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:
- demonstrate a basic competence regarding the content, perspectives, issues
raised by this portion of Scripture.
- gain an appreciation for how these "Writings" provide a solid foundation
for much of what a pastor does: spiritual direction, prayer-guidance,
story-making, pain-sharing, prophetic-urging, hope-creating, worship-leading,
faith-questioning, and community-building.
- learn how this section of the Hebrew canon provides a sampling of diverse
voices within Scripture mirroring the complex and often competing voices in the
church and how to wisely and compassionately engage that dialogue.
- have a set of resources provided by fellow students for using the Psalms in
a variety of settings such as worship services, youth gatherings, Sunday School
classes, counseling sessions, bible study groups, retreats.
- develop an awareness of how their own social locations and political
convictions may influence how they may read, respond to and choose to practice
these texts.
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:
- Class attendance/participation (10%)
- 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%)
- A 5-6 page essay on a theological issue relevant to a specific biblical
text (20%)
- A Psalms project (25%)
- A final exam (30%)
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M. Div. core requirement in Old Testament "c"
(OTC).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.