COURSE DESCRIPTION

A study of the history and literature of the Old Testament with attention to the content of the whole, representative passages throughout, and to exegetical methods and problems of interpretation with some emphasis upon both understanding and evaluating various critical approaches.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the semester, the student should be able to:

Describe the development of the Old Testament canon, as a whole and in its constituent elements, including the differences between various canons of the Old Testament;
Explain the origin of the various Old Testament books, understanding the difference between the concepts of authorship and composition;
Trace the history of ancient Israel as the covenant people of God, called, chosen, and disciplined by Him in the course of their history; and
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the themes and teachings of the various books of the Old Testament, including the development of Old Testament theology from the patriarchal age into the post-exilic era.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Attendance and class participation based on daily assignments (see policies below).

2. Readings from Walter Brueggemann, Introduction to the Old Testament (IOT) and Rogerson, et al, Beginning Old Testament Study (BOTS), and the Old Testament, as assigned in the schedule below. Reading assignments will be assessed by means of a question on the final exam. Because this is a four hour course, the reading assignments are heavy. The student will not want to fall behind.

3. Daily Quizzes over reading assignments. Review for quizzes is below. The answers to the quiz questions will come from the assigned textbook readings for that day. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of the class period. Make-ups will not be given for tardies. One quiz grade may be dropped.

4. Exams—Two exams will be administered as listed in the Course Schedule below. Reviews for the two sectional exams are located at the end of this syllabus. The final exam will be a take-home exam over the Writings. The take-home final is also included in this syllabus.

GRADING SYSTEM

Final grades will be calculating according to the following system.

Class Participation and Daily Reading 10%

Daily Quizzes 15%

Three Exams 25% each

POLICIES

1. Attendance is required at scheduled classes, and at the scheduled start time. Two excused absences will not affect the student’s grade, but more than this will affect the student’s class participation grade. The instructor will keep attendance, including tardies. Excessive tardiness will also affect the student’s grade. Three tardies will approximate one absence. The student could lose as much as a letter grade for excessive tardiness and absences.

2. Work is expected on the due date. With prior permission from the instructor, late work will receive a letter grade reduction until it is one week late and a two-letter grade reduction when it is two weeks late. After two weeks, the assignment will not be accepted and a zero will be entered as the grade for the assignment.

3. Cell phones and pagers are distractions to class and should be avoided. The student should turn pagers and cell phones off, or to vibrate.

4. Incompletes:

In cases of extenuating circumstance, and at the discretion of the Instructor, a student may request and apply for an extension on all required assignments that are not completed before the end of the semester or term, subject to a half-letter grade or more reduction on the final grade (e.g., A to A-; B to B-). If an extension is granted, the instructor will record a grade of “I” (Incomplete) and set an extension of time within which to complete the work that shall not exceed thirty (30) calendar days from the end of the term. The student is responsible to ensure that all necessary paperwork is submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the deadline listed in the school calendar.

Additional extensions may be granted only by the Dean of the Faculty and only after a student has petitioned the Dean in writing. If the course work is not completed within the extended time allotment, the grade of “I” will be converted to the grade earned by the student up to that point. A failing grade, or “F,” will be counted as hours attempted in computing the grade point average.

5. Plagiarism - Plagiarism in any form is not acceptable and severe penalties will be applied to any student who chooses to do so.

a. Plagiarism is defined as representing the work (written, thought, or conclusion) of another as your own. Any phrase longer than three words obtained from the work of another must be attributed to its original author. Please use proper citations and credit the original author when necessary. Internet plagiarism is rampant in some schools. As a seminary, HGST holds its students to the highest standard and expects them to avoid temptation. Please do not “Cut and Paste” portions of documents from the Internet into your paper without proper citation. Papers will be checked online for plagiarism.

b. If a portion of a paper is plagiarized from the work of another the student will receive a grade of zero (F) for the paper or assignment. A penalty of one (1) letter grade on the semester grade will be assessed along with a conference with the professor. Blatant plagiarism of large portions a paper/ assignment, or a second offence of plagiarism will result in failing the course and a conference with the Dean of the Faculty to determine if dismissal from HGST is warranted.

GRADING SCALE

The following grading system will be used for this class, remembering that and “A” is a superior grade, a “B” an above average grade, and a “C” is quality, satisfactory work.

A = 94-100% C = 78-85%

B = 86-93% D = 70-77%

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

Old Testament, preferably in a modern translation (NASB, NIV, NRSV, ESV, NLT, JPS).

Brueggemann, Walter. Introduction to the Old Testament. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003. (IOT) ISBN 0664224121.

