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Live Course · 4 Sessions

Divine Metaphors: Describing an Indescribable God

How does the Bible talk about God? Scripture speaks of the divine through vivid metaphors. This course explores these biblical images and what they reveal about God for us today.

Sessions4

Price$50

CEUs0.5

🗓️Thursdays from 6:30 - 7:45pm EST, September 3 - 24, 2026

Taught byDr. Ryan Bonfiglio

About the Course

What we’ll explore

🤝 In partnership with N/A - Open Registration

How does the Bible talk about God? Rather than using abstract theological terms, biblical authors turn to metaphors that liken their ineffable God to concepts known from everyday life: shepherd, king, judge, potter, mother, gardener, mid-wife, bird, lion, river, and mountain. In this course we’ll explore the wide range of metaphors the Bible uses to talk about God, and reflect on the challenges and possibilities of using metaphors to talk about God today.

What to Expect

Seminary-level learning, no pressure

Short, seminary-style courses taught by Candler faculty and open to the public.

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No tests or required reading

No quizzes, no homework. Just come curious and ready to learn.

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Leading scholars

Learn from faculty at the forefront of theological education.

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Interactive lectures

Engaging, discussion-friendly sessions built for real conversation.

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Live Q&A

Bring your questions directly to the instructor each week.

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Class recordings

Miss a session? You’ll receive a link to the recordings.

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0.5 CEUs available

Earn continuing education units with an official Award Letter.

Schedule

Week by week

Join live from wherever you are. Each session includes time for questions with the instructor, and recordings are shared after class.

🗓️Thursdays from 6:30 - 7:45pm EST, September 3 - 24, 2026

🎟️4 live sessions

💻Live online

Your Instructor

Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio

More about this instructor →

Choose how you’ll join

Course

$50

Full access to every live session.

4 live interactive sessions
Q&A with the instructor
Links to class recordings

Course + CEUs

+$25

Everything in the course, plus 0.5 Continuing Education Units.

Everything in the standard course
Includes $25 CEU processing fee
Official Award Letter after completion

Questions

Good to know

Not at all. Courses in the Community are open to the public. There are no tests, quizzes, or required readings.

Registered learners receive links to the class recordings, so you can catch up on your own time.

Select “Register with CEUs” at checkout. There is a $25 processing fee, and an Award Letter is issued once the course has been completed.

Visit the Customer Portal, or reach us at candlerfoundry@emory.edu or 404-727-8326.

Save your seat

Divine Metaphors: Describing an Indescribable God

Thursdays from 6:30 - 7:45pm EST, September 3 - 24, 2026

$504 live sessions