Spring 2018/Houston

OT500

Dearman

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

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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 is a hybrid+ course, meaning that it is a ten-week course with nine weeks of online instruction and one week of classroom instruction during week six of the quarter. The week of classroom instruction will include four hours daily of lecture and discussion, as well as additional lunch meetings and evening sessions (required in hybrid+ courses). Classroom and online instruction will include lecture and discussion 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 $59.99 [400 pp.].

Available on Canvas 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, 2003. 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. Completion of weekly assigned reading and viewing materials and submission of eight response papers (350 words) to instructor (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [80 hours].
2. Weekly posting of answers, comments, and reflections on the instructor’s and other participants questions and writings (300-350 words) (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3-5]. [20 hours of online interaction].
3. Mid-term exam during sixth week covering readings and lectures (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-2]. [15 hours preparation and writing].
4. A final interpretive paper (3000 words) on an assigned biblical text (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [25 hours].
5. Classroom instruction [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: 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.