Old Testament Historical Books
Course Syllabus
Summer, 2002, Night Dr. Chuck Pitts
Phone 713-942-9505
Email capitts@hgst.edu
Studies in Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings (the “Former Prophets”) with a view to understanding these books as wholes as well as in various parts and kinds of content. Attention is given to exegetical methods, historical and literary context, and to appropriate interpretation and application.
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Outline and describe the basic flow of the historical narratives contained in the biblical texts.
2. Evaluate critical and historiographical questions and difficulties, utilizing Old Testament scholarship and sound exegetical methods, with the goal of understanding and explaining the theological, philosophical, and historical foundations of ancient Israel.
3. Identify, analyze and summarize the impact of the major characters in ancient Israelite history, including prophetic preaching and activity, political maneuvering, and ethical or religious decisions that involved those characters.
4. Explain the historical, cultural, and religious background of Palestine and the Ancient Near East as it illuminates and expands the student’s understanding of the events recorded in the historical books.
5. Investigate and describe the central theological teachings of the historical books, as well as related and applicable texts from Chronicles, Psalms, and the prophets, and apply them to the modern world.
1. Daily Reading
Assignments
Read passages from Victor Hamilton, Handbook on the Historical Books, King and Stager, Life in Biblical Israel, Dr. Pitts’ class notes, and the biblical text as assigned in the enclosed class schedule. Reading will be assessed by a question on the final exam.
2. Participation
a. Attendance is expected. Absence from more that 2-3 hours of class will affect your participation grade. Please notify the professor when absence is necessary, especially when assignments are due.
b. Class discussion based upon daily reading is expected. Come to class prepared to take part in discussion.
3. Writing
Project-- Due no later than Tuesday, July 16. All writing assignments
should conform to Kate Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers,
Theses, and Dissertations, 6th Edition.
A. OPTION 1: Essay
The student should select one of the primary biblical books covered in the course (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings). From this book the student will write a 5-10 page essay. The student may choose one of two areas of discussion for the essay.
(1) The essay should discuss the student’s understanding of the most important theological teaching(s) of the book. These might include prophecy, covenant(s), idolatry, justice, kingship, land issues, promise/fulfillment, “rest,” gender issues, Jerusalem/temple, faithfulness/unfaithfulness, or judgment, among others.
(2) The essay should investigate a major historical, social, or cultural issue(s) in the book. These might include the nature of the conquest or other battles, cultural contacts between peoples, religious syncretism, worship practices, social structures, governmental organization, personal relationships, or historical accuracy, among others.
This is not a full-blown research
paper, but the project should show basic research from historical, theological,
and/or exegetical works.
B. OPTION 2: Book Review
The student will read one of the following books a write a critical book review. The review should include biographical information on the author, a summary of the book, and a critical evaluation of the book. The evaluations should analyze the success of the author in attaining his or her purpose in writing the book, as well as the helpfulness of the book for understanding the Bible and for ministry in the church.
Finkelstein, Israel, and Neil A. Silberman. The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts. New York: Free Press, 2001. This is one of the latest and most in-depth defenses of the “Minimalist” argument concerning the historical traditions of the Old Testament. These scholars argue that the kingdom of David and Solomon did not exist, at least not in any way like the biblical books describe it.
Dever, William. What Did the Biblical Writers Know and When Did They Know It?: What Archaeology Can Tell Us about the Reality of Ancient Israel. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001. This is a scholarly rebuttal of Finkelstein’s (& other’s) work. He presents the evidence for the earliest historical traditions in the Old Testament.
Ackerman, Susan. Warrior, Dancer, Seductress, Queen: Women in Judges and Biblical Israel. Anchor Bible Reference Library. New York: Doubleday, 1998. This book is a feminist look at the role of women in the historical books.
è The student should note the following guidelines for critical writing:
--Avoid 1st or 2nd person references (“I,” “we,” or “you”).
--Avoid contractions.
--Avoid passive voice construction (i.e. The student should write “God chose Joshua” rather than “Joshua was chosen by God.”).
--Be sure that tenses always agree (i.e. Do not write in one place that “King argues . . .” and at another place “King argued . . .”).
--Be sure to number pages.
4. Examinations
The student will take one examination as scheduled in the Course Outline. The Final Examination (the second exam of the course) will be in a take home format. This exam is due no later than 1 week after the completion of the course, Monday, July 9, 2002. Extra credit (5 points) will be given if the exam is turned in on the last day of class, Tuesday, July 2, 2002.
Any work that is not turned in at the designated time will be subject to reduction of grade. Typically the policy is: up to a week late the grade will be reduced by one letter grade and after a week the assignment will not be accepted without prior authorization from the professor.
2. Cell Phones
Please place all pagers and cell phones on vibrate or off. They are very distractive to the class. If an extenuating circumstance requires you to leave your phone turned on , please notify the professor at the beginning of the course.
1. Participation—A balance of attendance, class participation and daily reading. 10%
2. Writing Project 30%
3. Classroom Examination 30%
4. Take Home Final Exam 30%
A = 94-100%
B = 86-93%
C = 78-85%
D = 70-77%
The Bible, preferably in a modern translation (NIV, NASB, NRSV, NKJV, JPS)
Victor P. Hamilton. Handbook on the Historical Books. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001.
Philip J. King and Lawrence E. Stager. Life in Biblical Israel. Library of Ancient Israel, Douglas A. Knight, ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.
Chuck Pitts. Class Notes: Old Testament Historical Books. Online at http://users.ev1.net/~cpitts.
Course Outline
Reading Assignments are underlined
June 4 Introduction
to Course
History
and Historiographical Issues
Pitts,
Introduction Notes
King/Stager,
pp. 1-9
June 6 Joshua
1-24
Hamilton,
15-95
Pitts, Joshua Notes
June 11 Judges 1-21
Hamilton,
97-185, King/Stager 8-19
Pitts,
Judges Notes
June 13 Exam #1
Ruth
1-4
Hamilton,
187-209, King/Stager 36-61
1
Samuel 1-7
Hamilton,
211-229
Pitts, Ruth Notes
June 18 1 Samuel 8-31
Hamilton,
229-295, King/Stager 319-363
Pitts, 1 Samuel Notes
June 20 2 Samuel 1-24
Hamilton,
297-377, King/Stager 201-223, 285-300
Pitts,
2 Samuel Notes
June 25 1 Kings 1-16:20, 1 Chronicles 29,
2 Chronicles 12, 15:1-15
Hamilton,
379-425, King/Stager 176-200, 259-285
Pitts, 1 Kings Notes
June 27 1 Kings 16:21-2 Kings 25; 2
Chronicles 17; 19-20; 26; 29-31; 33:11-20
Hamilton,
425-475, King/Stager 223-258
Pitts,
2 Kings Notes
July 2 Chronicles (less
previously assigned passages), Ezra, Nehemiah
Hamilton,
477-528