DESCRIPTION:

The course considers the books in the third section of the Hebrew scriptures: Psalms, Job, Proverbs, the Scrolls (Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Lamentations, and Esther), Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles.

By the end of the course students should have:

• become excited about these books with their wide-ranging significance for our life with God;

• considered the importance of the wisdom books in the modern world against their middle eastern background;

• gained expertise in approaches to interpreting the Psalms and this bring about developments in the way they pray;

• considered the way Israel's story is retold and extended in the Old Testament and its significance for the modern church; and

• considered approaches to the interpretation of Old Testament short stories and their significance for modern women and men.

The course meets twice weekly for two-hour blocks. Most blocks will require specific reading of the biblical text and other preparation. The classroom time will then combine lectures, work in groups of four, and plenary discussion.

Students will not be expected to possess any books except an NRSV and a copy of the course syllabus book.

Brenner, A. (ed.). A Feminist Companion to the Wisdom Literature, A Feminist Companion to the Song of Songs, A Feminist Companion to Ruth, and A Feminist Companion to Esther, Judith, and Susanna. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995, 1993, 1993, and 1995.

Brueggemann, W. The Message of the Psalms. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1984.

______. The Psalms and the Life of Faith. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995.

Crenshaw, J. Old Testament Wisdom. Atlanta: Knox, 1981/London: SCM, 1982.

Gunn, D., and D. N. Fewell. Narrative in the Hebrew Bible. Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.

Kidner, D. The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1985. = Wisdom to Live By. Leicester: InterVarsity Press, 1985.

As noted above, most blocks will require specific preparation and students will need to compile a file of preparation and lecture notes. At the end of the course they will be expected to write a 20-25 page paper in which they stand back from the course as a whole and review what they have read, thought, heard, and said during it.

None.

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

No.