Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College Masters Course BIBL 5503 Old Testament Poetical Books

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1 Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College Masters Course BIBL 5503 Old Testament Poetical Books Professor: President Timothy W. Eaton: M.Ed., M.Div., & Ph.D. Office: Barber Center Office Hours: By Appointment through Sherri Sloan (405) or Online through Scholar 360 Phone: Tim Eaton (405) (Office), (405) (Home) Course Description: The emphasis of the course is an introduction to Hebrew poetry. Study will be made of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes, focusing upon the central message of each book, highlighting their contribution to Old Testament theology. Form and function will be examined, seeking to expose meaning and significance for life and ministry. Course Materials: Required Texts: Donald K. Berry, An Introduction to Wisdom and Poetry of the Old Testament, Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, TN ISBN: Tremper Longman III, How to Read the Proverbs. Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL ISBN: Tremper Longman III, How to Read the Psalms. Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL ISBN: Holy Bible Please use one of the following non-paraphrased translations: ESV, KJV, NKJV, NASB, NIV, or other non-paraphrased translation of the Bible. Course Packet -- This will include the following: Articles from Coggins, R.J. and J.L. Houlden, eds. A Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation, Longman III, Tremper and Peter Enns, Eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings; and varied additional articles. Valuable additional book (out of print): Claus Westermann, Praise and Lament in the Psalms. John Knox Press, Atlanta, GA, 1981, ISBN: Course Goals and Objectives: 1. To understand the forms by which the ancient Hebrew people expressed themselves in praise and lament to God. 2. To gain a proper understanding of Hebrew genres respecting poetic and wisdom literature. 3. To consider patterns of thought through which God taught the Israelite people by the wisdom of sages, counselors, and scribes. 4. To see how God has declared the boundaries of His moral order by use of a dialogical and discursive methodology. 5. To recognize and evaluate various methods for interpreting the Psalms. 6. To gain understanding and mastery of the primary types of parallelism used by the Hebrew writers in their poetic writings. 7. To examine the uses of proverbial wisdom and how proverbs may be applied. Respectful Inquiry: Both students and the instructors will demonstrate respect with regard to all opinions expressed. 1

2 Course Content: I. WISDOM LITERATURE 1. Introduction to Hebrew Wisdom 2. Overview of Wisdom and Near Eastern Documents 3. History of Wisdom Interpretation 4. Wisdom of Proverbs 5. Wisdom of Job: God and the Moral Order 6. Wisdom of Ecclesiastes II. POETIC LITERATURE 1. Introduction to Poetry 2. Overview of Poetry and Ancient Near Eastern Poetic Documents 3. History of Interpretive Methods for Poetical Literature 4. Poetry Outside the Poetic Cannon 5. Poetry in the Psalms 6. God s Covenant Relationship with Israel 7. Categories of the Psalms: Praise and Lament 8. Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry III. TEACHING AND PREACHING POETIC AND WISDOM LITERATURE 1. Wisdom 2. Laments 3. Praise Learning Activities: Faculty and Video Lectures, Question and Answer, Chapter Outlines; Readings; Exegetical Exercises, Written Summaries Attendance Policy: At times things may be done (unannounced) that can either enhance or hurt your grade. Graded in-class tasks MAY NOT BE MADE UP. If you are absent, you are responsible for getting notes from another student. Course Requirements: 1. Berry Chapter Outlines: From each assigned chapter of An Introduction to Wisdom and Poetry of the Old Testament. 2. Reading Assignments: Each student should read all assignments as scheduled 3. Writing Assignments: a. Summaries (Worth 10 pts. each): Students will be responsible to write one page summaries over each and every reading from the Course Schedule (except for the Berry chapters that are outlined). DUE: at the beginning of the class for which they were assigned. Each paper should consist of: Student s name Identification of the Reading 1 inch margins 11 point Times New Roman Font 2

