Fall 2013/Pasadena

OT507

Butler

OT507: OLD TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: JOB. James T. Butler.

DESCRIPTION: The book of Job will be examined critically from the twin perspectives of its meaning in its ancient context and its continuing significance for the modern community of faith. Significant time will be devoted to the translation and careful exegetical examination of the Hebrew text of representative passages. Lectures and readings will address larger thematic and structural issues, and will explore parallels with other ancient Near Eastern representatives of theodicy literature. Time will be given to discussion of examples of the heritage of Job in Western culture and in the theological reflection of the church.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Job offers crucial lessons for ministry to a suffering world: the limits of our theological systems in the face of unexplained suffering; the need for humility and self-scrutiny in our efforts to help those who suffer; the need to recognize and to advocate for those who suffer in our midst and “outside the gate,” in the very diverse social and cultural settings of our world.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) the ability to use appropriate tools to translate and analyze portions of the Hebrew text of Job; (2) basic skills in exegeting Old Testament texts; (3) an awareness of the literary complexity of the book of Job and a consistent, exegetically sound interpretation of its message; (4) an ability to relate Job to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament and to appreciate the distinctive contributions of this literature to biblical theology; and (5) an ability to articulate responses to the theological challenges posed by suffering.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet twice weekly for two hours sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Hebrew text of selected passages; English text of entire book in NRSV, TNIV, or CEB;

Balentine, Samuel E. Job. Smyth and Helwys, 2006. ISBN: 978-1573120678, Pub. Price $65.00 [750 pp.].

Gutiérrez, Gustavo. On Job: God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent. Orbis, 1987. ISBN: 978-0883445525, Pub. Price $24.00 [160 pp.].

See the Biblical Division bibliography “Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program” available in the SOT Academic Advising office.

RECOMMENDED READING:

MacLeish, A. J.B.: A Play in Verse. Houghton Mifflin, 1958. ISBN: 978-0395083536, Pub. Price $15.00 [153 pp.].

Murphy, Roland E. The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature. 3rd ed. Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN: 978-0802839657, Pub. Price $30.00 [300 pp.].

Newsom, Carol A. The Book of Job: A Contest of Moral Imaginations. Oxford University Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0195396287, Pub. Price $24.95 [320 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The requirements will fall into three areas:

1. Weekly preparation for translation and exegetical discussions [40% of course grade};

2. A series of brief quizzes that will assess introductory, interpretive, and integrative issues, drawing upon lectures and focused readings [30%];

3. The writing of an exegetical paper (3,000-3,500 words) [30%].

PREREQUISITES: LG502.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament “c” (OTCE) and MA program requirements for Old Testament book study (OTBK).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.