DESCRIPTION: This course, taught in Spanish, studies the third section of the Hebrew Bible, which includes the following books: Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Ruth, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and 1-2 Chronicles. It will give particular attention to the structure of these books, as well as their content, literary form, and theology.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will (1) demonstrate knowledge of the literary structure and content of the Writings; (2) identify the cultural and historical difficulties and peculiarities necessary to adequately comprehend these works; (3) have basic skills for interpreting these texts, including the ability to utilize the literary forms of the passages studied; (4) be able to reflect theologically on the central themes of the Writings, including worship, wisdom, fulfillment and lack of fulfillment of prophecy, and the diverse responses to the Exile.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The Writings are books of the Bible that emphasize and present the word and the will of God as it responds to human needs, conflicts, and anxieties. The course will allow students to appreciate this literature and discover how we can learn and enjoy the message of these biblical texts that are so distant from us historically, geographically, and culturally.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet four hours daily, for two weeks, for lecture and discussion, presentations of papers and other educational experiences.

REQUIRED READING:

Students will read the books of the Writings: Ruth, 1-2 Chronicles, Lamentations, Psalms, Daniel, Esther, Ezra-Nehemiah, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

Students must have and bring to class at least two contemporary versions of the Bible, e.g.: RVR-95, NVI, DHH, BLS, BLA, BJ, Peregrino.

Farmer, James, ed. Comentario Bíblico Hispanoamericano. Madrid: Verbo Divino, 2001.

Levoratti, Armando, ed., Comentario Bíblico Latinoamericano. Vols. 1-2. Madrid: Verbo Divino, 2006, 2007.

Pagán, Samuel. De lo profundo, Señor, a ti clamo: Comentario al libro de los Salmos. Miami: Editorial Patmos, 2007.

Bush, F. Ruth/Esther. Word Biblical Commentary. Word, 1996.

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

Davies, P. R. Daniel. OT Guides. JSOT Press, 1995.

de Claisse-Walford, Nancy. Reading from the Beginning. Mercer University Press, 1997.

Goldingay, J. E. Daniel. Word Biblical Commentary. Word, 1989.

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

Miller, Patrick D. They Cried to the Lord. Fortress, 1994.