Spring 2020/Pasadena

OT500

Lee

OT500: OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 160 hours). Kyong-Jin Lee.

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.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will introduce students to content and interpretation of the OT in its historical and contemporary context, 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 three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: [1,200 pp. approximately]

Genesis; Exodus; Deuteronomy; 2 Samuel; Job; Psalms 42-106; Isaiah 1-14, 40-53, 63-66; Jeremiah 1-36; Daniel. NRSV, TNIV or CEB [250 pp.].

Childs, Brevard S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Reprint ed. Augsburg Fortress, 2010. ISBN: 978-0800698331, Pub. Price $39.00 [300 pp.].

Coogan, Michael D. A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament. 3rd ed. Oxford University Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-0190238599, Pub. Price $69.95 [300 pp.].

Reading material posted on course page [300 pp. approximately]. See the following sampling:

Goldingay, John. “The Stories in Daniel: A Narrative Politics.” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 37 (1987): 99-116.

Levin, Christoph. "The 'Word of Yahweh': A Theological Concept in the Book of Jeremiah." In Prophets, Prophecy, and Prophetic Texts in Second Temple Judaism, ed. M. H. Floyd and R. D. Haak. New York: T & T Clark, 2006. 42-62.

Meyers, Carol. “The Problem of Patriarchy.” In Discovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. 24-46.

Niditch,Susan and RobertDoran.“Success Story of the Wise Courtier: A Formal Approach.”Journal of Biblical Literature 96 (1977): 179-193.

Sneed, Mark. “Israelite Concern for the Alien, Orphan, and Widow: Altruism or Ideology?” Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 111 (1999): 498-507.

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

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Attendance at and participation in all class meetings. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4]. [30 hours].
100-120 pp. of weekly assigned readings in the Old Testament and secondary literature. [This assignment relates to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3]. [80 hours].
Weekly postings on Canvas in connection with assigned reading (25%). [This assignment relates to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3]. [10 hours].
Midterm examination will test the student’s knowledge of the course material and ability to engage it in a critical discussion. It will contain brief essay questions dealing with the historical, theological, and interpretive issues relevant to the material discussed in the first half of the course (2,000-2,500 words). (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-4.] [20 hours preparation and writing].
A final exegesis paper that requires a focused discussion on a specific theme, motif, and/or issue relevant to the biblical passage of the student’s selection (2,500-3,000 words). (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 2-5.] [20 hours preparation and writing].

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.