Intent of the Course:
The course is designed to give students an opportunity to trace some of the most significant theological and ethical teachings of the Old and New Testaments and the Qur’an. Biblical and Qur’anic doctrines of covenant and prophecy, repentance and forgiveness, love and justice will be analyzed to illustrate how these scriptures have expressed the relationship between human and divine, and the ethical responsibilities of humans to one another.
Attention will be given to the definition of scripture, its function in worship life, the use of scripture in its oral as well as its written form, and methods of scriptural interpretation.
Readings:
Students are expected to bring to each class session a version of the Bible (Old and New Testaments) or the Qur’an, depending on the session. The New Revised Standard Version Harper Collins Study Bible (paper) and the Majid Fakhry translation (interpretation) of the Qur’an (paper) are available in the Seminary Bookstore and are recommended, although other versions are generally acceptable.
Additional weekly readings will be made available on-line and on library reserve.
Assignments:
Each student taking the course for credit will be responsible for:
- Reading and discussing in class the weekly assigned materials.
- Participating in general class discussions.
- Providing at the end of the 5th, 8th and 11th weeks a brief (2-3 pages) response to the readings and presentations on the scriptural text most recently considered.
- Writing a 10-12 page essay on one of a list of topics to be distributed.
Class Structure:
September 13 Introduction to the Course
September 20 What is Scripture?
Reading:
- Peter Gomes, The Good Book, pp. 3-52.
- John Esposito, “Qur’an,” in The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World, pp. 385-400.
September 27 Old Testament Themes I
Reading:
- “Ancient Texts & Versions of the Old Testament”, New Interpreter’s Bible I, pp. 292-304.
- “Modern English Versions of the Bible,” New Interpreter’s Bible I, pp. 22-32.
October 4 Old Testament Themes II
Reading:
- “Introduction to the History of Ancient Israel,” New Interpreter’s Bible I, pp. 244-71.
- “Introduction to the Pentateuch,” New Interpreter’s Bible I, pp. 305-318.
October 11 I. Scripture from the Jewish Perspective
II. Who was Hagar?
Reading: [Each student will be assigned one of the following, all from Phillis Trible and Letty M. Russell, eds., Hagar, Sarah and Their Children. Jewish, Christian and Muslim Perspectives. John Knox, 2006]
- Phillis Trible, “Ominous Beginnings for a Promise of Blessing,” pp. 33-62
- Letty M. Russell, “Twists and Turns in Paul’s Allegory,” pp. 71-92
- Riffat Hassan, “Islamic Hagar and Her Family,” pp. 149-164
First short essay due
October 18 NO CLASS [Note: use this time to read ahead!]
October 25 New Testament Themes I
Reading:
Gerd Theissen, Fortress Introduction to the New Testament, pp. 1-13.
Martin Copenhaver, To Begin at the Beginning, pp. 3-80.
November 1 New Testament Themes II
Reading:
- D.T. Niles, The Preacher’s Task and he Stone of Stumbling, chaps. 1-3
November 8 Preaching the Bible and Reciting the Qur’an
Reading:
a. [to be determined]
b. Michael Sells, Approaching the Qur’an, pp. 1-28
Second short essay due
November 15 Qur’an Themes I
Reading:
a. Sohaib Sultan, The Qur’an for Dummies, pp. 2-77
b. Fazlur Rahman, Major Themes of the Qur’an, pp. 1-16
November 22 READING WEEK
November 29 Qur’an Themes II
Reading:
- Fazlur Rahman, Major Themes of the Qur’an, pp. 80-105
- Wilfred Cantwell Smith, “Is the Qur’an the Word of God?” in Questions of Religious Truth, pp. 39-62.
Third short essay due
December 6 Feminist “Re-Readings” of Scripture [each student will be assigned one of the following]
Reading:
- Carolyn Osiek, “Reading the Bible as Woman,” The New Interpreter’s Bible I, pp. 181-187.
- Elizabeth Fiorenza, “Neither Male Nor Female: Galatians 3:28 – Alternative Vision and Pauline Modification,” in In Memory of Her, pp. 205-236.
- Amina Wadud, “Alternative Qur’anic Interpretation and the Status of Muslim Women,” in Gisela Webb, ed., Windows of Faith, pp. 3-21
December 13 Conclusion [presentation of essay topics]
