Winter 2013/Pasadena

OT567

Butler

OT567: JEREMIAH (ENGLISH TEXT). James T. Butler.

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide an overview of the historical context and the theological issues of the book of Jeremiah as well as an opportunity for careful examination of representative passages. Lectures will treat the historical background of the prophet’s ministry, the themes of his message and the literary forms of their expression, and the shaping of the Jeremianic corpus in the exilic period.

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) a fundamental knowledge of the literary forms and thematic content of the book of Jeremiah; (2) an acquaintance with the historical and social location of Israel’s prophetic literature, with an emphasis upon the late seventh century; (3) competence in interpreting passages from the book of Jeremiah in light of a range of appropriate approaches; (4) 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; (5) 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 will meet once weekly, three hours per session, for ten weeks. Class time will be devoted to lecture, group presentations, and to discussion of specific texts and themes.

REQUIRED READING:

NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible.

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

Or: Brueggemann, Walter. A Commentary on Jeremiah: Exile and Homecoming, 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998. (ISBN 978-0802802804; $42.00).

A selection of articles available on the course Moodle site.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Boda, Mark J. and J. Gordon McConville (eds.). Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2012. (ISBN 978-0830817849; $60.00).

Leclerc, Thomas L. Introduction to the Prophets: Their Stories, Sayings, and Scrolls. New York: Paulist, 2007. (ISBN 978-0809144921; $27.95).

O’Brien, Julia M. Challenging Prophetic Metaphor: Theology and Ideology in the Prophets. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2008. (ISBN 978-0664229641; $24.95).

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Weekly preparation of class readings and exercises (20%);

  2. Responsibility for participating in a group making a presentation to the class (20%);

  3. The use of lecture notes and syllabus readings to develop answers to study questions which will be the basis of a midterm examination (30%);

  4. The writing of an exegetical paper (approx. 3,000 words; 30%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the MA program requirements for OT book study (OTBK).


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.