3 b. Brief Commentary on a Proverb section (Worth 100 pts.): Students will write a 4-6 page commentary on a Proverb section to be assigned on Session 2. This commentary will be Due: Session 5. The paper should consist of: Background Exposition Application Working Bibliography c. Commentary on Psalm 27, 102, or 142 (Worth 200 pts.): Students will write a page commentary on the assigned Psalm. This commentary will be DUE: Three weeks after the last session. The paper should consist of: Background Category Form and Structure Exposition Application Working Bibliography 4. Quizzes: Quizzes over readings will be done intermittently. FINAL GRADES WILL BE FIGURED ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCALE: A = 90% - 100% of the total final points possible B = 80% - 89% of the total final points possible C = 70% - 79% of the total final points possible D = 60% - 69% of the total final points possible F = BELOW 60% of the total final points possible Students with Disabilities: Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact the instructor personally, as soon as possible, to discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunities. Support Services: Study groups, tutorial times, academic intervention, referrals, computer helps, or mentors may be accessed with the help of your instructor, etc. SAVE YOUR WORK: SAVE A COPY OF ALL ASSIGNMENTS that you submit for grading. Neither the Hillsdale staff nor the instructors are responsible for lost assignments. Library Access: Contact the Hillsdale Library for information on how gain access via the internet and your request for access or call NOTE FOR DIRECTED STUDY: The professors reserve the option of assigning additional work and/or reading to the student, in order to fill any perceived gaps in knowledge or to enhance understanding in the area of world religions. 3

4 Academic Honesty: Honesty (integrity) is a core value of Hillsdale and is expected of students, faculty, and staff. All instances of Academic dishonesty will be reported to the Academic Dean for your program and result in failure for the assignment, course, or other disciplinary action. The most common instances of academic dishonesty are: Cheating: This includes copying another s work to present for grading as your own or allowing another student to copy your work. Plagiarism: Students must take care in using the ideas, research, and writings of others so as not to represent them as being original with the student. Some common errors are: failure to use quotation marks for source material, failure to make a thorough paraphrase of someone else s idea, and failure to properly cite the source of the information. Writing Guide for Students: The student should consult Dr. Eaton s Hillsdale College Webpage for help with academic writing and Turabian style or the University of Toronto site is highly recommended for students seeking general information about writing on a more academic level and effective style In addition to the instructions in the syllabus above all writing will be graded using the following guide: Format and Evaluation Guide For Writing Projects I. Format Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, All papers should conform to this guide. You may use endnotes or parenthetical footnotes. If you need help in writing style, please consult: The Elements of Style by Strunk, William and White, E.B. New York: MacMillan, II. Evaluation Content...60% Depth of research Quality of ideas Lucid presentation Interaction with sources Ability to compare and contrast views Format...20% Table of Contents Thesis Statement/Theme Introduction, Body, Conclusion Transitions and headings Bibliography Mechanics...20% Neatness Spelling Grammar and style Consistency of form 4

