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.
Other ways to connect
Photo Credit: Alec Soth, Magnum Photos
Paul Romer on the Unrivaled Joy of Scholarship
John Nye on Revisionist Economic History and Having Too Many Hobbies
Eric Schmidt on the Life-Changing Magic of Systematizing, Scaling, and Saying "Thanks" (Live)
Ben Thompson on Business and Tech
Rob Wiblin interviews Tyler on *Stubborn Attachments*
Paul Krugman on Politics, Inequality, and Following Your Curiosity
Bruno Maçães on the Spirit of Adventure
Michele Gelfand on Tight and Loose Cultures
Claire Lehmann on Speaking Freely
Michael Pollan on the Science and Sublimity of Psychedelics
Michelle Dawson on Autism and Atypicality
Vitalik Buterin on Cryptoeconomics and Markets in Everything
Juan Pablo Villarino on Travel and Trust
Elisa New on Poetry in America and Beyond
David Brooks on Youth, Morality, and Loneliness (Live at Mason)
Nassim Nicholas Taleb on Self-Education and Doing the Math (Plus special guest Bryan Caplan)
Bryan Caplan on Learning across Disciplines (Live at Mason Econ)
Balaji Srinivasan on the Power and Promise of the Blockchain
Agnes Callard on the Theory of Everything
Martina Navratilova on Shaping Herself (Live at Mason)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Meaningful Life with Andrew G. Marshall
The No-Frills Teacher Podcast
Heal, Survive & Thrive!
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
The Mel Robbins Podcast