Spring 2014/Pasadena

OT856/556

Goldingay

OT856/556: OLD TESTAMENT HERMENEUTICS SEMINAR (6/4 Units). John Goldingay.

DESCRIPTION: This is a doctoral seminar on Old Testament hermeneutics. Up to three master’s level students may be admitted, with the professor’s permission.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete the course will have demonstrated that they have, (1) considered a variety of approaches to Old Testament hermeneutics and formed a view on more helpful and less helpful approaches; (2) reflected on approaches to the relationship between Old Testament faith and New Testament faith and formed a view on more appropriate and less appropriate approaches; and (3) applied these approaches to specific Old Testament texts.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets weekly for three-hour classes. Professor Goldingay will give presentations at the opening and closing classes. Classes in between will work through the required reading and include discussion of different approaches to hermeneutics and to the relationship between the Testaments. Each week the class will look at a specific Old Testament text.

REQUIRED READING:

Collins, John J. The Bible after Babel. Eerdmans, 2005. ISBN: 978-0802828927, Pub. Price $22.00 [200 pp.].

Perdue, Leo G. Reconstructing Old Testament Theology. Fortress, 2005. ISBN: 978-0800637163, Pub. Price $29.00 [400 pp.].

Thiselton, A. C. Hermeneutics: An Introduction. Eerdmans, 2009. ISBN: 978-0802864109, Pub. Price $32.00 [400 pp.].

Syllabus and Course Notes, posted on Moodle.

RECOMMENDED READING: This will be detailed in the syllabus and course notes.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Weekly notes on assigned readings in the Bible (pass/fail).

2. Weekly readings in secondary literature (pass/fail), on which 800-level students write two 2,000-word papers and 500-level students may write three 2,000-word papers.

3. Research/reflection paper. 500-level students may write a 6,000 word-paper as an alternative to the three 2,000-word papers. 800-level students write a 10,000-word paper as well as the two 2,000-word papers.

For 500-level students, the grade comes from the three 2,000-word papers or the 6,000-word paper.

For 800-level students, the grade comes from the two 2,000-word papers (25%) and the 6,000-word paper (75%).

PREREQUISITES: 500-level students must have completed (a) OT 501, (b) OT 502 or OT 504, (c) an MDiv course in philosophy (or, in each case, equivalent study), and have permission of the professor.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.