Contemporary Issues as Seen in the Bible

The Hebrew Bible is considered as being relevant to contemporary issues, such as the death penalty, abortion, euthanasia, marriage and sexuality, and religious practices. We will start with the question of a Judeo-Christian morality and its implication for government and politics. We will look at the texts of the Bible as they relate to these issues. We will then try to trace them through the rabbinic and Christian interpretations as they developed together after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.