Winter 2014/Pasadena

OT534

Butler

OT534: OLD TESTAMENT THEOLOGY. James T. Butler.

DESCRIPTION: This course will introduce the student to the discipline of Old Testament theology, including both its central methodological concerns and a selective survey of its subject matter. Methodological issues will be put into relief by comparative studies of classic works in the field, particularly those of Eichrodt and von Rad. Themes to be treated will include God, creation, redemption, promise, covenant, people, land, and the nations. Relationships to the New Testament will be discussed within each topic. A constructive proposal will be offered for organizing a theology of the Old Testament around the issue of canonical unity and diversity.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Biblical theology may be thought of as the disciplined attempt to hear “the whole counsel of Scripture”; its challenge is to let each witness within the canon have its own particular “voice,” while listening for the “melody” of the whole. In this way, biblical theology is distinct from both exegesis and systematic theology, and it is critical to both if they are to make their proper contribution to an informed faith.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a basic understanding of the ways in which biblical theology has been defined and situated as a discipline; (2) an ability to articulate and to reflect upon central theological themes of the Old Testament, and to relate them to both the New Testament and to historic Christian theological affirmations; (3) an awareness of how the historical and cultural particularities behind Scripture have shaped its witness; (4) an appreciation of how we may learn from historically and culturally diverse vantage points better to read, use, and obey the theological testimony of the Old Testament; (5) basic skills in interpreting texts, including the ability to use scholarly resources both critically and constructively.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will once a meet week for three-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Levenson, Jon D. Sinai and Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible. Harper, 1987. ISBN: 978-0062548283, Pub. Price $16.99 [240 pp.].

A collection of readings provided on the Moodle course page.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bibliographic suggestions will be provided for each topic. The following are of general interest:

Brueggemann, Walter. Old Testament Theology: Essays on Structure, Theme, and Text. Fortress, 1992. ISBN: 978-0800625375, Pub. Price $26.00 [340 pp.].

Goldingay, John. Old Testament Theology, Vol. 2: Israel’s Faith. InterVarsity Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0830825622, Pub. Price $50.00 [891 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: There will be two written requirements for the course:

  1. A 3600-4000 page paper on a specific topic of Old Testament theology (50%).

  2. Four 900 word essays on selected study questions provided in advance by the instructor, submitted online during the course as part of a forum process (40%).

  3. Participation in responding to essays posted by other students (10%).

PREREQUISITES: OT500 or OT501.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament “b” or “c” (OTB or OTC).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.