Summer 2012/Pasadena
Five-week Intensive: July 23-August 24
OT506
Smoak

OT506: OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: JEREMIAH (HEBREW TEXT). Jeremy D. Smoak.


DESCRIPTION: This course is a study of the book of Jeremiah in Hebrew. Particular attention will be devoted to examining the language, historical context, and theological issues involved in interpreting the prophetic book. Lectures will treat the historical background of the prophet's ministry, the themes of his message, and the literary forms of their expression, as well as the book's relationship to other prophetic literature in the Hebrew Bible.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Containing both oracles to the people and narratives about the prophet, the book of Jeremiah addresses a variety of issues and themes intrinsic to ministry: the experience of God's call and of God's absence; the challenge of opposition, both lay and professional; a diagnosis of misplaced trust and the depth of human sin; and the horizons of God's purpose for the future.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated
(1) an ability to translate selected passages from the book of Jeremiah; (2) an ability to use the textual apparatus of the Hebrew Bible and other resources that aid a study of the Hebrew text of Jeremiah; (3) a fundamental knowledge of the literary forms and thematic content of the book of Jeremiah; (4) an acquaintance with the historical and social location of Israel's prophetic literature, with an emphasis upon the late seventh-sixth centuries; (5) competence in interpreting passages from the book of Jeremiah in light of a range of appropriate approaches; (6) an ability to reflect upon and evaluate the theological issues raised by the book of Jeremiah and to discern their implications for Christian faith and practice; (7) an awareness 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 is an intensive format course. The class will meet twice weekly, four hours per session, for five weeks. In each session, time will be devoted to lecture presentations, translation of selected Hebrew texts, and discussion of specific themes found in the book of Jeremiah.

REQUIRED READING:

Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph, eds. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1990 (ISBN: 3438052229; $66.17).

Allen, Leslie C. Jeremiah: A Commentary. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2008 (ISBN: 978-0664222239; $59.95).

Smith-Christopher, Daniel L. A Biblical Theology of Exile. Overture to Biblical Theology; Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2002 (ISBN: 0800632249; $19.20).

Brueggemann, W. The Prophetic Imagination. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001 (ISBN: 0800632877; $12.94).

A selection of articles available on the course Moodle site, including:
O'Connor, Kathleen M., "Teaching Jeremiah," Perspectives in Religious Studies 36 (2009): 273-87.

O' Connor, Kathleen M., "A Family Comes Undone," Review & Expositor 105 (2008): 201-12.

Seitz, C., "The Prophet Moses and the Canonical Shape of Jeremiah," ZAW 101 (1989): 3-27.
See also Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html.

RECOMMENDED READING:
O'Brien, Julia M. Challenging Prophetic Metaphor: Theology and Ideology in the Prophets (ISBN: 978-0664229641; $24.95).

ASSIGNMENTS: Basic study of the text, including the reading of a commentary, should precede class work, which will contribute 40% toward the course grade. Each student will submit a journal of their preparation that demonstrates that they have translated the Hebrew of each assigned passage. Further reading of commentaries will be necessary. An exegetical paper will also be required, which will contribute 30%. A midterm examination will be worth 15%, and a final examination will contribute 15%.

PREREQUISITES: LG502.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament "B" (OTBE) and MA program requirement for Old Testament book study (OTBK).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes. It will involve translation and exegesis of passages previously studied.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (April 2012)