Rogerson, John, et al. Beginning Old Testament Study. Second Edition. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 1998. ISBN 082720227X (BOTS)

Pitts, Chuck. “Old Testament Introduction Study Notes.” Available at:

http://www.hgst.edu/Faculty_Staff_Pictures/Pitts/website/OT%20Intro%20Lecture%20Notes.htm.

COURSE SCHEDULE

The course schedule includes dates for the Wednesday morning and Thursday evening classes, so the student will need to pay close attention to the appropriate dates. The reading assigned for a date is the assignment for that day. Students should have that material read before attending class each day. Quizzes will be administered to assess daily reading. Terms, people, or places to know for quizzes are included in the syllabus.

Thurs./Wed.

Aug. 23/29 Class Introduction

Canon, Formation of the OT, Chronology

Aug. 30/Sept. 5

Methodology, History, World-view IOT, Intro.; BOTS, ch. 1-4

Sept. 6/12 OT Theology, OT and NT BOTS, ch. 5-9

Sept. 13/19 Pentateuch, Primeval Prologue IOT, ch. 1-2; Genesis 1-11

Patriarchal History/Exodus IOT, ch. 3-4; Genesis 12-50; Exodus

Sept. 20/26 Leviticus/Numbers/Deuteronomy IOT, ch. 5-8; Leviticus; Numbers; Deuteronomy

Sept. 27/Oct. 3

Former Prophets/Joshua IOT, ch. 9-12; Josh.; Judges; 1 Sam. 1-2 Sam. 5:10

Judges/Birth of the Monarchy

Oct. 4/10 Exam 1—Introduction and Pentateuch-Judges

Israel’s “Golden Age” 2 Sam. 5:11-1 Kings 11

Oct. 11/17 Divided Monarchy/Judah Alone IOT, ch. 13; 1 Kings 12-2 Kings

Prophets & Prophecy/Poetry/Isaiah IOT, ch. 14; Isaiah

Oct. 18/24 Jeremiah; Ezekiel IOT, ch. 15-16; Jeremiah; Ezekiel

Oct. 25/31 Hosea/Amos/Micah IOT, ch. 17; Amos; Hosea; Micah

Obadiah/Joel/Jonah Obadiah; Joel; Jonah

Nov. 1/7 Zephaniah/Nahum/Habakkuk IOT, ch. 18-19; Zephaniah; Nahum; Habakkuk

Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi

Nov. 8/14 Writings/Psalms/Wisdom/Proverbs/Job IOT, ch. 20-23; Psalm; Proverbs; Job

Nov. 15/21 Exam #2—The Prophets

Nov. 22 No Class—Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov. 29/28 Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs/Ruth IOT, ch. 24-25; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs;Ruth

Lamentations/Esther/Daniel Lamentations; Esther; Daniel

Dec. 6/5 Ezra-Nehemiah/Chronicler IOT, ch. 26-29; Ezra; Neh.; 1-2 Chron

Dec. 13/12 Take Home Final Exam Due/Final Discussions.

Quiz Review

The student should be able to identify the term, person, or date below on the date assigned.

Aug. 30/Sept. 5

Origen Julius Wellhausen Purpose of sacrifice

Jerome JEDP Magico-religious ceremonies

Augustine Exegesis History of Israel and Biblical History

Martin Luther Textual Criticism Canon

John Calvin Form Criticism traditioning process

1750 Redaction Criticism inspiration (acc. to Brueggemann)

Boundaries

Sept. 6/12

Corporate Personality heilsgeschichte “Torah”

Individualism Greek vs. Hebrew thought Marcion

“Winding quest” Brevard Childs Allegory and OT

Walter Eichrodt Ethics and diversity Fundamentalism and OT

Gerhard von Rad Ethics and “proof texts”

Biblical Theo. Movement Ethics and “general drift”

Sept. 13/19

“Kinship” Serpent Feminists and Hagar

“Narratives of contradiction” The “fall” Exodus as “center”

Myth Abraham and Paul Presence and Absence

Tohu wabohu Abraham and Jews Covenant

Sept. 20/26

Holiness Blessing and shalom Shema‘

Sacrifice as grace Joshua and Caleb Josiah

Yom Kippur “Pollution and Defilement” Deuteronomists

Holiness and Justice “Earth” to “land” Deuteronomic History

Sept. 27/Oct. 3

“Monotheizing tendency” Hexateuch Samson & Delilah

Conquest as onslaught herem Samuel

Conquest as infiltration Song of Deborah Ark of the Covenant

Conquest as internal struggle Gideon “Succession Narrative”

Oct. 11/17

Martin Noth “Folk legends” “First, Second, Third Isaiah”

