Winter 2011/Houston

OT502

Dearman

OT500: WRITINGS AS INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT. Andrew Dearman

 

DESCRIPTION: The course introduces study of the Old Testament as the Word of God, a work of literature, a work emerging out of Israel’s history, and a work that needs to be studied critically to grasp its significance. It focuses on the third section of the Jewish canon, the Writings: Psalms, Job, Proverbs, the Scrolls (Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Lamentations, and Esther), Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles.

 

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course seeks to induct students into the study of the Old Testament in a way that will excite them with its significance and inform and motivate them for further study in seminary, in their lives, and in their ministry.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete the course will have demonstrated that they (1) have grasped the outline of Israel’s history as portrayed in the Old and New Testaments and in light of modern study; (2) understand the nature and process of the Old Testament’s composition, especially as illustrated by Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Daniel; (3) understand the nature of worship, prayer, and wisdom as illustrated by the Writings and its relationship with ancient Near Eastern equivalents; (4) know how to interpret Old Testament narrative, as illustrated by the Writings; (5) have looked at aspects of the Writings from angles other than those of the male, white, Western world; (6) have reflected on the significance of the Writings for Christian theology, mission, and discipleship.

 

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet one night a week (6:00-9:30 PM) for 10 weeks. The class will have both lecture and discussion.

 

REQUIRED READING:

NRSV or TNIV Bible. 400 pp. of reading.

Arnold, B. T, & H. G. M. Williamson, ed., Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (InterVarsity Press, 2005). 250 pp. of selected reading; $60.00 ISBN: 978-0-8308-1782-5.

Longman, Tremper, and Peter Enns, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings.(InterVarsity Press, 2008). 250 pp. of selected reading. $60.00. ISBN: 978-0830817832

Lapsley, Jacqueline. Whispering the Word, Hearing Women’s Stories in the OT (Westminster John Knox, 2005). 175 pp. of reading. $25.00. ISBN 978-0664224356.

 

RECOMMENDED READING:

Brueggemann, W. The Message of the Psalms. Augsburg, 1984.

Childs, B. S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Fortress, 1979.

Crenshaw, J. Old Testament Wisdom. Revised ed. Westminster John Knox, 1999.

Goldingay, J. Old Testament Theology. Three vols. InterVarsity Press, 2003, 2006, 2009.

Bar-Efrat, Shimon. Narrative Art in the Bible. New York, T&T Clark, 2004.

Kidner, D. The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. InterVarsity Press, 1985.

Levison, John R., and Priscilla Pope-Levison, eds. Return to Babel. Westminster John Knox, 1999.

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1.      Attendance at classes (pass/fail).

2.      Two examinations in class: mid-term and end term. 40% each.

3. Review of Lapsley. 20%.

 

PREREQUISITES: None.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament “c” (OTC) and meets OT Seminary Core Requirement (SCR) in professional MA programs.