Spring 2020/Fuller Online

OT500

Riley

OT500: OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 160 hours). Jason Riley.

DESCRIPTION: This course orients students to the literature of the Old Testament in its various literary, historical, and theological contexts and to Old Testament interpretation in service of Christian practice. The books of Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 2 Samuel, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel will be the focus of study.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated that they: (1) have a basic grasp of the contents of Israel’s Scriptures, history, and geography; (2) can use interpretive approaches that explore both the literary features of the Old Testament 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; (5) have used this knowledge and these abilities to interpret some key Old Testament texts; and (6) can produce a well-documented researched based project.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will introduce students to content and interpretation of the OT in its historical and contemporary context, which is consistent with the SOT PLO “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries” (MDiv, MAT, MATM).

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1,217 pp. of required reading.

Genesis; Exodus; Deuteronomy; 2 Samuel; Job; Psalms 42-106; Isaiah 1-14, 40-53, 63-66; Jeremiah 1-36; Daniel (NRSV, TNIV, or CEB) [250 pp. assigned].

Coogan, Michael D. A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament. 3rd ed, Oxford University Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-0190238599, Pub. Price $66.95. [400 pp].

Moberly, R. W. L. Old Testament Theology: Reading the Hebrew Bible as Christian Scripture. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013. ISBN: 978-0801048852, Pub. Price $34.99. [257 pp.]

Hays, Christopher B. Hidden Riches: A Sourcebook for the Comparative Study of the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near East.Westminster John Knox, 2014. ISBN: 978-0664237011, Pub. Price $45.00 [150 pp. assigned] (Also available via the Fuller library online catalog as an eBook.)

Readings from Walter Brueggemann, Ronald Hendel, J. Cheryl Exum, Robert Allen Warrior, Athalya Brenner, Adele Berlin, Karel vn der Toorn, John Goldingay, Carol Newsome, C.L. Seow, and other scholars will be on e-reserve. [160 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Alexander, T. D., and D. W. Baker, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch. IVP Academic, 2003. ISBN: 978-0830817818, Pub. Price $60.00.

Arnold, B. T., and H. G. M. Williamson, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. IVP Academic, 2005. ISBN: 978-0830817825, Pub. Price $60.00.

Boda, Mark J., and J. Gordon McConville, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets. IVP Academic, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830817849, Pub. Price $60.00.

Longman, Tremper, and Peter Enns, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings. IVP Academic, 2008. ISBN: 978-0830817832, Pub. Price $60.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Weekly study of the instructor’s lecture notes, completion of weekly assigned reading material (100-130 pages). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-4.] [80 hours reading; 10 hours of online audio/video/written lectures].
2. Eight reading-response guides to biblical readings submitted throughout the quarter (no reading guide is due week 1, and students may choose another week in which they do not submit a reading guide) (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1, 3, 4]. [25 hours].
3. Online discussion: Weekly 250-300 word reading responses to assigned questions posted to the online forum on Canvas. These reading responses will be based on the secondary article you choose to read each week. (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-4]. [10 hours].
4. Signature Assignment: Interpretive working paper that includes 1) five sets of observations and questions related to a selected Psalm (you may choose which weeks, between weeks 3-10, to submit your observations; only one set of observations and questions per weekly submission) (15%), and 2) a 2100-2400 interpretive working paper that provides a close reading, genre identification, description of literary structure, theological reflection and contextualization of assigned psalm. (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3, 4, 5.] [25 hours].
5. Final essay exam (at home, open book). (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4, 5.] [10 hours for preparation and writing].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core requirement in the 120 MDiv, 80 MAT, 80 MATM, and 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the OTC requirement in the 144 MDiv. Option to meet requirement in the MAT Program (Winter 2010) and a core requirement for the MATM, MAICS, and MACL Programs (Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.