Hans W. Wolff Hezekiah Ahaz & Hezekiah (in Isaiah)

Gerhard von Rad Manasseh Doctrinal/Historical meanings

Prophets (role/importance) Josiah “Zion Theology”

561 B.C.E. “Servant Song”

Oct. 18/24

Ephraimite tradition Shaphan “Valley of Dry Bones”

Anathoth Baruch Gog and Magog

Temple Sermon “Crisis of presence” Temple

“New Covenant” “New heart”

Oct. 25/Oct. 31

“Prophetic lawsuits” “Ethical monotheism” “Big fish”

“Fertility God” “Natural law” Nineveh

“Day of the Lord” “Justice and righteousness” Bethlehem

Joel 2 & Acts 2 Edom (& Obadiah) Micah 6:8 & prophetic ethics

Nov. 1/7

“metahistory” Darius “First” & “Second Zechariah”

“Vengeance Zerubbabel Elijah

Theodicy “realized eschatology” Land gift, land loss, & the future

Cyrus “futuristic eschatology” “Day of Yahweh”

Nov. 8/14

Superscriptions of Psalms “Obedience & suffering” “Wisdom theology”

Christology and Psalms Job’s integrity “Creation theology”

Hermann Gunkel “dust and ashes” “Strange Woman”

“Cry-hear-thank” Amen-em-opet “Woman Wisdom”

Nov. 29/28

Ruth as a Moabite Song of Songs as human/divine love

Ruth as a woman “yes, but” Antiochus IV

Ruth and the Canon “power of newness” “Son of man”

agape and eros God in the Book of Esther Resurrection of the dead

Dec. 6/5 No quiz—Final Exam due!

Old Testament Introduction

Review—Exam #1

Old Testament Introduction

Review—Exam 2

I. Identification (Who was he/she? What did he/she do? Why is he/she important? What happened?)

734-732—Syro-Ephraimite War

722-721—Fall of Samaria

701—Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah & Jerusalem

597—First defeat of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar

587-586—Destruction of Jerusalem/Exile to Babylon

Absalom

Adonijah

Bathsheba

Rehoboam

Jeroboam

Omri

Ahab

Jezebel

Elijah

Hezekiah

Ahaz

Josiah

Nebuchadnezzar

Mosaic Covenant

Davidic Covenant

Be able to place all of the latter prophets (Isaiah-Malachi) in their historical context, which might include date & circumstances. Also know the basic purpose or theme of each latter prophet.

II. Short Answer

--Theological Themes:

--“Prophecy” & the roles of prophets in Samuel and Kings

--Fall of Saul (The reasons for his fall)

III. Discussion

--Locate and briefly (1-2 sentences each) describe at least 5 prophetic passages that speak to each of the following theological themes:

--False worship

--The LORD’s sovereignty

--Justice & Righteousness

--Messiah or Messianic hope

OT 501 Old Testament Introduction

Fall 2006 Final Exam—Take Home

--I have read % of the required reading for this course.

1. Discuss five types, or forms, of psalms (i.e. Thanksgiving Hymn), giving a brief description of each type. Provide an example for each type and briefly describe how the example fits the type of psalm. (10 pts.)

2. Describe Brueggemann’s rubric of “Orientation, Disorientation, and Reorientation” for understanding the Book of Psalms. Give brief examples of each. (10 pts.)

3. Describe the worldview of Wisdom Literature. How does this worldview compare with the worldview of biblical prophecy and the Deuteronomistic history? (10 pts.)

4. Discuss two themes of Wisdom Literature and illustrate each theme briefly from a Wisdom Literature Book (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes). (4 pts.)

5. What relationship do the Book of Job and Ecclesiastes have with the traditional worldview of Wisdom Literature? (5 pts.)

6. What are the five Megillot and in what Jewish festival is each used? (5 pts.)

7. What are three ways in which the Song of Songs has been interpreted? How has the Song of Songs been interpreted as an allegory, and why has allegorical interpretation been applied so often to this book? (10 pts.)

8. What is the historical setting of the Book of Lamentations, and who wrote the book? (3 pts.)

9. How does the Book of Esther teach Providence, or God’s Sovereignty? (3 pts.)

10. Briefly describe the background and ministries of Ezra and Nehemiah. (5 pts.)

11. Compare the Books of Chronicles and the Books of Kings, especially noting Brueggemann’s comparisons of the two historical presentations. Give some specific examples of the differences between the two presentations. (10 pts.)

12. Describe Brueggemann’s comparison of Joshua and Josiah in the Deuteronomistic History. (5 pts.)

13. Discuss Tarr’s theory of the Books of Chronicles as a drama or opera, as described by Brueggemann. Give your personal thoughts on the theory. (5 pts.)

