DESCRIPTION:

The third part of the Hebrew canon of the Old Testament will be studied by way of introduction and selected readings from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Historical, theological, literary and canonical perspectives will be considered in order to elucidate the meaning of these books.

While the preacher brings God's Word to the people, the seminary teacher has the prior task of bringing ministerial students to the Bible, in which the revelation of the being and will of God is anchored in ancient history and literature and culture. From this study in the Old Testament will emerge its recurring agenda of human need or perplexity and divine response, and also issues of spirituality as God's people or individual servants wrestled with problems of living and either found or resisted divine grace.

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

Childs, B. S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1979.

Murphy, R. E. The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

Rendtorff, R. The Old Testament: An Introduction. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986.

Anderson, B. W. Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak for Us Today. 3rd ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2000.

LaSor, W. S., Hubbard, D. A., Bush, F. W. Old Testament Survey. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

Schmidt, W. E. Old Testament Introduction. New York: Crossroad, 1984.

Reading indicated in the schedule to prepare for the final examination, which will contribute 60% toward the course grade; an exegetical term paper of 12-15 pages that will be worth 40%.

None, but it is recommended that students take OT501 Pentateuch before this course.

Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament "C" (OTC).

Yes. Passages for exegesis discussed in class and essays on the required reading will be set.