DESCRIPTION:

The book of Job will be examined critically from the twin perspectives of its meaning in its ancient context and its continuing significance for the modern community of faith. Lectures will alternate between close exegetical treatment of selected passages of Job and surveys of larger thematic and structural issues, including the place of Job within the contexts of Israelite and ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature. Significant time will be given to discussion of the implications of Job for the theological reflection and praxis of the church: how is suffering consistent with our confessions about God, how can we learn from the suffering of others, and how can we minister faithfully to those who suffer?

Students completing this course will have demonstrated: (1) a sound grasp of the book of Job and a consistent, exegetically sound interpretation of its message; (2) an ability to relate Job to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, and to appreciate the distinctive contributions of this literature to biblical theology; and (3) an ability to articulate responses to the theological challenges posed by suffering, and to reflect on the lessons that Job affords for ministry to a suffering world.

This course will meet once each week for three hour sessions; each week will include both lecture and structured discussions.

English text of Job.

Billman, Kathleen D. and Daniel L. Migiore. Rachel's Cry: Prayer of Lament and Rebirth of Hope. Cleveland: United Church Press, 1999.

Gutiérrez, Gustavo. On Job: God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1987.

Hartley, J. E. The Book of Job. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.

A published personal narrative or reflection on suffering and its theological implications (a list of suggestions will be provided in class).

Assorted materials from the course packet.

Habel, N. C. The Book of Job. OTL. Westminster, 1985.

Hall, Douglas John. God and Human Suffering: An Exercise in the Theology of the Cross. Augsburg, 1986.

Lewis, C. S. A Grief Observed. Harper and Row, [1961].

MacLeish, A. J.B. Houghton Mifflin, 1958.

Murphy, Roland E. The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature. Eerdmans, 2002.

Sittser, Gerald L. A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows through Loss. Zondervan, [1996].

Soelle, Dorothee. Suffering. Fortress, 1975.

Yancey, Philip. Where is God When It Hurts? Rev. ed. Zondervan, 1997 (reissue).

_________. Disappointment with God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud. Zondervan, 1988.

The requirements will fall into three areas: (1) Weekly preparation for exegetical and theological discussions. (2) The writing of a paper (approximately 12 pages) relating the interpretation of Job to some facet of human suffering. (3) The use of lecture notes and syllabus readings to develop answers to study questions from which the final examination will be drawn.