14. Discuss the difference between the ending of the Hebrew Bible canon and the Christian Old Testament canon, utilizing Brueggemann’s discussion. Do you agree with Brueggemann’s analysis of the theological importance of these different endings? Why, or why not? (10 pts.)

OT 501--Old Testament Introduction

Bibliography

Old Testament Introductions[1]

Anderson, Bernhard, and Katheryn Darr. Understanding the Old Testament. Abridged and updated. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998; Abridged 5th ed., 2007.

Archer, Jr., Gleason. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Revised edition. Moody, 1994. A conservative, occasionally polemical, always detailed and informative introduction.

Arnold, Bill T. and Bryan E. Beyer. Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999. Evangelical undergraduate survey with excellent photos, maps, charts, sidebars, and a CD with lots more photos. Helpful outlines of books and reviews of the most important ideas and term.

Birch, Bruce, Walter Brueggemann, Terence Fretheim, and D. Peterson. A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. Nashville: Abingdon, 1999.

Brueggemann, Walter. An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Canon and Christian Imagination. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003.

Ceresko, Anthony. Introduction to the Old Testament: A Liberation Perspective. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1992.

Childs, B.S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Fortress, 1979. A canonical approach to the text and books.

Coogan, Michael D. The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

Dell, Katharine. Opening the Old Testament: An Introductory Handbook. Malden, MA : Blackwell Pub., 2008.

Dillard, Raymond and Tremper Longman III. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Zondervan, 1994. A helpful up-to-date Evangelical contribution. Longman finished the project after the death of Dillard.

Eissfeldt, O. The Old Testament: An Introduction. trans. P.R. Ackroyd. Harper and Row, 1965. The classic liberal Protestant introduction.

Gottwald, Norman. The Hebrew Bible: A Socio-literary Introduction. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985.

Harris, Stephen, and Robert L. Platzner. The Old Testament: An Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008.

Harrison, R. K. An Old Testament Introduction. Eerdmans, 1979. Comprehensive Evangelical discussion of introductory issues for its time.

Humphreys, W. Lee. Crisis and Story: An Introduction to the Old Testament. 2d ed. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing, 1990.

LaSor, W. S., D. A. Hubbard, and F. W. Bush. Old Testament Survey. Eerdmans, 1982. Second edition, 1996. A reasonably up-to-date introduction from a balanced Evangelical perspective.

Longman, Tremper, III, and Raymond B. Dillard. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.

Matthews, Victor, and James Moyer. The Old Testament: Text and Context. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1997.

Soggin, J. Alberto. Introduction to the Old Testament. OTL. Westminster, 1989. The current standard in place of Eissfeldt; weak on literary approaches.

Other Introductory Studies

Baker, David W. and Bill T. Arnold eds., The Face of Old Testament Studies: A Survey of Contemporary Approaches. Baker, 1999. The most important work surveying the academic field of Old Testament studies, written and edited by Evangelicals.

Broyles, Craig C. ed. Interpreting the Old Testament. A Guide for Exegesis. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001. Evangelical scholars discuss methods of Old Testament exegesis and criticism for interpreting the text.

Enns, Peter. Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005.

Esler, Philip, ed. Ancient Israel: The Old Testament in Its Social Context. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006.

Rogerson, John, et al. Beginning Old Testament Study. Second Edition. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 1998.

Old Testament Theology

Anderson, Bernard W. Contours of Old Testament Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999. Themes of the holiness of God, covenants, torah/wisdom, and prophecy/apocalyptic are interwoven in this synthesis by an influential scholar.

Barr, James. The Concept of Biblical Theology: An Old Testament Perspective. London: SCM, 1999. The most important survey of Old Testament theologies at the end of the twentieth century, if not always one that everyone will agree with.

Brueggemann, Walter. Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy. Fortress, 1997. A provocative approach that structures the discussion around the metaphor and imagery of the courtroom.

Childs, Brevard S. Old Testament Theology in a Canonical Context. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1986. Classic on canon with a sensitivity to the New Testament.

Eichrodt, W. Old Testament Theology. 2 vols. Old Testament Library. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1961-67. Emphasis on the covenant. Along with von Rad, the giant in the field in the twentieth century.

Goldingay, John. Old Testament Theology. Volume One. Israel's Gospel. Downers Grove, IL InterVarsity, 2003; Volume Two. Israel's Faith. Evangelical and readable survey of the theological message of the narrative books of the Old Testament.

Hasel, Gerhard Old Testament Theology: Basic Issues in the Current Debate. Eerdmans, 1995. Fourth edition. Detailed survey of authors and issues.

