Fall 2009

FTX

OT 567

Reid

 

OT567: Psalms (English text) Stephen B. Reid                                                                                                                                 

Description: An examination and encounter with the Psalms in English translation. The class will investigate different genres of psalms (wisdom, praise, lament etc.). The process will involve analysis of the social locations and the theological functions of various types of psalms.

Significance for Life and Ministry: The Psalms shaped the language of prayer of early Christianity from the New Testament writers through the Reformers to today. The Psalter contains the variety of theologies found in the Old Testament. It also speaks to the range of emotions that one encounters in life and ministry.

Learning Outcomes: Students who have successfully completed the course will demonstrate that they can (1) recall and locate the psalms crucial in the life of the church (2) give an account of the historical and social contexts of these psalms, (3) describe the rhetorical elements and structures of those psalms and place them in the overall structure of the Psalter (4) describe ways these Psalms create and critique culture and give instruction to Christian discipleship.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for 30 hours of instruction in the lecture and discussion format over four weekends: Friday 6:00-9:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30-12:30.

REQUIRED READING:

Psalms, two times (NRSV or TNIV, plus another translation of choice)

Hopkins, Denise Dombrowski. Journey through the Psalms. Revised and Expanded. Christian Board of Publication, 2006. ISBN 0827217145 (188 pp)

Reid, Stephen Breck, Listening In: A Multicultural Reading of the Psalms Abingdon, 1997 ISBN 0687011949 (112 pp)

Choose One:

Broyles, Craig. Psalms. NIBCOT. Hendrickson, 1999. ISBN 1565632206 (539 pp), OR

Mays, James Luther. Psalms. Interpretation. Westminster John Knox, 1994. ISBN 080423115x (457 pp)

Students will also be asked to read 100-200 pages from various commentary sets on selected Psalms. A list of recommended commentary options will be provided in the course syllabus and will be on reserve at the Fuller Texas office.

 

Recommended Reading:

Brown, William P. Seeing the Psalms Westminster John Knox 2002 ISBN 0664225020

Declaisse-Walford, Nancy. Introduction to the Psalms: A Song from Ancient Israel. Chalice, 2004. ISBN 082721623

Firth, David & Philip S Johnston., eds. Interpreting the Psalms: Issues and Approaches. IVP, 2005.

Miller, Patrick. They Cried to the Lord, The Form and Theology of Biblical Prayer. Fortress, 1994.

 

Assignments:

1.     Preparation and participation in class discussion (20%)

2.     Book review (1000 words) (20%)

3.     Objective test(s) on the content of the Psalter (20%)

4.     One group presentation on an assigned group of Psalms (20%)

5.     Interpretive paper (2000-2500 words) (20%)

 

Prerequisites: None

Relationship to the Curriculum: MDiv: Elective; MAT and MACL: OT Book Study

Final Examination: No

 

Note: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design, but is subject to modification. (5/09)