DESCRIPTION:

The third part of the Hebrew canon of the Old Testament will be studied by way of introduction and selected readings from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Historical, religious, literary and canonical perspectives will be considered in order to elucidate the meaning of these books.

While the preacher brings God's Word to the people, the seminary teacher has the prior task of bringing ministerial students to the Bible, in which the revelation of the being and will of God is anchored in ancient history, literature and culture. From this study in the Old Testament will emerge its recurring agenda of human need or perplexity and divine response, and also issues of spirituality as God's people or individual servants wrestled with problems of living and either found or resisted divine grace.

The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions of lecture and discussion.

Rendtorff, R. The Old Testament: An Introduction. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986.

Soggin, J. A. Introduction to the Old Testament. 3rd edition. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1989.

Also such material as is set in the schedule of class sessions.

Anderson, B. W. Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak for Us Today. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1983.

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

LaSor, W. S., Hubbard, D. A., Bush, F. W. Old Testament Survey. Second Edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

Reading indicated in the schedule is recommended to be done before class. An exegetical term paper will be required.

None, but it is recommended that students take OT501 before taking OT504.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Old Testament "C" (OTC).

Yes, passages for exegesis and essays will be set.