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.

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 (3) an ability to articulate responses to the theological challenges posed by suffering, and to reflect on the lessons which Job affords for ministry to a suffering world.

This course will meet twice weekly, two hours per session.

English text of Job; Hebrew text of selected passages.

Brown, Francis, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs, eds. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1979.

Either Habel, N. C. The Book of Job. OTL. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1985.

OR Hartley, J. E. The Book of Job. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.

MacLeish, A. J. B. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1958.

Murphy, R. E. The Tree of Life. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

Assorted materials from the library reserve shelf.

Andersen, F. I. Job. (Tyndale OT). Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1976.

Gordis, Robert. The Book of God and Man: A Study of Job. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1965.

Gordis, Robert. The Book of Job: Commentary, New Translation and Special Studies. New York: Jewish Theological Seminary, 1978.

The requirements will fall into three areas:

1. Weekly preparation for translation and exegetical discussions.

2. The writing of an exegetical paper on a passage not designated for major attention in class (12-15 pages).

3. The use of lecture notes and syllabus readings to develop answers to study questions from which the final examination will be drawn

LG502.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Old Testament "c" (OTCE).

Yes.