5 TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE The two How to Read text books by Longman will be distinguished as either Psalms or Proverbs. SESSION TOPIC/READINGS SCRIPTURE/AUTHOR(S) PAGES ONE Introduction through Chapter 4 Berry, Wisdom and Poetry pp Tuesday 6 PM Are Proverbs Always True? Longman, Proverbs pp April 14 Issues in OT Wisdom Cate pp TWO Chapter 6 Berry, Wisdom and Poetry pp Tuesday 6 PM Why Read Proverbs Longman, Proverbs pp April 21 What Exactly is a Proverb? Longman, Proverbs pp Proverbs in Conversation Longman, Proverbs pp Where Is God in Proverbs? Longman, Proverbs pp Proverbs, Chapters 1-31 Proverbs THREE Chapters 7-8 Berry, Wisdom and Poetry pp Tuesday 6 PM Job God and the Moral Order Blenkinsopp pp April 28 Ecclesiastes Coggins & Houlden pp Job, chapters 1-42 Job Ecclesiastes, chapters 1-12 Ecclesiastes FOUR Intro to Poetry & Chapter 9 Berry, Wisdom and Poetry pp Tuesday 6 PM Genres of the Psalms Longman, Psalms pp May 5 Declarative Psalm of Praise of the Westermann pp Individual Scripture Focus: Psalm 85 Pslams 1-40 Psalms FIVE Chapters Berry, Wisdom and Poetry pp Tuesday 6 PM The Psalms: The Heart of the OT Longman, Psalms pp May 12 Understanding Parallelism Longman, Psalms pp Descriptive Psalm of Praise Westermann pp Psalms Psalms SIX Chapters Berry, Wisdom and Poetry pp Tuesday 6 PM Old Testament Poetry Longman, Psalms pp May 19 Imagery Longman, Psalms pp Psalms Psalms SEVEN Wise Words, Follish Words Longman, Proverbs pp Tuesday 6 PM A Christian Reading of the Psalms Longman, Psalms pp May 26 Psalms Psalms 5

6 References NOTE: References provided are followed by either the (Library of Congress reference number) or [electronic] for NetLibrary E-Books that are available through Hillsdale s Geri Ann Hull Learning Resource Center. Allen, Charles Livingstone. The Twenty-Third Psalm. Westwood, N.J.: Revell, Allen, Ronald Barclay. Praise! A Matter of Life and Breath. Nashville, TN. Thomas Nelson, INC., The Majesty of Man: The Dignity of Being Human. Portland, OR.: Multnomah Press, Anderson, Bernhard W. Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak for Us Today. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, Anderson, Bernhard W. Understanding the Old Testament, 5 th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J. Pearson Prentice Hall, (BS1197.A63) Andersen, Francis I. Job: An Introduction and Commentary. London; Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Birman, Abraham. An Anthology of Modern Hebrew Poetry. London, New York: Abelard-Schuman, Berry, Donald K. An Introduction to Wisdom and Poetry of the Old Testament, Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, TN ISBN: Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Wisdom and Law in the Old Testament: The Ordering of Life in Israel and Early Judaism. Oxford, UK. Oxford University Press, Bright, John. The Authority of the Old Testament. Nashville, TN.: Abingdon Press, Bullock, C. Hassell. An Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books. Chicago, IL.: Moody Press, (BS B ) An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Wisdom and Songs of Israel. Chicago, IL. : Moody Press, (BS1405.2B84) Bruce, F.F. The Canon of Scripture. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, c1988. (BS465.B v. 1) Cate, Robert. An Introduction to the Old Testament and Its Study. Nashville, TN. Broadman Press, Coogan, Michael D. The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures. New York: Oxford University Press (BS1197.C56) Coggins, R.J. and J.L. Houlden, ed. A Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. London, UK. Trinity Press International, (REF BS500.D5) 6

7 Crenshaw, James L. Old Testament Wisdom: An Introduction. Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, Davis, John James. The Perfect Shepherd: Studies in the Twenty-Third Psalm. Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Book House, 1979 Eaton, J.H. Psalms: Introduction and Commentary. London: SCM Press Ltd., Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How To Read the Bible for All its Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible, 2 nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, c1993. (BS600.2.F43) Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How To Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour, 2 nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Fokkelman, J.P. Reading Biblical Poetry: An Introductory Guide, 1 st ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, (BS F67) Gabel, John B., Charles Wheeler, and Anthony D. York. The Bible as Literature, An Introduction. New York: NY. Oxford University Press, Geisler, Norman L. A Popular Survey of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Book House, Gertenberger, Erhard S. Psalms: Part 1; with introduction to cultic poetry. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, c1988. (BS G4) Hasel, Gerhard F. Old Testament Theology: Basic Issues in the Current Debate. Grand Rapids, MI.: Eerdmans, Hayes, John Haralson. Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. Nahville, TN. Abingdon Press, Hubbard, David Allan. The Communicator s Commentary. Dallas, TX.: Word Books, Kaiser, Walter C. Classical Evangelical Essays in Old Testament Interpretation. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI: Keil, Carl Friedrich and F. Delitzsch. Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Volumes. (REF BS1154.K414) Kidner, Derek. Psalms 1-72: An Introduction and Commentary on Books 1 and 11 of the Psalms. London: Inter-Varsity Press, Psalms : A Commentary on Books 111-V of the Psalms. London: Inter-Varsity Press, The Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary Downers Grove, IL.: InterVarsity Press, Kraus, Hans-Joachim. Worship in Israel; A Cultic History of the Old Testament. Richmond, VA: John Knox Press,

