Summer 2003/Pasadena
Five-week Intensive
OT501
Goldingay
OT501: PENTATEUCH. John Goldingay.
DESCRIPTION:
- The course studies the origin and historical value of Genesis to
Deuteronomy; the different blocks of "law" and the principles they embody; the
books as a narrative with a plot, characters, and themes; and their
significance for Christian faith, life, and ministry.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- By the end of the course students should have
- gained familiarity with these books of the Bible with their foundational
significance for an understanding of the gospel, of the commitment of the
people of God, and of what it means to be human;
- considered questions raised by a recognition that these books are God's
word and by the application of critical methods to them, in the context of
current ferment over the origin of the Pentateuch;
- developed skills in the interpretation of Old Testament narrative; and
- considered how to relate Old Testament "law" to doctrinal, pastoral, and
moral questions in church and world.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course meets twice weekly for four hours, for five weeks.
Classes require specific reading of the biblical text and other preparation, on
average a further eight hours per week. The classroom time then combines
lectures, work in groups of four or five, and plenary discussion. The course is
thus not primarily lecture-based; it emphasizes collaborative learning and
students need to be willing to be committed to working together with other
students.
REQUIRED READING:
- NRSV Bible.
- Alexander, T. D. and D. W. Baker, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament:
Pentateuch. InterVarsity Press, 2002.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Brueggemann, W. Genesis. Knox, 1982.
- Frankel, E. The Five Books of Miriam: A Woman's Commentary on the
Torah. Harper, 1996.
- Fretheim, T. Exodus. Knox, 1991.
- Goldingay, J. After Eating the Apricot. Paternoster, 1996.
- Hartley, J. E. Leviticus. Word, 1992.
- Miles, J. God: A Biography. Knopf/Simon Schuster, 1995.
- Olson, D. T. Numbers. Knox, 1996.
- Wright, C. J. H. Deuteronomy. Hendrickson/Paternoster, 1996.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Preparation for classes, with submission of preparation notes at each class
(one-half of final grade).
- Two 10-page papers, or by negotiation one 20-page paper (one-half of final
grade).
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATION TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M.Div. core requirement in Old Testament "a" (OTA).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Only for students who miss a class. The mark is then combined with
that for the files of preparation notes.