Winter 2014/Pasadena

OT854/554

Hays

OT854/554: ISRAELITE RELIGION IN ITS ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN ENVIRONMENT. Christopher B. Hays.

DESCRIPTION: This course is intended to introduce students to the critical study of the religions of ancient Israel and Judah. Engaging both biblical and ancient near Eastern primary texts, it acquaints students with the similarities and differences between Israelite and Judean beliefs and practices and those of their neighbors. A reading of major secondary literature introduces students to the major theories of the nature and diachronic changes in Israelite religion. Research projects will familiarize students with the comparative study of the Old Testament and encourages them to think about the relevance and proper application of the material to the interpretation of the Bible.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: An understanding of Israelite religion is crucial to the way in which both the history of Israel and the formation of the Old Testament are understood, and it has the potential to reshape and bring into focus one’s theological uses of the text.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a basic acquaintance with the large corpus of ancient Near Eastern religious texts; (2) a familiarity with the major scholarly literature on Israelite religion and its relationship to those of its neighbors; (3) an ability to employ comparative data and interpret the Old Testament from a comparative perspective through concrete case studies; (4) advanced knowledge of biblical Hebrew.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet weekly for a three-hour session. Class sessions will involve brief lectures, Hebrew translation, student presentations, and guided discussions.

REQUIRED READING:

Albertz, Rainer. A History of Israelite Religion in the Old Testament Period. Trans. J. Bowden. 2 vols. Westminster John Knox, 1994. ISBN: 978-0664227197 and 978-0664227203, Pub. Price $40.00 each [384 pp. each].