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
- better understand the Jewish literature of the period, the historical
situation in which Christianity began, and the New Testament;
- develop skills in exegesis of Jewish literature and in applying insights to
ministry;
- gain appreciation for the Jewish origins of Christianity.
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.