8 Lawson, Steven J. When all Hell Breaks Loose, You May Be Doing Something Right: Surprising Insights from the Life of Job. Colorado Springs, CO.: NavPress, Longman III, Tremper and Peter Enns, Eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings. Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL Longman III, Tremper. How to Read the Proverbs. Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL ISBN: Longman III, Tremper. How to Read the Psalms. Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL ISBN: Longman III, Tremper. Proverbs. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic ISBN: 10: X Maddux, Roy Clark. Outline Studies of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Book House, Maus, Cynthia Pearl. The Old Testament and the Fine Arts; an anthology of pictures, poetry, music, and stories covering the Old Testament. New York: Harper (BS1197.M35) McCarthy, Dennis J. Old Testament Covenant: A Survey of Current Opinions. Richmond, VA: John Knox Press, McKenns, David L. The Communicator s Commentary. Job. Waco, TX.: Word Books, Mouser, William E. Walking in Wisdom: Studying the Proverbs of Solomon. Downers Grove, IL.: InterVarsity Press, Murphy, James G. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms. Andover, MI.: Warren F. Draper, Paterson, John. The Book That is Alive; Studies in Old Testament Life and Thought as Set Forth by the Hebrew Sages. New York, NY.: Scribner, (BS1455.P3 v.1) Peterson, Eugene H. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society. Downers Grove, IL.: InterVarsity Press, Pippert, Wesley G. Words From The Wise: An Arrangement by Word and Theme of the Entire Book of the Proverbs. Salem, OR: Salem Communications Corporation, Zulon Press Ryken, Leland, James C. Wilhoit, and Tremper Longman III. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press Ryken, Leland and Philip Graham Ryken, eds. The Literary Study Bible: English Standard Version (ESV). Wheaton, IL: Good News Publishers

9 Sanders, Paul S. Twentieth Century Interpretations of the Book of Job; a Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Schokel, Alonso Luis. A Manual of Hebrew Poetics. Roma: Editrice Ponticio Istituto Biblico, (BS A47) Snell, Daniel C. Twice-Told Proverbs and the Composition of the Book of Proverbs. Winona Lake, ID.: Eisenbrauns, Spurgeon, C.H. C.H. Spurgeon s Treasury of David. Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan, Turnbull, Ralph G. Personalities of the Old Testaments Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Book House, Voorwinde, Stephen. Wisdom for Today s Issues: A Topical Arrangement of the Proverbs. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P & R Publ., (BS1463.V66) Westermann, Claus. A Thousand Years and a Day; Our Time in the Old Testament. Philadelphia, PA: Muhlenberg Press, Essays on Old Testament Hermeneutics. Richmond, VA: John Knox Press, Praise and Lament in the Psalms. Atlanta, GA. John Knox Press, Williams, Don. The Communicator s Commentary Psalms Waco, TX.: Word Books, The Communicator s Commentary. Psalms Dallas, TX: Word Books, Wright, J. Robert. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. Downers Grove, IL.: InterVarsity Press, Yoder, Sandford Calvin. Poetry of the Old Testament. Scottdale, PA. Herald Press, (BS1405.Y6) 9