DESCRIPTION: A study of the English text of the third portion of the Hebrew scriptures, which includes the Psalms, the Wisdom literature (Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes), the Festival books (Ruth, Song of Songs, Lamentations, and Esther), the apocalyptic book of Daniel, and the historical books of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a basic competence in exegetical and hermeneutical skills; (2) an overview of this portion of the Hebrew canon and of the introductory issues pertaining to each portion of it; (3) an awareness of the variety of contemporary perspectives which may inform a Christian reading of this literature; (4) a grasp of several theological issues which characterize the later period of Israel's history: the dynamics of worship; wisdom and its diversity; competing understandings of the future hope.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Special attention will be given to models offered in this portion of the canon for addressing a variety of issues: the dynamics of lament and praise in worship; the formation of character in community; the interplay of religious particularism and cultural openness; the faithful imaging of the horizon of our hope; and questions about the goodness of God.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet twice weekly, two hours per session. Class sessions will be devoted to a combination of lecture presentations and structured class discussions.

REQUIRED READING:

Gutiérrez, Gustavo. On Job: God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1987.

Longman, Tremper, III, and Peter Enns, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008.

Sakenfeld, Katharine Doob. Just Wives? Stories of Power and Survival in the Old Testament and Today. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003.

Course reader.

Anderson, B. W. Out of the Depths. 3rd ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2000.

Billman, Kathleen, and Daniel Migliore. Rachel's Cry: Prayer of Lament and Rebirth of Hope. Cleveland: United Church Press, 1999.

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

Brueggemann, Walter. The Psalms and the Life of Faith. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995.

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

Murphy, Roland E. The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002.

Supplemental bibliography will be distributed with the syllabus.

1. A paper consisting of two parts:
   a.a 5-6 page exegetical treatment of a selected passage;
   b.a 5-6 page exposition of a related theological issue.
   Materials for preparing this assignment will be provided on reserve (40%).

2. A brief midterm examination (25%).

3. A final examination (35%).