Winter 2015/Pasadena
OT501
Lee
OT501: PENTATEUCH (4 Units: 160 Hours). Kyong-Jin Lee.
DESCRIPTION: This is a survey course of the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). A close reading of the Biblical text will familiarize the student with the principal themes, motifs, and historical contexts of the books in this literary corpus. Development of exegetical skills will arise from a focused discussion on the theological, historical, and literary characteristics of each book. The course will explore the Biblical text’s role in critical scholarship and the church’s ongoing theological reflection.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated that they: (1) have a basic grasp of the contents of the Biblical text under study; (2) can use interpretive approaches that explore both the literary features of the Pentateuch and the historical and cultural contexts in which it came into being; (3) can assess hermeneutical issues arising from the diverse contexts of contemporary readers; (4) can relate the Old Testament as Scripture to Christian theology, mission, and discipleship; and (5) have used this knowledge and these abilities to interpret some key Biblical texts pertaining to the course.
COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion.
REQUIRED READING: 1,272 pages required
NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible.
Brenner, Athalya. Feminist Companion to Exodus to Deuteronomy. Sheffield Academic Press, 1994. ISBN: 978-1841270791, Pub. Price $39.95 [224 pp.].
Brueggemann, Walter, and Hans Walter Wolff. The Vitality of Old Testament Traditions. 2nd ed. John Knox Press, 1982. ISBN: 978-0804201124, Pub. Price $30.00 [148 pp.].
Hamilton, Victor. Handbook on the Pentateuch. 2nd ed. Baker Academic, 2005. ISBN: 978-0801027161, Pub. Price $36.99 [200 pp. assigned].
Rad, Gerhard von. From Genesis to Chronicles: Explorations in Old Testament Theology. Ed. K. C. Hanson. Fortress, 2005. ISBN: 978-0800637187, Pub. Price $21.00 [200 pp. assigned].
Additional (required) reading material may be found under eReserves on Moodle [approx. 500 pp.].
RECOMMENDED READING:
Anderson, Bernhard W. Creation in the Old Testament. Fortress, 1985. ISBN: 978-0800617684, Pub. Price $15.00 [192 pp.].
Blenkinsopp, Joseph. The Pentateuch: An Introduction to the First Five Books of the Bible. Doubleday, 1992. ISBN: 978-0300140217, Pub. Price $30.00 [288 pp.].
Childs, Brevard S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Repr. ed. Augsburg Fortress, 2011. ISBN: 978-0800698331, Pub. Price $39.00 [688 pp.].
Sparks, Kenton L. The Pentateuch: An Annotated Bibliography.Baker Academic, 2002. ISBN: 978-0801023989, Pub. Price $18.99 [160 pp.].
Zimmerli, Walther. Old Testament Theology in Outline. Trans. David E. Green. T&T Clark, 2000. ISBN: 978-0567223531, Pub. Price $44.95 [258 pp.].
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets 144 MDiv core requirement in Old Testament “a” (OTA); meets MAT requirement (effective Winter 2010).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.