Summer 2012/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 2-13
OT567
D. Lamb

OT567: GENESIS (ENGLISH TEXT). David Lamb.


DESCRIPTION: This course will examine the theological, historical, and literary features of the English text of Genesis. The course will discuss the text in light of its ancient Near Eastern context and with a view to apply it in our postmodern context.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course will deepen a student's understanding of and appreciation for the first book of the Bible, which will then lay a foundation for richer interpretation of all Scripture.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated that they

  1. have a knowledge and understanding of Genesis, its literary features, its historical and cultural context, and the way it illustrates works of its genre;

  2. can offer an exegesis of passages from Genesis in light of a range of appropriate interpretive approaches, including ones that take account of the diversity of contexts from which the text can be read;

  3. have articulated some reflection on the significance of Genesis for their discipleship and ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet daily for four-hour sessions for two weeks. Each session will be approximately one-third lecture and two-thirds discussion.

REQUIRED READING:
Enuma Elish, Atrahasis, and The Epic of Gilgamesh. To be provided electronically. 50 pages.

Lamb, D. T. God Behaving Badly: Is the God of the Old Testament Angry, Sexist and Racist? Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2011. 60 pages. ISBN: 9780830838264. Pub.price: $15.

Longman, T. How to Read Genesis. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2005. 175 pages. ISBN: 9780877849438. Pub.price: $16.

Sarna, N. M. Understanding Genesis: The World of the Bible in the Light of History. New York: Schocken Books. 227 pages. ISBN: 8780805202533. Pub.price: $15.95.

Trible, P. God and the Rhetoric of Sexuality. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1986. 72 pages. ISBN: 9780800604646. Pub.price: $21.

Wenham, G. J. Genesis 1-15. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1987. 335 pages. ISBN: 9780849902000. Pub.price: $49.99.

Readings from Genesis commentaries of Brueggemann, Fretheim. On iPreach. 50 pages.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
  1. Class attendance and preparation of discussion texts (10%)

  2. A 2-3 page narrative reflection paper based on a character in the book of Genesis (10%)

  3. An 8-9 page exegetical paper based on a passage in the book of Genesis (30%)

  4. A 5-6 page teaching series plan based on four texts from the book of Genesis (25%)

  5. A final exam (25%)

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MA program requirement for Old Testament book study (OTBK).

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