Spring 2010/Pasadena
OT507
Allen
OT507: OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: LAMENTATIONS. Leslie C. Allen.
DESCRIPTION: A study of Lamentations in the Hebrew text. Portions will be
selected to study in class, while students will reinforce their study with the
help of commentaries. The parts of the book not studied in Hebrew will be
exegeted from the English text (NRSV), so that the whole book is covered.
Attention will be paid to exegesis, structure, form, setting, and canonical
value.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The book of Lamentations, along with the
book of Job, is a biblical reaction to human suffering. Although set in an
alien culture, it has lessons to teach us about coping with grief and moving
onward.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course has five objectives. First, for students to
apply their earlier language learning to specific texts. Second, to develop
ability in interpreting Old Testament texts. Third, to understand the
historical and cultural situations in which Lamentations was written. Fourth,
to understand the literary features of the book. Fifth, to use Lamentations in
their ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions for
teaching and discussion.
REQUIRED READING:
- Berlin, A. Lamentations. Louisville: Westminster John Knox,
2002.
- Elliger, K. and Rudolph, W. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia.
Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1983.
- Garrett, D., and P. R. House, Song of Songs, Lamentations.
Nashville: Nelson, 2004.
- Hillers, D. R. Lamentations. Revised edition. Anchor Bible. New
York: Doubleday, 1992.
- See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html and in the Academic Advising office.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Albrektson, B. Studies in the Text and Theology of the Book of
Lamentations. Lund: Gleerup, 1963.
- Childs, B. S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture.
Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1979.
- O'Connor, K. M. Lamentations and the Tears of the World. Maryknoll,
NY: Orbis, 2002.
- Provan, I. Lamentations. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
- Westermann, C. Lamentations: Issues and Interpretation. Minneapolis:
Augsburg Fortress, 1994 (out of print).
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Basic study of the Hebrew text will precede class
work assigned to the text. Reading of commentaries, articles, and more general
literature is required. A midterm examination and an exegetical paper will also
be required.
PREREQUISITES: LG502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament "c"
(OTCE) and MA program requirements for Old Testament book study (OTBK).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes. An examination involving mastery of the Hebrew text
and exegesis of the Hebrew passages.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (Posted January 2010)