STORY OF ISRAEL (For Graduate Credit) OT 5310 AUSTIN GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY FALL 2012

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1 STORY OF ISRAEL (For Graduate Credit) OT 5310 AUSTIN GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY FALL 2012 Tuesday 7:00-9:40 pm Instructor: Dr. K. Stanglin Office phone: , ext Course Description (from catalog): A survey of the books of Genesis through 2 Kings. Attention is given to the theological themes of creation, promise, covenant, and judgment introduced in this foundational narrative of Scripture. Course Objectives: In light of the school s mission and objectives, the student who successfully completes this course will be able to: 1. List the OT books in correct canonical order. 2. Give an intelligible, accurate, and chronological account of the major events of the OT. 3. Understand and explain the major issues of historiography and interpretation of biblical narrative. 4. Conduct basic research into OT backgrounds, terms, and topics. 5. Responsibly interpret and apply passages of the OT. 6. State the major theological themes and purpose of each book (Genesis 2 Kings). 7. Articulate how these OT theological themes merge with those of the NT. Required Course Textbooks: Bible. I prefer that you use a print copy of either the ESV, NIV, NASB, or NRSV. Study Bibles are best. Bring your Bible to each class meeting. Hill, Andrew E. and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. 3 rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Attendance Policy: Students must attend classes regularly. Each student is allowed no more than one absence. If you have 2 unexcused absences, your final course grade will be dropped by one letter grade. You will be considered tardy if you are not present when the roll is checked or if you leave during class. 3 tardies = 1 unexcused absence. If you are tardy, it is your responsibility to make sure you were not counted absent. If you come in more than 10 minutes late, or leave before the end of class without telling me why, you will be counted absent, and will not be allowed to take the test or quiz. Take care of all business before and after class. Academic Honesty: Austin Grad places a high priority on honesty and a biblical commitment to truth. Incidents of cheating, plagiarism, or any other activities deemed dishonest will result in penalties. These penalties may range from receiving a zero (0%) on the assignment to failing the course or dismissal 1

2 from the school. (According to Webster s Collegiate Dictionary, to plagiarize is to steal and use as one s own the ideas, words, etc., of another. Collaborating on written assignments that should be done individually would fall under this category of dishonesty.) Classroom Expectations and Decorum: I expect all students to behave in a Christian manner in and out of the classroom. Turn off all cell phones. You may use laptops for taking notes only. Checking and updating your Facebook status can be distracting to you and those around you. Drinks are permitted, but do not eat food in the classroom. Class will begin promptly, so be ready. Course Requirements: 1. Every student should carefully read the chapters of the Old Testament noted in the syllabus schedule. In addition, some outside readings will be assigned. The student is responsible for all the information in the readings. On the final exam, you will be asked to sign a statement indicating how much you actually read. Come to each meeting prepared to participate in and contribute to the class discussion of these texts. 2. The student should keep a notebook containing all lecture notes and handouts. 3. Reading Questions and Reflections (RQR): On six designated weeks (see schedule), turn in a brief paper over the assigned OT readings. Each paper should include four components in response to the readings: 1) The reading reflections form should be filled out for every OT chapter read. 2) Create five objective questions (T/F, multiple choice, fill in blank), including correct answers and textual citations, to be used on tests. 3) Tell what passage or story was particularly striking and applicable to your life. How does it impact you? ½ page single-spaced. 4) Respond to the following: The passage I find most difficult to understand in these readings is Or, Why I find this passage difficult to apply is ½ page single-spaced. 150 pts. (25 pts. each) 4. You will be quizzed on your ability to list in correct order and with correct spelling the 39 books of the OT. The quiz will be worth 50 points. If you have more than two books out of order OR more than five spelling errors total, you must re-take the quiz, but this time for 45 points maximum. A third and final attempt would be worth only 35 points maximum. If this attempt is unsuccessful, you will receive a zero. 5. Five tests will cover the noted sections of OT readings and lecture material. Memory work relevant to each section will be included on the tests as well. 400 pts. (75 pts. each, 100 pts. for final) 6. Each student will write, in his own words, a word response to the designated case study. It will be due at the beginning of class on week three. 30 pts. For Graduate Students 2

