DESCRIPTION: This course will be concerned with the interpretation of the Pentateuch, comprised of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Close scrutiny of selected passages will alternate with attention to overarching themes, interpretive issues, and theological appropriation. Instruction will be based upon English translations, although students who have studied Hebrew will be encouraged to make use of their skills.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: In Western Christian churches during the past century and a half, perhaps no portion of the Old Testament has been fought over more and preached upon less than the Pentateuch. Particularly among Protestants, traditional ambivalence about law and cult has been joined by controversies over emerging critical perspectives, new discoveries from cognate literatures, and developing scientific understandings of origins so as to polarize readings of these books and to assign their treatment increasingly to apologetics. In this course we will seek to recover insights of Jewish and Christian tradition that have been obscured, to formulate mature theological responses to problems that have been posed, and to embrace new questions that may challenge us to more faithful hearing and doing.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a fundamental knowledge of the content and structure of these books; (2) an acquaintance with a range of cultural and historical matters that may inform our understanding, as well as an awareness of the issues involved in assessing their contribution; (3) basic skills in interpreting texts, including the ability to use scholarly resources both critically and constructively; (4) an ability to reflect theologically upon the central themes of the Pentateuch, including creation, sin and redemption, promise and covenant, grace and law, and worship; and (5) an appreciation of how we may learn from historically and culturally diverse vantage points better to read, use, and obey this portion of Scripture.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet twice weekly in two-hour blocks. Some sessions will include a period for focused small group discussions.

REQUIRED READING:

Boadt, Lawrence. Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction. New York: Paulist Press, 1984.

Nelson, Richard D. Raising Up a Faithful Priest: Community and Priesthood in Biblical Theology. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1993.

Sarna, Nahum. Exploring Exodus. New York: Schocken, 1986.

__________. Understanding Genesis. New York: Schocken, 1970.

Course reader (including relevant ANE texts, articles reflecting different interpretive perspectives).

Blenkinsopp, Joseph. The Pentateuch: An Introduction to the First Five Books of the Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1992.

Dalley, Stephanie. Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh and Others. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991.

A list of recommended commentaries will be provided with the syllabus.