DESCRIPTION: The course is a critical introduction to the Old Testament from literary, cultural, and theological perspectives. It will use the third section of the Hebrew Bible, the Writings, as a window to the Pentateuch and the Prophets. The four wisdom books concentrated in the Writings will be studied in their own right and linked to earlier wisdom elements. The narratives in the Writings will be treated as a continuation of the providential history presented in the Pentateuch and Joshua-Kings. The Psalms, as responses of prayer and worship to earlier revelation, will be shown to underline Old Testament themes, especially covenant, creation, and Israel's history under God. Lamentations and Daniel 7-12 will be studied as developments of the prophetic books.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course's introduction to the Old Testament is meant as a preparation for further study and spiritual appropriation of its truths.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated (1) overall literacy in the Old Testament, (2) understanding of its literary features and (3) of the diverse historical and cultural situations in which it was written, (4) ability in interpreting the Old Testament, and (5) some critical reflection on the diverse vantage points from which it may be read.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets weekly for three-hour sessions of lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

NRSV or NIV (inclusive edition, 2011) Bible.

Anderson, B. W. Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak for Us Today. 3rd ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2000. ISBN: 0-664-25832-8. $29.95.

Matthews, V. H., and Moyer, J. C. The Old Testament: Text and Context. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-8010-4835-7. $34.99.

Murphy, R. E. The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN: 0-8028-3965-7. $28.00.

Also articles, including those reflecting different interpretive perspectives, available on Moodle, and books to be read partially for the paper or examinations, listed in the syllabus.

Gonzalez, J. L. Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes. Nashville: Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 978-0-687-01452-1. $17.00.

1. Attendance at classes and reading of required literature.

2. A midterm examination (20%).

3. A paper, 2500-3000 words, on Psalm 78 (40%).

4. A final examination (40%).