DESCRIPTION: The course covers the books in the third section of the Hebrew
Scriptures: Psalms, Job, Proverbs, the Scrolls (Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Song of
Songs, Lamentations, and Esther), Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course students should have
(1) become excited about these books with their wide-ranging significance
for our life with God; (2) considered the importance of the wisdom books
in the modern world against their Middle Eastern background; (3) gained
expertise in approaches to interpreting the Psalms and let this bring about
developments in the way they pray; (4) considered the way Israel's story
is retold and extended in the Old Testament and its significance for the modern
church; and (5) considered approaches to the interpretation of Old
Testament short stories and their significance for women and men today.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: See learning outcomes.
COURSE FORMAT: The course meets weekly for one three-hour class; in addition
students take part in one hour's on-line discussion over each weekend. Classes
then combine lecture and plenary discussion, with some dramatized reading,
creative writing, and listening to recorded material. Classes require
substantial preparation on the part of students, on average four hours of
preparation for each three-hour class, including study of the biblical text and
other specified reading, which is then the basis for the on-line discussion.
REQUIRED READING: Students do not need to possess any books except an NRSV or
TNIV and a copy of the Syllabus and Course Notes, which will be available
online at www.fuller.edu/sot/faculty/goldingay
during Finals Week in the quarter before the course runs.
RECOMMENDED READING: