Summer 2006/Pasadena
Five-week Intensive: June 19-July 21
OT501
Goldingay
OT501: PENTATEUCH. John Goldingay.
DESCRIPTION: The course studies the origin and historical value of Genesis to
Deuteronomy; the different blocks of "law" and the principles they embody; the
books as a narrative with a plot, characters, and themes; and their
significance for Christian faith, life, and ministry.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course students should
have
- gained familiarity with these books of the Bible with their foundational
significance for an understanding of the gospel, of the commitment of the
people of God, and of what it means to be human;
- considered questions raised by a recognition that these books are God's
word and by the application of critical methods to them, in the context of
current ferment over the origin of the Pentateuch;
- developed skills in the interpretation of Old Testament narrative; and
- considered how to relate Old Testament "law" to doctrinal, pastoral, and
moral questions in the church and the world.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: See course objectives/learning outcomes.
COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice weekly for four-hour sessions for five
weeks. Classes require specific reading of the biblical text and other
preparation, on average a further eight hours per week. The classroom time then
combines lectures, work in groups of four or five, and plenary discussion. The
course is thus not primarily lecture-based; it emphasizes collaborative
learning, and students need to be willing to be committed to working together
with other students.
REQUIRED READING:
- NRSV Bible.
- Alexander, T. D., and D. W. Baker, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament:
Pentateuch. InterVarsity Press, 2002.
- Van Wijk-Bos, J. W. H. Making Wise the Simple. Eerdmans,
2005.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Brueggemann, W. Genesis. Knox, 1982.
- Frankel, E. The Five Books of Miriam: A Woman's Commentary on the
Torah. Harper, 1996.
- Fretheim, T. Exodus. Knox, 1991.
- Goldingay, J. After Eating the Apricot. Paternoster, 1996.
- _________. Old Testament Theology, Volume One. InterVarsity Press,
2003.
- Hartley, J. E. Leviticus. Word, 1992.
- Miles, J. God: A Biography. Knopf/Simon Schuster, 1995.
- Olson, D. T. Numbers. Knox, 1996.
Winner, L. F. Mudhouse
Sabbath. Brewster, MA: Paraclete, 2003.
- Wright, C. J. H. Deuteronomy. Hendrickson/Paternoster,
1996.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Preparation for classes, with submission of preparation notes at each
class.
- Attendance at all classes. Students who miss first or last class forfeit 5%
of grade.
- Two 7-10 page papers, or by negotiation one 15-20 page paper. The grade
comes from these papers, subject to reduction for missing classes or failure to
turn in satisfactory preparation homework.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATION TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament "a"
(OTA).
FINAL EXAMINATION: No.