Old Testament [OT]
OT0115 Law and Narrative
An overview of the Pentateuch (Genesis – Deuteronomy), the Deuteronomistic History (Joshua – 2 Kings), and other narrative texts, with attention to both legal material and narrative texts. Attention is paid to major theological themes, events, books, and figures. Attention is also paid to hermeneutical and exegetical issues regarding interpreting Old Testament law and Hebrew narrative. Texts are studied in order to equip students to interpret them for the sake of Christian life and ministry.
Full course
OT0120 Prophets and Poetry
An introduction to selected prophetic and poetic books. Attention is paid to major theological themes, texts, figures and genres of both the prophetic and poetic books. Attention is also paid to hermeneutical and exegetical issues regarding interpreting Hebrew poetry and prophecy. Texts are studied in order to equip students to interpret them for the sake of Christian life and ministry.
Prerequisite: LG0110 Biblical Hebrew (or LG4525 for M.Div. students who choose the Spanish for Ministry language option instead of Biblical Hebrew).
Full course
OT1120 The Book of Daniel
An exegetical, literary, and theological study of the book of Daniel, with specific attention given to interpreting the book for Christian ministry. Related Jewish and Christian texts will provide important background to the course.
Full course
OT1124 Sex, Gender, and the Old Testament
An exploration of ways men, women, masculinity, and femininity are portrayed and constructed in the Old Testament. Attention is given to literary characterization, social roles, metaphor, and understandings of sexuality in the biblical text and in the church today. The course also engages questions of scriptural authority and gendered portrayals of God.
Full course
OT1126 Bible and Empire
A study of the ways empire is portrayed in the Bible, as well as ways the Bible has been used in modern imperial projects. Particular attention is given to ancient Israel as both colonizer and colonized, to the Bible as a product of an imperial context, and to biblical notions of the kingdom of God. The course also engages a sampling of the history of interpretation of the Bible in the European colonialism of the fifteenth through nineteenth centuries.
Cultural Context
Full course
OT1130 Bible and Ecology
An examination of biblical texts that speak of creation and humanity’s place in it. Special attention is paid to the topic of human vocation vis-à-vis creation, especially in light of contemporary environmental issues.
Cultural Context
Full course
OT1140 The Book of Jeremiah: Theologizing Over Rubble
A study of the book of Jeremiah that highlights its function as a theological response to the trauma of exile. Issues related to Jeremiah’s historical and social dimensions along with its usefulness in the construction of Christian identity and vocation are given priority. Students read carefully and translate select texts from Jeremiah with an eye toward theological interpretation.
Prerequisite: LG0110 Biblical Hebrew for all MDiv and M.A.-Bible students
Cultural Context
Full course
OT1144 The Book of Job
An examination of the book of Job and the theological questions it raises. Special attention is paid to questions about suffering, the problem of evil, and the nature of divine justice. The book is also examined in light of Christian theology and pastoral practice. Brief consideration is given to the place of Job within the context of other biblical wisdom literature.
Prerequisite: LG0110 Biblical Hebrew for all M.Div. and M.A. - Bible students
Full course
OT1148 Work, Money and the Old Testament
An examination of the topic of “work” across the Hebrew Bible, comparing and contrasting it with ideas such as “toil” and “rest,” and considering its relationship to money, income, and value. Revisits traditional stewardship themes derived from the Old Testament, such as tithing, sabbath, and vocation, in light of current cultural and economic expectations around work. Course assignments involve exegetical analysis, self-reflection, and preparation for leading conversations in faith communities around biblical notions of labor and value.
Prerequisites: LG0110 Biblical Hebrew and OT0120 Prophets and Poetry
Full course
OT1150 Isaiah
A study of the book of Isaiah with emphasis on its theology, historical background, and usefulness in the construction of Christian identity and vocation. The course focuses on the careful reading of biblical texts and on the identification and interpretation of broader theological themes emphasized in Isaiah. The course gives particular attention to important political and sociological issues facing Judah, as well as to literary strategies for reading biblical poetry.
Prerequisite: LG0110 Biblical Hebrew for all M.Div. and M.A.-Bible students.
Full course
OT1160 Psalms
This course introduces students to the God of the Psalter and role of the psalms in the life of faith. Students are introduced to the interpretation of Hebrew poetry as well as the theological interpretation and analysis of the main types of psalms. Consideration is given to the use of psalms in Christian worship, preaching ministry, hymnody and spirituality.
Prerequisite: LG0110 Biblical Hebrew for all M.Div. and M.A. - Bible students
Full course
OT1162 Preaching the Old Testament Story
An examination of critical issues and practices related to preaching that addresses the broad narrative arc of the Old Testament. Topics covered include preaching and interpretation of narrative texts, hermeneutical challenges related to constructing an Old Testament narrative, exploration of alternative lectionaries and liturgies and the theological significance of the Old Testament as Christian scripture.
Prerequisites: PR0510 Foundations of Biblical Preaching; LG0110 Biblical Hebrew Fulfills Preaching elective
Full course
OT1176 Justice and Righteousness in the Old Testament
An exegetical and theological study of justice and righteousness in the Old Testament. Attention is given to the theological and social dimensions of justice and righteousness. Special attention to justice in the legal material of the Pentateuch and selected prophets, including Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah and Habakkuk. Limited attention given to justice in Israel's ancient Near Eastern context.
Cultural Context
Full course
OT3117 Five Scrolls
An examination of selected material from Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and/or Lamentations. Texts are studied with attention to their use in preaching, worship, and pastoral care.
Full course
OT4197 Guided Reading and Research in Old Testament
An independent study for qualified students under the personal supervision of a member of the division. Consult faculty within division.
OT6122 The Book of Daniel
This course is an exegetical, theological, and literary study of the book of Daniel. Questions related to gender analysis, history, post-colonialism, empire, and apocalypticism are also given priority. The course contains a biblical language component as well in that students will gain rudimentary competency in biblical Aramaic.
Full course
OT6124 Sex, Gender, and the Old Testament
An exploration of ways men, women, masculinity, and femininity are portrayed and constructed in the Old Testament. Attention is given to literary characterization, social roles, metaphor, and understandings of sexuality in the biblical text and in the church today. The course also engages questions of scriptural authority and gendered portrayals of God.
Full course
OT6198/8199 Guided Reading and Research in Old Testament
An independent study for students in Advanced Theological Education. Consult faculty within division and Advanced Theological Education Office.