Reading Daniel in Uncertain Times
About this Event
Five Tuesday evenings from September 8 - October 6, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. ET
This program takes place both on site at Virginia Theological Seminary as well as online via Zoom meeting; make sure you purchase the correct ticket.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The book of Daniel has sustained believers through centuries of political upheaval, cultural change, and personal uncertainty. Rather than offering simplistic "predictions" about the end of the world, Daniel invites us into a profound biblical vision of faithful living amid the pressures of authoritarianism, the mysteries of God’s providence, and the enduring hope of God’s reign. Together we will explore Daniel’s unforgettable stories and symbolic visions while considering what this remarkable biblical book has to say to Christians seeking wisdom, courage, and hope in our own uncertain times. No prior study of Daniel is required.
Here are brief descriptions of the five sessions:
- Session 1: Why Daniel Still Matters — An introduction to the historical setting, literary artistry, and enduring theological vision of the book of Daniel.
- Session 2: Faithful Living under Empire — What Daniel’s stories teach about courage, wisdom, integrity, and faithful witness amid political and cultural pressures.
- Session 3: Dreams, Beasts, and Apocalyptic Imagination — Learning how to read Daniel’s vivid symbols and visions without losing sight of their theological purpose.
- Session 4: The Son of Man and the Kingdom of God — Exploring Daniel’s most influential vision and its significance for Jewish and Christian hope.
- Session 5: Hope Beyond Fear — Daniel’s message of resurrection, divine sovereignty, and perseverance for believers facing uncertain times.
Visiting the Virginia Theological Seminary campus.
Contact us ([email protected]) if the cost to participate is a barrier for you.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Learn on Your Own Time:
Stay in touch:
Stephen L. Cook, Ph.D. is the Catherine N. McBurney Professor of Old Testament Language and Literature at Virginia Theological Seminary, the largest seminary in the worldwide Anglican Communion (www.vts.edu). He joined the VTS faculty in 1996. His areas of expertise include Biblical Hermeneutics and Theology, Hebrew Exegesis, Ezekiel's Prophecies, The Book of Deuteronomy, Prophetic and Apocalyptic Scripture, the Social Settings of Scripture, and educational technology.
Prior to joining the VTS faculty, Stephen served on the faculty of Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University in New York City for four years. He did his doctoral training in Old Testament at Yale University after completing an M.Div. degree at Yale’s Divinity School, where he also served as an instructor and fellow. His undergraduate work was at Trinity College, Connecticut, where he graduated with honors as a religion major in 1984.
Stephen is the author or editor of a dozen books, including an Anchor Yale Bible Commentary on Ezekiel's Apocalypse and Utopian Vision of a New Temple and Land. He is a co-author of a Fortress Press textbook: The Prophets: Introducing Israel’s Prophetic Writings (Fortress, 2022). Other books include The Apocalyptic Literature (Abingdon, 2003); The Social Roots of Biblical Yahwism (Society of Biblical Literature, 2004); and Prophecy and Apocalypticism (Fortress, 1995). He has also written Reading Deuteronomy (Smith & Helwys, 2015), Conversations with Scripture: 2 Isaiah (Morehouse, 2008), and “The Season of Epiphany” in New Proclamation Year B, 2008–2009, Advent through Holy Week (Fortress, 2008). His other publications include journal articles, introductions and annotations to biblical books for the New Oxford Annotated Bible, the CEB Study Bible, and the Harper Collins Study Bible, as well as entries for The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford Biblical Studies Online, the Society of Biblical Literature's Bible Odyssey, and the New Interpreter's One Volume Bible Commentary. He maintains a fascinating FaceBook Page and a Bible Blog on the web.
Stephen has served in several capacities as an officer of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), including a current seat on SBL Council, the governing board of the SBL. He has also served as a Regional Coordinator for the guild and as the Program Unit Chair of SBL sections. He presents papers each year at the SBL annual meetings (click HERE). He is also the Corporation Representative for Virginia Seminary to the American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR) and serves as one of their session chairs. He is a member of such other professional societies as the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars and the Catholic Biblical Association. He is in high demand around the country as a lecturer, seminar speaker, and workshop leader.
He and his wife Catherine, a psychotherapist, live amid the seminary community on its campus in Alexandria, Virginia. Their daughter, Rebecca, is attending college in New York City.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 119.22 to USD 135.23
