Spring 2020/Fuller Online

OT517

Thomas

OT517: OLD TESTAMENT BOOK STUDY: GENESIS (4 Units: 160 hours). Matthew A. Thomas.

DESCRIPTION: This course is an exegetical study of the text of the book of Genesis in English translation. A close and careful reading of the book will familiarize students with the content, shape, themes, and historical context of the book. Exercises and discussions will confront students with many questions raised by the book, including (but not limited to) the relationship between modern notions of historicity and scientific knowledge and the book of Genesis, ways in which social location of the reader affects our reading of the book, and the role of genre in uncovering the purpose of sections of the book. The class will explore ways that the book contributes to the life of the Christian community.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated that they (1)have readthe bookcarefully and are familiar with its contents and themes;(2) can interpret passages within it in their own right and in their socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (3) have identified central issues in the critical study of it; (4) can articulate its primary theological and ethical concerns; (5) can use English-based tools for interpreting it;(6) can recognize hermeneutical issues arising from the diverse contexts of contemporary readers;and (7) can interpret it faithfully and creatively in the context of their congregation, of the contemporary world and of their own lives.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through focused study of a particular biblical book or topic, students acquire deeper mastery of the interpretation of the Bible, taking into account its ancient and contemporary contexts, 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: ~695 pp. assigned

NRSV, TNIV or CEB.

Fox, Everett. The Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. The Schocken Bible 1. Schocken, 2000. ISBN: 978-0805211191, Pub. Price $40.00 [245 pp. assigned].

Fretheim, Terence. "The Book of Genesis." Pages 321-674 in The New Interpreter’s Bible. Volume I. Abingdon, 1994. ISBN: 978-0687278145, Pub. Price $75.99 [~250 pp. assigned]

[Note: Fretheim's commentary is available online via the Fuller database “Ministry Matters.”]

Items on eReserves, including [~200 pp. assigned]:

Amit, Yairah. "The Case of Judah and Tamar in Contemporary Israeli Context: A Relevant Interpolation." Pages 213-220 in Genesis. Texts@Contexts. Edited by Athalya Brenner, Archie Chi Chung Lee, and Gale A. Yee. Fortress, 2010.

Fontaine, Carole R. "'Here Comes This Dreamer': Reading Joseph the Slave in Multicultural and Interfaith Contexts." Pages 131-146 in Genesis. Texts@Contexts. Edited by Athalya Brenner, Archie Chi Chung Lee, and Gale A. Yee. Fortress, 2010.

Hays, Christopher, ed. "Creation Accounts", "Flood Stories", and "Court Stories" Pages 41-112 in Hidden Riches: A Sourcebook for the Comparative Study of the Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East. Westminster John Knox, 2014.

Míguez-Bonino, José. “Genesis 11:1-9: a Latin American perspective.” Pages 13-16 in Return to Babel: Global Perspectives on the Bible. Edited by Priscilla Pope-Levison and John R. Levison. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, c1999.

Thomas, Matthew A. “Eve and Shamhat: A Study in Comparative Methodology and Characterization.” Paper presented at the Hebrew Bible section of the annual meeting of the Pacific Coast Region of the Society of Biblical Literature. Santa Clara, Calif., March 23, 2009.

---. "Genealogies' Role in Shaping the Narrative" and "Covenants Change the Basis for the Narrowing of Focus" Pages 83-122 in These are the Generations: Identity, Covenant, and the toledot Formula. LHBOTS 551. T & T Clark, 2011.

---. “'How Can I Know?': Toward a Rethinking of the Purpose of Biblical Covenants.” Paper presented at the Hebrew Bible section of the annual meeting of the Pacific Coast Region of the Society of Biblical Literature. Tempe, Ariz., March 15, 2010.

Weems, Renita J. “A Mistress, A Maid, and No Mercy (Hagar and Sarah)” Pages 1-22 in Just a Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Women's Relationships in the Bible. Innisfree, 1988.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Instruction hours [Reviewing instructor's notes, audio files, videos] [20 hours].
695 pp. of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [45 hours].
200-word weekly forum posts: Each week, we will engage in 1-2 online discussions related to the topics for the week. (24%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [30 hours].
200-word weekly forum responses: For each forum, students will respond to at least two of their classmates with 75-100 word responses. (16%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 3, 4] [20 hours].
Essay quizzes (400-500 words each): Approximately bi-weekly timed essay quizzes to apply what you have learned in online discussions, required reading, and other class activities. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 3, 4] [15 hours total].
An exegetical paper on an assigned passage of about ten to thirty verses within the book of Genesis [2,500 - 3,000 words] (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502; OT500 or OT501 or OT502.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Counts as a biblical elective for the 120 MDiv, 80 MAT, and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the OTBK requirement for the MAT Program (Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.