Winter 2020/Pasadena

OT854

Hays

OT854: ISRAELITE RELIGION IN ITS ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN ENVIRONMENT (6 Units: 379 hours). Christopher B. Hays.

DESCRIPTION: Religious diversity and conflict are not just features of the modern worlds that we inhabit; they were part of the ancient world of the Bible as well. In fact, the pages of the Old Testament are filled with stories about religious differences—not only differences with neighboring nations, but also religious and theological controversies within Israel and Judah—and indeed, within the palace and Temple themselves. This course is intended to introduce students to the critical study of the religions of ancient Israel and Judah. Engaging both biblical and ancient Near Eastern primary texts, it acquaints students with the similarities and differences between Israelite and Judean beliefs and practices and those of their neighbors. Secondary literature introduces students to the major theories about the nature of and diachronic changes in Israelite religion. Research projects will familiarize students with the comparative study of the Old Testament and encourage them to think about the relevance and proper application of the material to the interpretation of the Bible.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a basic acquaintance with various genres of ancient Near Eastern religious texts; (2) a familiarity with the major scholarly literature on Israelite religion and on its relationship to neighboring cultures; (3) an ability to employ comparative data and interpret the Old Testament from a comparative perspective through concrete case studies; (4) intermediate or advanced knowledge of biblical Hebrew.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will address the content and interpretation of the OT/NT in its historical and contemporary contexts, which is consistent with the SOT PLO “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries” (MDiv, MAT, MATM).

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for four-hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion. Class sessions will involve brief lectures, Hebrew translation, student presentations, and guided discussions.

REQUIRED READING: 3600 total pages required.

Albertz, Rainer. A History of Israelite Religion in the Old Testament Period. Trans. J. Bowden. 2 vols. Westminster John Knox, 1994. ISBN: 978-0664227197 and 978-0664227203, Pub. Price $45.00 each Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [600 pp. assigned].

Miller, Patrick D. The Religion of Ancient Israel. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0664232375. Pub. price $50 [250 pp. assigned].

Course Reader [2350 pp]. (See professor for complete reading list.)