House, Paul R. Old Testament Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1998. A work that outlines God's nature and acts in each book of the Old Testament. A narrative approach designed for college and seminary students.

Kaiser, W.C., Jr. Toward an Old Testament Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978. Evangelical. Emphasis on promise themes.

Martens, Elmer A. ed. Old Testament Theology. Bibliographies No. 13. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997. A helpful survey of more than five hundred of the most important works, listed by subject.

Ollenburger, Ben C., Elmer A. Marten, and Gerhard F. Hasel, eds. The Flowering of Old Testament Theology. Sources for Biblical and Theological Study. Winona Lake, IL: Eisenbrauns, 1992. A collection of classic articles.

Preuss, H. D. Old Testament Theology. 2 vols. Old Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1995-6. Focus on Yahweh.

Sailhammer, John H. Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995. Evangelical. Structured study on how to do Old Testament theology.

Smith, Ralph L. Old Testament Theology: Its History, Method, and Message. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1993. Evangelical. A helpful source for summaries of debates and positions on a wide breadth of topics.

Terrien, S. The Elusive Presence: Toward a New Biblical Theology. New York: Harper and Row, 1978. Focus on the wisdom literature.

Von Rad, G. Old Testament Theology. 2 vols. New York: Harper and Row, 1962-65. Salvation history approach that tries to explain how Israelites did theology. Along with Eichrodt, the giant in the field in the twentieth century.

Zimmerli, Walther. Old Testament Theology in Outline. Atlanta: John Knox, 1978. Concise discussions with bibliographies by a capable critical scholar of an earlier generation. Yaheh is the central theme.

Zuck, Roy B., ed. A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody, 1991. Evangelical. Dallas seminary faculty contribute their perspectives on each major section of the Old Testament.

Commentaries

One Volume Commentaries (One volume commentaries can be helpful for general questions & quick reference, but they are not recommended for in-depth exegetical study.)

Bruce, F. F., ed. New International Bible Commentary, Based on the NIV. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1986. Evangelical & as scholarly as a one-volume can be.

Mays, James, ed. Harper’s Bible Commentary. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1988.

Murphy, R. E., R. E. Brown, and J. Fitzmyer, ed. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. New York: Prentice Hall, 1990. Often recommended, it is written by well-known Catholic scholars.

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson/Word.

Wenham, G. J. and D. A. Carson, ed. New Bible Commentary, 21^st Century Edition. Downers Grove, Ill.: Inter-varsity Press, 1994.

Commentary Series

Anchor Bible. Garden City, NY: Doubleday. These tend to be linguistic oriented with a great deal of historical and archaeological background. (Hebrew/Greek helps.)

The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-varsity Press. This is a practical commentary that seeks to interpret & apply the biblical text. It is also paperback and very affordable.

Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Augsburg/Fortress. Probably the most critical of the commentary sets readily available, but also includes perhaps the most up to date bibliography & critical/ historical issues. (Hebrew/Greek helps almost a must)

Interpretation. Philadelphia: Westminster/John Knox. This set is designed for the preacher and teacher by focusing upon interpretation and application, but it also attempts to deal with historical and critical issues.

New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman and Holman. This set is fairly detailed and critical but very conservative in nature. Technical discussions such as Hebrew translation are numerous, but they are placed in the footnotes rather than the text itself.

New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson. These are affordable volumes that include detailed section by section discussions, including both technical, interpretative, and practical issues.

New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. This set is critical but conservative, focusing upon interpreting the original text. (Hebrew/Greek helps.)

The New Interpreter’s Bible. Nashville: Abingdon. Recent critical, yet practical commentary set on the entire Bible.

Old Testament Library. Philadelphia: Westminster/John Knox. This is a critical commentary focusing upon literary issues & interpretation. The newer volumes are especially helpful for interpretative purposes. (Hebrew/Greek helps.)

Tyndale Old Testament Commentary. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-varsity Press. This set includes some older (1960 vintage) and some newer commentaries. Each volume is brief & affordable, offering a short technical discussion from a conservative viewpoint.

Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Nelson/Word. This is an depth scholarly commentary with detailed explanation of every passage, but also includes practical application & explanation. (Hebrew/Greek helps.)

Word Communicator’s Commentary. Dallas: Nelson/Word. This series is designed to help the teacher/preacher understand &apply the Bible in preaching, sometimes lacks scholarly preciseness & depth.

[1]Annotations from “Annotated Old Testament Bibliography,” Denver Journal 9 (2006), Available at http://www.denver seminary .edu/dj/articles2006/0100/0101#intros, accessed August 24, 2006.