Winter 2017/Houston

OT500

Dearman

OT500: OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 160 hours). Andrew Dearman.

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.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for 3.5-hour sessions for a total of 35 hours of lecture and discussion plus 5 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: 1,200 total pages required [75 hours].

Genesis; Exodus; Deuteronomy; 2 Samuel; Job; Psalms 42-106; Isaiah 1-14, 40-53, 63-66; Jeremiah 1-36; Daniel (NRSV, TNIV, or CEB); Ancient Near Eastern Texts Packet [450 pp.].

Arnold, Bill T. Introduction to the Old Testament. Cambridge University Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-0521705479, Pub. Price $54.99 [400 pp.].

Available on Moodle Page [350 pp.]:

Marsha Wilfong, “Human Creation in Canonical Context: Genesis 1:26-31 and Beyond,” pp. 42-52 in William P. Brown, S. Dean McBride Jr., ed., God Who Creates. Essays in Honor of W. Sibley Towner (Eerdmans, 2000).

Kevin J. Madigan and Jon D. Levenson, “The Great Awakening,” pp. 171-200 in their Resurrection. The Power of God for Christians and Jews (Yale University Press, 2008).

Corrine L. Carvalho, “Finding a Treasure Map: Sacred Space in the Old Testament,” pp. 123-150 in Carol M. Bechtel, ed., Touching the Altar. The Old Testament for Christian Worship (Eerdmans, 2008).

Patrick D. Miller, “’That It May Go Well with You’ The Commandments and the Common Good,” pp. 136-163 in his The Way of the Lord. Essays in Old Testament Theology (Eerdmans, 2007).

Stephen Breck Reid, “Patriotism and Loyalty: The Foundation of a Quest for Black Liberation,” pp. 53-81 in his Experience and Tradition. A Primer in Black Biblical Hermeneutics (Abingdon, 1990).

Bo H. Lim, “Isaiah, History of Interpretation,” pp. 378-91 in Mark J. Boda and J. Gordon McConville, ed., Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets (IVP, 2012).

Elizabeth R. Hayes, “Justice and Righteousness,” pp. 466-72 in Mark J. Boda and J. Gordon McConville, ed., Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets (IVP, 2012).

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

Ernest C. Lucas, “Cosmology,” pp. 130-39 in T. Desmond Alexander and David W. Baker, ed., Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch (IVP, 2003).

Walter Brueggemann, “Doxology at the Edge of Ideology: The King of Majesty and Mercy,” pp. 55-87 in his Israel’s Praise. Doxology Against Idolatry and Ideology (Fortress Press, 1988).

RECOMMENDED READING:

Alexander, T. D., and D. W. Baker, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch. InterVarsity Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0830817818, Pub. Price $60.00.

Arnold, B. T., and H. G. M. Williamson, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. InterVarsity Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0830817825, Pub. Price $60.00.

Boda, Mark J., and J. Gordon McConville, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets. InterVarsity Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830817849, Pub Price $60.00.

Longman, Tremper, and Peter Enns (ed.). Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings. InterVarsity Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0830817832, Pub. Price $60.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,200 pages of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [75 hours].

2. Completion of two 5-page essays (10% each). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3-5]. [20 hours, includes 5 hours of Directed Learning Activities to which the essays are related].

3. Mid-term exam covering readings and lecture (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-2]. [10 hours].

4. Two-part final exam covering readings and lecture (50%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [20 hours].

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: Yes (Two-part final: Part A in class and Part B take home).