DESCRIPTION: A study of the English text of the third portion of the Hebrew Scriptures, which includes the Psalms, the Wisdom Literature (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes), the Festival Books (Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Esther), the apocalyptic book of Daniel, and the books of the Chronicler (Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah). Attention will be given to discerning the importance of their canonical placement and their theological, literary, and historical perspectives.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will (1) demonstrate a basic competence regarding the content, perspectives, issues raised by this portion of Scripture; (2) learn how this section of the Hebrew canon provides a sampling of diverse voices within Scripture mirroring the complex and often competing voices in the church and how to wisely and compassionately engage that dialogue; (3) gain an appreciation for how these "Writings" provide a solid foundation for much of what a pastor does: spiritual direction, prayer-guidance, story-making, pain-sharing, prophetic-urging, hope-creating, worship-leading, faith-questioning, and community-building; (4) have a set of resources provided by fellow students for using the Psalms in a variety of settings such as worship services, youth gatherings, Sunday School classes, counseling sessions, Bible study groups, retreats; (5) become aware of how their own social locations and political convictions may influence how they may read, respond to, and choose to practice these texts.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Many pastors and others in Christian ministry today are increasingly "in touch" with the culture around them. In terms of pastoral care and counseling skills, they have excellent resources in behavioral science literature available to them. Often missing in these ministry practices is a biblical and theological baseline out of which wise ministry takes place. A study of the Writings of the Hebrew Bible will help ground ministry in old wisdom traditions and provide a normative guide for doing ministry today.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions of lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

Anderson, B. W. Out of the Depths. 3d. ed. Westminster John Knox, 2000.

Ceresko, Anthony R. Introduction to the Old Testament: A Liberation Perspective. Orbis, 1992.

Clifford, Richard J. The Wisdom Literature. Abingdon, 1998.

All biblical texts as assigned.

Brenner, A., ed. A Feminist Companion to the Wisdom Literature, A Feminist Companion to the Song of Songs, A Feminist Companion to Ruth, and A Feminist Companion to Esther, Judith, and Susanna. Sheffield Academic Press, 1995, 1993, 1993, and 1995.

Brueggemann, Walter. The Message of the Psalms. Augsburg/Fortress, 1994.

Cook, Stephen. The Apocalyptic Literature. Abingdon, 2004.

Peterson, Eugene H. Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work. Eerdmans. 1980.

Reid, Stephen. Listening In: A Multicultural Reading of the Psalms. Abingdon, 1997.