William T. Miller, S.J. is the Adjunct Professor of Theology and Scripture at Loyola University Maryland. He holds a doctorate in Old Testament from Union Theological Seminary and teaches courses about the Old Testament at St. Mary’s Seminary and the University of Baltimore. Two of his books are The Book of Genesis: Question by Question (2006) and The Book of Exodus: Question by Question (2009) published by the Paulist Press.

In this lecture Miller will discuss how the references to mercy in the Old Testament and how they are often picked from the prophets or the psalms, but will explain why mercy should also be studied in larger contexts such as the book of Exodus.

This lecture will look at the working relationship of God and Moses in the drama of Exodus 1-15. This working relationship is then intensified in the Covenant ceremonies at Mt. Sinai and has a worldwide purpose to it; it is not simply an exclusive arrangement for the Chosen People alone.

The free commitments made on their sacred honor by the people of Israel at Sinai were almost immediately broken during the Gold Calf incident. Theologically, this betrayal is virtually of equal weight with the earlier sins of Adam, Eve, and Cain.

Finally, Miller will discuss how God and Moses reach an agonizing reconciliation in Exodus 33-34. Moses pleads in extremely bold ways. Then God’s mercy is highlighted, mercy at its most surprising and intense climax.

Location: Ignatian Hall
There is no cost for this event