Fall 2011
FSW - Phoenix
OT501
Moore

 

OT501: PENTATEUCH.  Michael S. Moore

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

DESCRIPTION:  This course will introduce the content, structure, and theology of the Pentateuch. It will

assist students toward developing a holistic strategy for reading the Pentateuch by introducing them to contemporary methods of analysis. Historical, literary, sociological, and comparative anthropological avenues of inquiry will be assessed for their contribution to this strategy.

 

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY:  The message of the Pentateuch shapes the heart of Israel’s faith and plays a significant role in the theology of the church, but for many it seems incomprehensible, even irrelevant. Students finishing this course will be able to understand the basic narrative unity of the Pentateuch and discuss its major theological themes in order to help others address more effectively the moral and spiritual issues facing the contemporary church.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:  Students successfully completing OT501 will be able to do the following: (a)

to know and understand better the Pentateuch; (b) to develop ability in interpreting the Bible through reading and critical interaction via historical, cultural, literary and other methods; (c) to become more skilled in reading the Bible theologically in diverse contexts; (d) to see more clearly the nature of the Bible as both human word and holy Scripture; (e) to learn how to use this portion of the Bible in their ministries; and (f) to move towards a deeper obedience to Scripture in their personal lives.

 

COURSE FORMAT:  Four meetings over ten weeks will provide 30 hours of in-class instruction. Class time will be devoted to exegesis, lecture, creative participation exercises, DVD illustration, and group discussion.

 

REQUIRED READING:

• Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative. New York: Basic Books, 1981.  [208 pp.] ISBN: 0465004245
• Boadt, Lawrence.  Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction.  New York: Paulist, 1984.  [576 pp.]  ISBN: 0809126311
• Dalley, Stephanie.  Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others.  New York: Oxford, 1998.  [368 pp.]  ISBN: 0192835890
• Mann, Thomas W. The Book of the Torah. Atlanta: John Knox, 1988.  [180 pp.]  ISBN: 0804200858
• Moore, Michael S. Wealth Watch. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2011. [320 pp.]  ISBN: 978-1-61097-296-3

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

1.     Abstracts of assigned readings (5 pp. single-spaced).  (25%)

2.     Term paper (12-15 pp. double-spaced).  (40%)

3.     Final exam (7.5 pp. single-spaced).  (35%)

 

PREREQUISITES:  None

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:  M. Div.: OTA; MAT: OTA; MACL: OTA.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION:  Yes.

 

 

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.