The chapter explores the religious context of Shakespeare's time and the debate about his religious affiliation, focusing on the Anglican Church and themes of grace in his works. It transitions into discussing Calvinist thought in understanding Shakespeare, emphasizing encounters with God and the complexity of Calvin's work. The conversation also delves into Calvinism's theological implications, the decline of devout liberal Christianity, and the impact of religious and ethnic diversity on American society.
Marilynne Robinson is one of America's best and best-known novelists and essayists, whose award-winning works like Housekeeping and Gilead explore themes of faith, grace, and the intricacies of human nature. Beyond her writing, Robinson's 25-year tenure at the famed Iowa Writers' Workshop allowed her to shape and inspire the new generations of writers. Her latest book, Reading Genesis, displays her scholarly prowess, analyzing the biblical text not only through the lens of religious doctrine but also appreciating it as a literary masterpiece.
She joined Tyler to discuss betrayal and brotherhood in the Hebrew Bible, the relatable qualities of major biblical figures, how to contend with the Bible's seeming contradictions, the true purpose of Levitical laws, whether we've transcended the need for ritual sacrifice, the role of the Antichrist, the level of biblical knowledge among students, her preferred Bible translation, whether The Winter's Tale makes sense, the evolution of Calvin's reputation and influence, why academics are overwhelmingly secular, the success of the Iowa Writer's Workshop, why she wrote a book on nuclear pollution, what she'll do next, and more.
Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.
Recorded February 8th, 2024.
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Photo Credit: Alec Soth, Magnum Photos