3 7. Read the chapters of Hill and Walton (HW) noted in the schedule below, as well as the excerpt from C. Wright s book. 8. For Week 2, read Dale Manor s article on Ruth. Using this article as a source, write thorough responses to the questions given to you. Present those responses in class on Week pts. 9. Each student will write a research paper on an Old Testament topic. It is to be 8-10 pages in length (double-spaced, Times New Roman), and should consult at least scholarly resources. Footnotes should go at the bottom of the respective page. The paper is due at the beginning of class on Week 13. Papers turned in after this time will be late and penalized. (Some suggested topics appear at the end of the syllabus.) 150 pts. Make-up Policy: A test may be made up only if the absence is excused (for illness or emergency). Contact or see me as soon as possible to arrange it. All make-up tests will be entirely essay format. There will be no make-ups for unexcused absences. In certain cases, though, I reserve the right to allow unexcused make-ups with a significant deduction of points. Grading Scale: 810 points total % = A = B = C = D 0-59 = F It is your responsibility to keep up with your grades and absences. Course Schedule: Wk. 1, 9/4 Ruth 1-4 Wk. 2, 9/11 Ruth Presentation Read HW 1-2, 13. Manor, Ruth. Introduction, background, OT world, getting started. Wk. 3, 9/18 OT Book Quiz Read Enuma Elish, tablets I, III-VI; Epic of Gilgamesh, Case Study tablet XI. Gn HW 3, 19 (Creation and the Fall of humanity) Wk. 4, 9/25 Test 1 Gn. 12, 14-17, 19, 22, 25, 27-28, 32, 37-38, 41, 45, 50. HW 4. (Life of Abraham, Story of Joseph) RQR Wk. 5, 10/2 Ex. 1-4, 7, 10-11, HW 5 (Plagues, Red Sea) Wk. 6, 10/9 Ex , 32-34, 40. HW 9, 26 (Giving of Law) Wk. 7, 10/16 Test 2 Lev. 1-4, 7-8, 10, 16, 19, 26. HW 6. (Priesthood and laws) RQR 3

4 Wk. 8, 10/23 Read Wright, The Land and Christian Ethics. Num. 1, 6, 11, 13-14, 20. HW 7 (Wilderness) Wk. 9, 10/30 Test 3 Dt. 2-4, 6, 8, 10-13, 17-18, 28, 34. HW 8. RQR Wk. 10, 11/6 Josh. 1-3, 5-7, 10, HW (Conquering and settling the promised land) Wk. 11, 11/13 Test 4 Jud. 1-2, 4-7, 11-12, 16. HW 12 (Highlight more important judges) RQR 11/20 READING BREAK Wk. 12, 11/27 1 Sam. 1-9, 13, 15-20, 24; 2 Sam. 1-2, 5-7, 9, HW 14 (Rise and fall of Saul, Reign of David) RQR Wk. 13, 12/4 Research Paper 1 K 1-3, 8, 10, 12, (Solomon/Division) 2 K 2, 5-7, 9-10, 14, 17-19, 22, HW 15, (Importance of justice and holiness; consequences of idolatry) RQR Test 5 = Final Exam Memory work will include: Eight Turning Points: Creation (Adam and Eve) Patriarchs (Abraham, son, nation, land, blessing) Exodus (Moses, law, covenant) Enter land Judges Kings (David, covenant, Solomon, divided monarchy) Exile (sin, prophets, N. Israel, S. Judah) Return (second exodus) Verses: Gen. 1:1-2; Lev. 19:2, 18; Num. 6:24-26; Dt. 6:4-9; Josh. 24:14-15; Jud. 21:25; 1 Sam. 16:7 Items: Books of OT; 12 sons of Jacob; 10 commandments; tabernacle furnishings and court. Dates: 1440/1290 (exodus); 970 (accession of Solomon); 930 (division of kingdom); 722 (fall of Samaria); 597 (siege of Jerusalem), 587 (fall of Jerusalem); 539 (fall of Babylon). 4

5 Suggested research paper topics (if you wish to do a different topic, please check with the prof.) Genesis 1: Science, theology, or what? The Patriarchs in modern study The form, background, and message of the Joseph story in Gen The date of the Exodus The plagues of the Exodus in modern interpretation The Ten Commandments: Their ancient setting and modern application Animal sacrifice in Israel The form, style, and message of Deuteronomy The possessing of the land of Canaan Yahweh war The interpretation of the book of Judges David s rise to power Solomon and the division of the kingdom The Deuteronomistic history: Its purpose and redaction The impact of the exile on ancient Israel Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls The influence of Canaanite religion on Israel The formation of the canon of the OT The impact of Julius Wellhausen on Old Testament studies The impact of Hermann Gunkel on Old Testament studies The impact of Gerhard von Rad on Old Testament studies 5

6 BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR STORY OF ISRAEL Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative. Basic Books, Anderson, Bernhard W. Contours of Old Testament Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Arnold, Bill T. and Bryan E. Beyer. Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey. 2 nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, Boadt, Lawrence. Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction. New York: Paulist Press, Childs, Brevard S. Old Testament Theology in a Canonical Context. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, Freedman, David Noel, ed. The Anchor Bible Dictionary. 6 vols. Garden City: Doubleday Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Hasel, Gerhard. Old Testament Theology: Basic Issues in the Current Debate. 4 th ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Hill, Andrew E. and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. 3 rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, LaSor, William Sanford, et al. Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament. 2 nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Longman III, Tremper and Raymond B. Dillard. An Introduction to the Old Testament. 2 nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Matthews, Victor H. Old Testament Turning Points: The Narratives that Shaped a Nation. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, Schultz, Samuel J. The Old Testament Speaks. 4 th ed. New York: Harper and Row, Thompson, J. A. The Bible and Archaeology. 3 rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Walton, John H., ed. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary. 5 vols. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Walton, John H., et al. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. Downers Grove: Inter- Varsity Press, Walton, John H. and Andrew E. Hill. Old Testament Today: A Journey from Original Meaning to Contemporary Significance. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Wright, Christopher J. H. Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. Downers Grove: IVP Academic,