Summer 2019/Fuller Online

OT517

Caudill

OT517: OLD TESTAMENT BOOK STUDY: PSALMS (4 Units: 160 hours). Norah W. Caudill

DESCRIPTION: A study of the English text of the Book of Psalms. Along with the aid of commentaries a cross-section of psalms will be considered by their different types including psalms of creation, individual and communal laments, hymns, royal/enthronement psalms and psalms of thanksgiving. In addition, the course will emphasize the development of exegetical skills, explore a variety of theological themes and identify ethical concerns in light of diverse contemporary contexts.

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.

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: 1125 pages in total required.

Selected Psalms in a modern English version using either NRSV, TNIV, or CEB [approx. 80 pp. assigned].

Billman, Kathleen D. and Daniel L. Migliore. Rachel's Cry: Prayer of Lament and Rebirth of Hope. Wipf & Stock, 1999. ISBN: 978-1556356292, Pub. Price $23.00 [174 pp assigned].

Brueggemann, Walter. The Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary. Augsburg Publishing House, 1984. ISBN: 978-0806621203, Pub. Price $19.00 [206 pp. assigned].

Brueggemann, Walter. The Psalms and the Life of Faith. Edited by Patrick Miller. Fortress Press, 1995. ISBN: 978-0800627331, Pub. Price $26.00. [104 pp. assigned].

DeClaissé-Walford, Nancy L., Rolf A. Jacobson, and Beth LaNeel Tanner. The Book of Psalms. Eerdmans, 2014. ISBN: 978-0802824936, Pub. Price $60.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [423 pp. assigned].

eReserves:

Adamo, David Tuesday. “Decolonizing the Psalter.” Black Theology 5.1 (2007): 20-38

Blythe, Caroline. “’I Am Alone With My Sickness’: Voicing the Experience of HIV- and AIDS- Related Stigma Through Psalm 88.” Colloquium 44/2 (Nov. 2012): 149-162.

Davis, Ellen F. “The Art of Astonishing: Old Testament Preaching.” In Wondrous Depth: Preaching the Old Testament (Westminster John Knox, 2005), pp. 1-16

Day, John N. “The Imprecatory Psalms and Christian Ethics.” Bibliotheca Sacra 159 (April-June 2002): 166-86.

Estes, Daniel J. “Creation Theology in Psalm 148.” Bibliotheca Sacra 171 (January-March 2014): 30-41.

Goldingay, Kathleen Scott and John Goldingay. “The Sting in the Psalms. Part 1.” Theology Vol. 117 No. 6 (2014): 403-410.

Goldingay, Kathleen Scott and John Goldingay. “The Sting in the Psalms. Part 2.” Theology Vol. 118 No. 1 (2015): 3-9.

Gorman, Michael J. “Reflection: Theological Interpretation.” In Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers (Rev. & exp. ed., Hendrickson, 2009), pp. 139-166.

Knowles, Melody D. “Feminist Interpretation of the Psalms.” In William P. Brown (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of the Psalms (Oxford University Press, 2014), pp. 424-436.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Brown, William P. Seeing the Psalms: A Theology of Metaphor. Westminster John Knox, 2002. ISBN: 978-0664225025, Pub. Price $30.00.

Keck, Leander E., Robert Doran, Carol A. Newsom, J. Clinton McCann. New Interpreter’s Bible: 1&2 Maccabees, Introduction to Hebrew Poetry, Job, Psalms. Volume 4. Abingdon Press, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687278176, Pub. Price $75.99.

Mays, James Luther. Psalms. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. John Knox, 2011. ISBN: 978-0664234393, Pub. Price $30.00.

Peterson, Eugene H. Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer. HarperOne, 1989. ISBN: 978-0060665128, Pub. Price $13.99.

Reid, Stephen Breck. Listening In: A Multicultural Reading of the Psalms. Abingdon Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0687011940, Pub. Price $23.99.

Zenger, Erich. A God of Vengeance? Understanding the Psalms of Divine Wrath. Translated by Linda M. Maloney. Westminster John Knox, 1996. ISBN: 978-0664256371, Pub. Price $30.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Instruction hours (narrated power points, short videos, etc). [This assignment relates to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6] [10 hours].
  2. Two group engagements – each on a Google Doc – on an assigned Psalm (Pass-fail) (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 5, 6]. [5 hours].
  3. Weekly discussion forum posts/replies in Canvas (250 words for initial posts plus 2 100-200 word responses each week) (15%). [This assignment relates to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6] [25 hours].
  4. Assigned reading, with percentage of reading completed to be reported weekly (1125 pages) (10%). [This assignment relates to learning outcomes 1, 3, 6] [75 hours].
  5. Book Review. A critical 1000-word review and response to Rachel’s Cry (20%). [This assignment relates to learning outcomes 3, 6] [5 hours].
  6. Interpretive Project (1000 words) on an assigned psalm (20%). [This assignment relates to learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] [10 hours].
  7. Final Exegesis Paper (2500-3000 words) on a psalm chosen in consultation with the professor (Signature Assignment) (30%). [This assignment relates to learning outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] [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.

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.