reflected their own strengths and weaknesses. The seasons of agriculture described their life cycle. Life had value in every form.
View the Creation Narrative video here. There is a “sequel” covering Flood Narratives to follow.
Brian’s blog featured the video along with a description about how it is useful to his course. You can read more about it here!
Dr. Erica Mongé-Greer, holding a PhD in Divinity from the University of Aberdeen, is a distinguished researcher and educator specializing in Biblical Ethics, Mythopoeia, and Resistance Theory. Her work focuses on justice in ancient religious texts, notably reinterpreting Psalm 82’s ethics in the Hebrew Bible, with her findings currently under peer review.
In addition to her academic research, Dr. Mongé-Greer is an experienced University instructor, having taught various biblical studies courses. Her teaching philosophy integrates theoretical discussions with practical insights, promoting an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.
Her ongoing projects include a book on religious themes in the series Battlestar Galactica and further research in biblical ethics, showcasing her dedication to interdisciplinary studies that blend religion with contemporary issues.
