DESCRIPTION: This course is a survey of the third major division of the Hebrew Bible known as the Writings (Ketubim)--Psalm, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles. Its focus includes the historical, literary, and theological perspectives of selected texts.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will enable students to (1) better know and understand the books that comprise the Writings; (2) understand more about the literary features of these texts; (3) better understand the historical and cultural situations of the books; (4) develop ability in interpreting the texts; (5) see more clearly the nature of the Bible as both human word and holy Scripture; (6) appreciate new ways of reading Scripture; (7) have more enthusiasm for reading the Bible; (8) use the Bible better in their ministries; (9) move towards a deeper obedience to Scripture in their own lives.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This survey encourages critical engagement with issues of human wisdom, spirituality, and suffering in light of God's involvement in the world (individual and community experiences). It also facilitates reflection on the complexity of the text's perspectives on these and other issues.

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

REQUIRED READING:

Brenner, Athalya, ed. Ruth and Esther. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999.

Brown, William P. Character in Crisis: A Fresh Approach to the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

Crenshaw, James L. A Whirlpool of Torment: Israelite Traditions of God as an Oppressive Presence. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984.

Estes, Daniel J. Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2005.

Matthews, Victor H., and Don C. Benjamin. Old Testament Parallels: Laws and Stories from the Ancient Near East. New York: Paulist Press, 1991.

Murphy, Roland E. The Tree of Life: An Explanation of Biblical Wisdom Literature. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1996.

Pleins, J. David. The Psalms: Songs of Tragedy, Hope, and Justice. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1993.

Other books and articles to be selected from a Selected Bibliography and library reserve.

Camp, Claudia. Wisdom and the Feminine in the Book of Proverbs. Sheffield: Almond, 1985.

Kraus, H.-J. Theology of the Psalms. Trans. Hilton C. Oswald. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1989.

Rad, Gerhard von. Wisdom in Israel. Valley Forge: Trinity Press, 1972.

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

Rendtorff, R. The Old Testament: An Introduction. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1991.

Sarna, Nahum M. On the Book of Psalms: Exploring the Prayers of Ancient Israel. New York: Schocken Books, 1993.