Fall 2004/Pasadena
OT504
Brenneman

OT504: WRITINGS. James E. Brenneman.


DESCRIPTION:

A study of the English text of the third portion of the Hebrew Scriptures, which includes the Psalms, the Wisdom Literature (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes), the Festival Books (Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Esther), the apocalyptic book of Daniel, and the books of the Chronicler (Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah). Attention will be given to discerning the importance of their canonical placement and their theological, literary, and historical perspectives.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
Students completing this course will:

COURSE FORMAT:
The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions of lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING:
Anderson, B. W. Out of the Depths. 3d. ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2000.

Ceresko, Anthony R. Introduction to the Old Testament: A Liberation Perspective. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1992.

Clifford, Richard J. The Wisdom Literature. Nashville: Abingdon, 1998.

All biblical texts as assigned.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Brenner, A., ed. A Feminist Companion to the Wisdom Literature, A Feminist Companion to the Song of Songs, A Feminist Companion to Ruth, and A Feminist Companion to Esther, Judith, and Susanna. Sheffield Academic Press, 1995, 1993, 1993, and 1995.

Brueggemann, Walter. The Message of the Psalms. Minneapolis: Augsburg/Fortress, 1994.

Cook, Stephen. The Apocalyptic Literature. Nashville: Abingdon, 2004.

Peterson, Eugene H. Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 1980.

Reid, Stephen. Listening In: A Multicultural Reading of the Psalms. Nashville: Abingdon, 1997.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Class attendance/participation (10%)

  2. 1000 pages of reading (includes required readings which are to be completed prior to the class for which they are assigned and supplementary recommended readings) (15%)

  3. A 5-6 page essay on a theological issue relevant to a specific biblical text (20%)

  4. A Psalms project (25%)

  5. A final exam (30%)

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M. Div. core requirement in Old Testament "c" (OTC).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.