DESCRIPTION: This course will survey the Pentateuch, analyzing its features, genres, historical and social location, compositional history, and theological testimony. An emphasis will be placed on the history of interpretation within early Judaism and formative Christianity. Instruction will be based upon English translations.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a knowledge of the content of these books; (2) an understanding of the historical development of these books; (3) a familiarity with the Ancient Near Eastern background of these books; (4) an acquaintance with the history of interpretation of these books within early Jewish and Christian communities; (5) skills for interpretation, including the ability to use scholarly resources; and (6) an ability to discern and engage theological issues raised by these texts.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The importance of these books in the history of the church is clear; however, in modern times, many theological debates have been fomented by divergent understandings of these books. In this course, the student will be exposed to all of the relevant issues, which will help foster a mature perspective of what these texts meant in their original context and their use in modern times.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice weekly in two-hour blocks. The course will include lectures and discussions.

REQUIRED READING:

Kugel, James L. The Bible as It Was. Cambridge: Belknap Press, 1997.

Steck, Odil Hannes. Old Testament Exegesis: A Guide to the Methodology. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1998.

West, James King. Introduction to the Old Testament. New York: Macmillan, 1996.

Frankel, Ellen. The Five Books of Miriam: A Woman's Commentary on the Torah. San Francisco: HaperSanFrancisco, 1998.

Habel, Norman C. Literary Criticism of the Old Testament. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971

Mazar, Amihai. Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, 10,000-586 B.C.E. New York: Doubleday, 1992.

Tucker, Gene M. Form Criticism of the Old Testament. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971.

1. class participation (10%);

2. a midterm examination (30%);

3. a final examination (30%); and

4. a twelve-page exegetical project (30%).