Art History And New Testaments

I read an article about the curriculum at a certain very prominent institution of higher learning written in an academic journal. I must say that I enjoy reading the author's articles because he is a brilliant man, a gifted writer and as an added bonus is an avid student of the writings of Rav Hutner. But I must admit that I found parts of the article disturbing. Torah Umadda in principle sounds good - seeing Hashem in everything and using secular wisdom as a springboard to higher spiritual achievements coupled with a livelihood. But it seems that קירבת אלקים is not ALWAYS the outcome. Like Wittgenstein, I too cannot help but look at every issue from a religious point of view. It's all my parents fault. They sent me to Yeshiva day school from age 3. G-d bless 'em!:-)

I quote....

"Art history usually includes generous servings of nudity and Christian art. If one adopts the most restrictive view, that halakha clearly prohibits these elements...."

Maybe I am missing something but is there a permissive view that allows one to see nudity. If so - where???

"There are many contexts in which a Yeshiva student may confront the New Testament. At Yeshiva College, the acquaintance is most likely to occur if a student takes the second of our two "masterpiece" literature courses. Some students requested that we move the problematic sessions to the end of the first course, which is devoted to Greek and Roman literature. They argued that having the New Testament early in the term deterred many from registering. If it were the tail end of the first course, students could put off their decision about doing the reading or skipping meetings until the last week of the semester.

This proposal was sensible, yet the faculty did not recommend a change. As we envision the curriculum, the New Testament provides fundamental background to the readings that follow, not a final chapter to the story of the ancient Greco-Roman world—a perspective better suited to intellectual history than to world literature. Here the academic structure was maintained at the cost of continued discomfort for some students."

Is it permitted to study works of Avodah Zara?? The New Testament [for a Jew and quite likely for a gentile as well] clearly qualifies as forbidden idolatry. A quick glance at the Rambam [Avoda Zara 2/2] clearly reveals that it is forbidden. So I laud those students who feel discomfort and I really think that their time could be better spent studying the "Old Testament".

I add that this institution has does much good for the Jewish People and is a bastion of Torah. However, some slight modifications would surely help. I am confident that the great Rav Soloveitchik would agree and know that some of the present Roshei Yeshiva do as well.

And a GUT VOCH and GUT CHOIDESH to one and all:-)!