DESCRIPTION: The course introduces study of the Old Testament as the Word of God, a work of literature, a work emerging out of Israel's history, and a work that needs to be studied critically to grasp its significance. It focuses on the third section of the Jewish canon, the Writings: Psalms, Job, Proverbs, the Scrolls (Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Lamentations, and Esther), Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course seeks to induct students into the study of the Old Testament in a way that will excite them with its significance and inform and motivate them for further study in seminary, in their lives, and in their ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete the course will have demonstrated that they (1) have grasped the outline of Israel's history as portrayed in the Old and New Testaments and in light of modern study; (2) understand the nature and process of the Old Testament's composition, especially as illustrated by Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Daniel; (3) understand the nature of worship, prayer, and wisdom as illustrated by the Writings and its relationship with ancient Near Eastern equivalents; (4) know how to interpret Old Testament narrative, as illustrated by the Writings; (5) have looked at aspects of the Writings from angles other than those of the male, white, Western world; (6) have reflected on the significance of the Writings for Christian theology, mission, and discipleship.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets weekly for one three-hour class; students also take part in an hour's online discussion each week. Classes combine lecture and plenary discussion, with some dramatized reading, creative writing, and listening to recorded material. Classes require about four hours of homework weekly, including study of the biblical text and other specified reading, which is then the basis for the online discussion. Recordings of the class are posted on Moodle and on iTunes.

REQUIRED READING:

NRSV or TNIV Bible.

Arnold, B. T., and H. G. M. Williamson, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. InterVarsity Press, 2005.

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

Syllabus and Course Notes, posted on Moodle during finals week of the quarter before the course.

Brown, M. What They Don't Tell You: A Survivor's Guide to Biblical Studies. Westminster John Knox, 2000.

Brueggemann, W. The Message of the Psalms. Augsburg, 1984.

Crenshaw, J. Old Testament Wisdom. Revised ed. Westminster John Knox, 1999.

Goldingay, J. Old Testament Theology. Three vols. InterVarsity Press, 2003, 2006, 2009.

Gunn, D., and D. N. Fewell. Narrative in the Hebrew Bible. Oxford University Press, 1993.

Kidner, D. The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. InterVarsity Press, 1985.

Levison, John R., and Priscilla Pope-Levison, eds. Return to Babel. Westminster John Knox, 1999.

1. Attendance at classes, preparation homework, and participation in online discussion (pass/fail).

2. Two papers, each 2500-3000 words. The grade comes from these papers (each 50%), subject to reduction for missing a class without listening to the recording, or not posting satisfactory preparation homework, or not taking part in online discussion.