DESCRIPTION: This course will survey the major themes, issues, and genres of the Pentateuch, comprised of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Specific attention will be devoted to how critical reflection upon the historical, social, and literary background of certain passages in the Pentateuch aids interpretation of its theological message. The course will also reflect upon the literary development of the Pentateuch and seek to understand how this process aids an understanding of the nature of Scripture in ancient Israel and early Judaism.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: After completing this course, students should be able to (1) explain the major critical issues involved in the interpretation of the Pentateuch, (2) demonstrate an understanding of the basic structure of the books of the Pentateuch, (3) describe the different literary genres found in the Pentateuch, (4) demonstrate an increased ability to interact with some of the more important scholarly tools used in the study of the Old Testament, and (5) discuss how an understanding of the historical, social, and literary background of the Pentateuch aids an understanding of its message.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The Pentateuch forms the foundation for many of the central theologies found in Christian traditions, such as creation, law, cult, redemption, and interpretation. During the past two hundred years or so, some of the more important of these theologies have been neglected in Protestant traditions, especially those that relate to priestly ideologies in ancient Israel and early Judaism. As a result, this course attempts to recover some of the diversity of traditions and perspectives visible in the Pentateuch and ask how they can deepen our response to and understanding of God's word.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Class sessions will be devoted to a combination of lecture presentation and structured class discussions.

REQUIRED READING:
Either New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. OR The Jewish Study Bible. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 2004.
Blenkinsopp, Joseph. The Pentateuch: An Introduction to the First Five Books of the Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
Sarna, Nahum. Understanding Genesis. New York: Schocken, 1970.
___________. Exploring Exodus. New York: Schocken, 1986.
Schniedewind, William. How the Bible Became a Book: The Textualization of Ancient Israel. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Brenner, Athalya. Feminist Companion to Exodus to Deuteronomy. Sheffield Academic Press, 1994.
Gerstenberger, Erhard S. Yahweh the Patriarch: Ancient Images of God and Feminist Theology. Fortress, 1996.

ASSIGNMENTS: There will be five major requirements for this course: (1) midterm examination (30%), (2) final examination (30%), (3) 12-page exegetical project (25%), and (4) three short close reading assignments focusing upon comparing biblical texts with ancient Near Eastern literature or with other biblical texts (15%). The examinations will consist of both objective and essay questions.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament "a" (OTA).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (2/08)