OT528
Andersen
OT528: JOB. Francis Andersen.
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 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.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Students completing this course will have demonstrated: (1) a sound
grasp of the book of Job and a consistent, exegetically sound interpretation of
its message; (2) 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 to culture in general; and (3) an ability to
articulate responses to the theological challenges posed by suffering, and to
reflect on the lessons that Job affords for ministry to a suffering
world.
COURSE FORMAT:
- This course will meet twice weekly, two hours per session. One
session will be devoted to general and introductory issues; the other will be
spent reading the Hebrew text.
REQUIRED READING:
- Janzen, J. Gerald. Job. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary
for Teaching and Preaching. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1985.
- Each student will be asked to select one of the major
commentaries listed in the class reading list, preferably Dhorme, Good, Gordis,
Habel, Hartely, or Rowley, and to be prepared to contribute to class discussion
information about that author's treatment of the issue or passage being studied
in that session.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- In addition to commentaries apart from the one selected for
concentrated study, background reading in ancient Near Eastern, classical
Jewish and Christian essays, and modern literature from the Bibliography
that will be supplied at the beginning of the quarter.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Weekly preparation of chosen passages for translation and exegetical
discussion.
- An exegetical paper (12-15 pp.) on a passage of suitable size not chosen
for work in class.
- An essay (15-20 pp.) on the book of Job in relation to one of the
following areas of Job studies:
- A. Job as against the background of ancient Near
Eastern theodicy literature.
- B. Job in relation to the entire corpus of biblical wisdom literature.
- C. Job in relation to philosophical treatments of the problem of evil.
- D. Does the vast range of different readings of the book of Job mean that
it has no available meaning?
PREREQUISITES:
- LG502. PLEASE NOTE: OT 528 and OT 570 are different versions (core
and elective) of the same course, meeting together one day and separately the
other days. Only one of the two classes may be taken.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M. Div. core requirement in Old Testament "C" (OTCE).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- No.