Course Objectives
1. Through this course students will become more familiar with the content of the Torah/Pentateuch (Genesis–Deuteronomy) and the Former Prophets (Joshua – Kings).
2. Students will have greater understanding of the historical and socio–political context in which the Hebrew Bible emerged.
3. To engage various methods of interpretation in biblical studies and various communities around the world.
Requirements & Grades:
1. Students are expected to attend all class sessions and to participate actively in class (10% toward the final grade).
2. Exegesis paper 1, three pages in length, double spaced, is due October 11 (25%).
3. Exegesis paper 2, three pages in length, double spaced, is due November 8 (25%).
4. Exegesis paper 3, six pages in length, double spaced, is due December 13 (40%). Or, students may choose to write a sermon or a reflection paper (six pages, double spaced) based on their critical engagement with biblical text, biblical scholarship, and their own socio-cultural context (due December 13, 40%).
Required Books (Available for Purchase at the Seminary Bookstore)
• John J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004)
• Victor H. Matthews and Doc C. Benjamin, Old Testament Parallels (Paulist Press, 2007)
• Steven L. McKenzie and Stephen R. Haynes, eds., To Each Its Own Meaning (Revised and Expanded; Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1999)
• Gale Yee, ed., Judges and Method (Second Edition; Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007)
Class Schedule
1. September 13 Introductions
Reading Assignments
• Collins, Introduction, 1—46
2. September 20 The Primeval History
Reading Assignments
• Genesis 1–11
• Collins, Introduction, 47–82
• McKenzie and Haynes, 17 – 34
• Old Testament Parallels, 11 – 42
3. September 27 Stories of the Ancestors of Ancient Israel
Reading Assignments
• Genesis 12–50
• Collins, Introduction, 83–105
• McKenzie and Haynes, 35 – 57
• Old Testament Parallels, 47 – 79
4. October 4 Moses and the Exodus
Reading Assignments
• Exodus
• Collins, Introduction, 107–137
• McKenzie and Haynes, 90 – 104
• Old Testament Parallels, 89 – 98
5. October 11 The Priestly Writings
Due: Exegesis Paper #1
Reading Assignments
• Leviticus and Numbers
• Collins, Introduction, 139–158
6. October 18 Deuteronomy
Reading Assignments
• Deuteronomy
• Collins, Introduction, 159–179
• Old Testament Parallels, 101 – 133
7. October 25 Joshua and the Conquest
Reading Assignments
• Joshua
• Collins, Introduction, 183–202
• Yee, Judges and Method
• Old Testament Parallels, 146 – 156
8. November 1 Judges and the Settlement
Reading Assignments
• Judges
• Collins, Introduction, 203–215.
• Yee, Judges and Method
9. November 8 The Rise of the House of David
Due: Exegesis Paper #2
Reading Assignments
• I Samuel 1—II Samuel 5
• Collins, Introduction, 217–44
• Old Testament Parallels, 165 – 175
10. November 15 The Succession Narrative
Reading Assignments
• II Samuel 6—1 Kings 1
• J. Cheryl Exum, Plotted, Shot, and Painted, 19–53
• Uriah Y. Kim, “The Politics of Identity and Loyalty in the David Story” [handout]
11. November 22 Reading Week
12. November 29 Solomon and the Divided Kingdom
Reading Assignments
• I Kings 1 – 16
• Collins, Introduction, 245–60
13. December 6 The Fall of Samaria
Reading Assignments
• I Kings 17 – 2 Kings 17
• Collins, Introduction, 261–79
• Old Testament Parallels, 176 – 194
14. December 13 The Fall of Jerusalem
Due: Exegesis Paper #3 or Reflection Paper/Sermon
Reading Assignments
• II Kings 18—25
• Old Testament Parallels, 195 – 203
