The Bible’s inconsiderable impact on humanity and the world cuts across history, politics, religion, culture and intellectual thought. In particular, the treasure trove of Bible stories offers food for thought about human life, the world and much more. This course aims to bring together the study of the Bible, the historical understanding of biblical interpretation, and the development of an open mind with critical thinking essential for the intellectual shaping and ethical reflection of a college student. As such, it prepares students for various situations in life and productive relationship with different forms of life. Based on a selected variety of Bible stories and the stories they generated in the western tradition, we will explore important issues in the light of the methods and concerns of literary and cultural studies, such as faith, violence, justice, hospitality, outsiders, suffering, exile, food, transcendence and embodiment. The critical readings will enable students to ponder over challenges of life situations, problems of ethics and the place of humans and the surrounding world.