Summer 2006/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 3-14
NS571
VanderKam

NS571: INTRODUCTION TO EARLY JUDAISM. James C. VanderKam.


DESCRIPTION: The course will focus on the Jewish literature written during the period of Early Judaism (about 400 BC until about AD 100) and on what the texts convey regarding Jewish thought and life. This information will be studied in and of itself but also in relation to the New Testament.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: After completing the course, the student will


RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: A knowledge of Early Judaism pays valuable dividends in understanding a period little known by most Christians and in a richer grasp of Jesus, who was Jewish, and of the New Testament books, almost all of which were written by Jews. Such information may also prove valuable in sermon preparation and in teaching classes. It is helpful, too, in a pluralistic world and in the ongoing Jewish-Christian dialogue.

COURSE FORMAT: The class sessions will include lectures and discussions of the textbook and especially of the various Early Jewish texts (in English translation) that will be assigned. The class will meet for four hours each weekday for two weeks.

REQUIRED READING:
A Bible with the Apocrypha, preferably the New Revised Standard Version.

Nickelsburg, George and J. VanderKam. 1 Enoch: A New Translation. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004 [paperback].

VanderKam, James. An Introduction to Early Judaism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.

Vermes, Geza. The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English. New York/London: Penguin, 1997 [paperback].

Course Reader with readings from pseudepigraphic works.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Barclay, J. Jews in the Mediterranean Diaspora: From Alexander to Trajan (323 BCE-117 CE). Edinburgh: Clark, 1996 [paperback version: University of California Press].

Collins, J. The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.

_______. Between Athens and Jerusalem: Jewish Identity in the Hellenistic Diaspora. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans/Livonia, MI: Dove, 2000.

Nickelsburg, G. Jewish Literature between the Bible and the Mishnah. 2nd ed. with CD ROM; Minneapolis: Fortress, 2005.

VanderKam, J. and P. Flint. The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Their Significance for Understanding the Bible, Judaism, Jesus, and Christianity. San Francisco: Harper, 2002.

ASSIGNMENTS: Each student will be responsible for preparing daily readings and for being able to discuss them. There will be a midterm and a final test, each covering one-half of the course material (33% of final grade for each) and a 10-12 page paper (33% of the final grade).

PREREQUISITES: NS500 Gospels and NS501 Acts-Revelation.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).

FINAL EXAMINATION: There will be a test on the last day but it will cover only half the material.