Fall 2020/Fuller Online

OT500

Lee

OT500: OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 160 hours). Kyong-Jin Lee

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; and (5) have used this knowledge and these abilities to interpret some key Old Testament texts.

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: [1,200 pp. approximately]

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.].

Childs, Brevard S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Reprint ed. Augsburg Fortress, 2011. ISBN: 978-0800698331, Pub. Price $39.00 [400 pp.].

Coogan, Michael D. A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament. Oxford University Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-0190238599, Pub. Price $69.95 [400 pp.].

Reading material posted on course page [200 pp. approximately]. See the following sampling:

Goldingay, John. “The Stories in Daniel: A Narrative Politics.” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 37 (1987): 99-116.

Levin, Christoph. "The 'Word of Yahweh': A Theological Concept in the Book of Jeremiah." In Prophets, Prophecy, and Prophetic Texts in Second Temple Judaism, ed. M. H. Floyd and R. D. Haak. New York: T & T Clark, 2006. 42-62.

Meyers, Carol. “The Problem of Patriarchy.” In Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. 24-46.

Niditch,Susan and RobertDoran.“Success Story of the Wise Courtier: A Formal Approach.”Journal of Biblical Literature 96 (1977): 179-193.

Sneed, Mark. “Israelite Concern for the Alien, Orphan, and Widow: Altruism or Ideology?” Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 111 (1999): 498-507.

Waters, Larry J. “Reflections on Suffering from the Book of Job.” Bibliotheca sacra 154 (1997): 436-451.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Weekly study of the instructor’s lecture notes, completion of weekly assigned reading material (100-130 pages), and submission of a weekly response paper (300 words). (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-3.] [80 hours reading; 20 hours writing].
Weekly posting of answers, comments, and reflections on the instructor and other participants’ questions and writings (300-350 words). (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-4.] [20 hours posting and responding].
Midterm examination. The take-home exam will test the student’s knowledge of the course material and ability to engage it in a critical discussion. It will contain brief essay questions dealing with the historical, theological, and interpretive issues relevant to the material discussed in the first half of the course (2,000-2,500 words). (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-4.] [20 hours preparation and writing].
A final exegesis paper that requires a focused discussion on a specific theme, motif, and/or issue relevant to the biblical passage of the student’s selection (2,500-3,000 words). (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 2-5.] [20 hours 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: None.