DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to give a general introduction to the text, structure, and basic ideas of the Pentateuch. Issues of history, geography and culture will be explored. Questions of tradition, literary and historical development will be examined. Emphasis will be placed primarily on the development of a methodology for interpreting Pentateuchal passages for teaching and preaching in the church today.

Students will be trained to reflect theologically upon issues of life and belief, using as examples the central categories of the Pentateuch: God's work in the "primeval" stories; God's presence within and behind human narrative; and the nature of God's initiative to influence and nurture human belief/behavior. Students will also be trained in the constructive use of scholarly resources in basic exegetical procedures in order to accurately present the distinctive Old Testament message.

The course will meet twice weekly in four-hour sessions for lecture and discussion.

Black, M., ed. Peake's Commentary on the Bible. Rev. ed. New York: Nelson, 1962.

Bright, J. A History of Israel. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1981.

Habel, N. Literary Criticism of the Old Testament. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971.

Hillers, D. R. Covenant: The History of a Biblical Idea. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins, 1985.

Anderson, G. W., ed. Tradition and Interpretation. Oxford: Clarendon, 1979.

Blenkinsopp, J. The Pentateuch: An Introduction to the First Five Books of the Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1992.

Childs, B. S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1979.

_________. Old Testament Books for Pastor and Teacher. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1977.

von Rad, G. Old Testament Theology, vol. 1. New York: Harper & Row, 1962.

The course will require 1) a reading of the entire Pentateuch in English; 2) at least 500 pages of reading in preparation for class sessions; 3) a 15+ page exegetical paper on a short Pentateuchal passage; and 4) a final (take-home) examination.

None.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Old Testament "a" (OTA).

Yes, take-home.