Spring 2016/Fuller Online
OT570
Butler
OT570: JOB AND HUMAN SUFFERING (4 Units: 160 Hours). James T. Butler.
DESCRIPTION: The book of Job will be examined critically from the twin perspectives of its meaning in its ancient context and its continuing significance for the modern community of faith. Readings and forum discussions will alternate between close exegetical examination of selected passages of Job and surveys of larger thematic and structural issues, including the place of Job within the contexts of Israelite and ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature. Significant time will be given to discussion of the implications of Job for the theological reflection and praxis of the church: how is suffering consistent with our confessions about God, how can we learn from the suffering of others, and how can we minister faithfully to those who suffer?
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a sound grasp of the book of Job and a consistent, exegetically sound interpretation of its message; (2) an ability to relate Job to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament and to appreciate the distinctive contributions of this literature to biblical theology; and (3) an ability to articulate responses to the theological challenges posed by suffering; and (4) an increased awareness of the way that diverse communities experience and interpret suffering.
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, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. 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: Approximately 1,233 pages required.
Either the CEB, NRSV, or TNIV translation of the Old Testament [50 pp. required].
Balentine, Samuel E., Smyth and Helwys Bible CommentaryJob. 2006. ISBN: 978-1573120678, Pub. Price $65.00 [650 pp. required].
Gutiérrez, Gustavo. On Job: God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent. Orbis, 1987. ISBN: 978-0883445525, Pub. Price $24.00 [150 pp. required].
MacLeish, Archibald, J.B.: A Play in Verse. 1989. ISBN: 978-0395083536, Pub. Price $15.95 [133 pp. required].
Rice, Richard. Suffering and the Search for Meaning: Contemporary Responses to the Problem of Pain. InterVarsity, 2014. ISBN: 978-0830840373, Pub. Price $18.00 [150 pp. required].
Articles provided on e-Reserves through the course Moodle page [approximately 150 pp. required].
RECOMMENDED READING:
Newsom, Carol. “Job,” in New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. IV Abingdon, 1996, ISBN: 978-0687278176, Pub. Price $75.99 [also available in Fuller library databases in “Ministry Matters”] [pp. 317-638].
Newsom, Carol. The Book of Job: A Contest of Moral Imaginations. Oxford University Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0195396287, Pub. Price $24.95 [320 pp.] [electronic and print copies available in Fuller library]
A published personal narrative or reflection on suffering and its theological implications (a list of suggestions will be provided in the syllabus).
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Course activities including video and audio lecture clips, PowerPoint presentations, and structureduse of lecture notes [20 hours].
Weekly posts (250-400 words) reflecting on assigned reading and 2 weekly responses to the posts of classmates (100-150 words) – (35%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1,3-4] [20 hours].
All assigned reading, which will afford the basis for responding to the posts and essays [approximately 1,233 pages; this assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4] [80 hours].
Five essays (800-900 words) regarding key issues in understanding and interpreting the book of Job (35%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-4] [20 hours].
A final paper (approximately 3,000 words) relating the interpretation of Job to some facet of human suffering (30%) [This assignment is primarily related to learning outcomes #1,3] [20 hours].
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the Biblical Elective requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets MA program requirement for Old Testament book study (OTBK).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.