Interpreting the Old Testament (REL301) Augsburg College Fall 2011

Transcription

1 Karl N. Jacobson Memorial 231a Phone: Interpreting the Old Testament (REL301) Augsburg College Fall 2011 Course Description: An investigation of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, including forms, genres, historical contexts, portrayal of God, and interpretation of these texts by ancient and modern Jewish and Christian communities. Course Objectives: 1. To learn to interpret Old Testament texts. 2. To gain a basic knowledge and understanding of the content of the Old Testament. 3. To learn the basic theological claims that the Old Testament makes. Required Texts: 1. The Lutheran Study Bible (NRSV Augsburg Fortress). 2. Jacobson, Jacobson, Wiersma, Crazy Book: A not-so-stuffy Dictionary of Biblical Terms (Augsburg Fortress) Evaluation: Grading for the course will be based on 100 possible points: Students will be evaluated on the following: 1. Class participation. Students are expected to attend and be fully prepared for every class. For each class meeting (excepting the first) each student will come prepared to present a summary on a particular book, portion of a book, figure, or theme of the Old Testament. 60% 2. Final Exegetical/Research Paper A ten to twelve-page exegetical paper, focusing on one of the passages covered during the course. The student is to offer an extended interpretation of a passage and meet the following criteria: offer a coherent explanation of a meaning of the passage; draw on at least four different sources and integrate these perspectives into the paper; develop supporting evidence from the passage in question and from the larger Old Testament (and possibly engaging the New Testament and its perspectives). In place of this final paper, students may substitute a special project related to the interpretation of the Old Testament. (Such a project must be approved by the instructor). Due 12/10 40%. Attendance Policy: Students may have one unexcused absence. Any further absences will result in a grade of F. Excused absences are granted by the instructor. If you need to miss class, talk to me. NOTE: This class places a heavy emphasis on student input. The goal is for us to learn as much from one another as we do from the instructor (maybe more!). I teach using humor and high energy. One of my core convictions is that religion in general, Christianity specifically, and above all the Bible, are often encountered in and through cultural connections/reflections in important and helpful ways. We will be addressing the intersection the Bible and culture often in class, through images, music and film. It is my opinion that these cultural references ought to be treated for all of what they are, and as they are, that is without undue editing or change. As such there may be occasions during the course of the semester when we are confronted with

2 colorful or perhaps troubling language or scenes. If any of these factors do not fit your learning style or your own temperament this course may not be a good fit for you. We will do our best to stick to the schedule that follows. The Instructor reserves the right to changes assignments as necessary. Assignments made in class will take precedence over those listed in the schedule. Topics 9/10 Beginnings 1. Course Introduction Syllabus What is the Bible? What s in the Bible? 2. An introduction to reading the Old Testament 3. Creation as story theology worldview Assignments for the next class: Reading: Lutheran Study Bible (LSB), Introductions to Genesis; Genesis 1-2, Crazy Book Old Testament (211) Pentateuch (217) Creation (45) Genesis (96) Adam (11) Eve (80) Abel (6) Cain (40) 9/24 Origins 1. Father & Mothers of Israel Abraham, Sarah et al 2. Exodus the Story as Motif and the New Testament 3. Covenant The Nature and significance of the Covenant relationship Noah, David, eternal Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Reading: LSB Genesis 6-10, 17; 2 Samuel 23 Intro. to Exodus, Exodus 1-15; Psalm 78 Crazy Book Ancestral Period(18) Abraham (7) Sarah (259) Jacob (130) Leah (175) Rachel (241) Isaac (123) Rebekah (244) Exodus (83) Exodus/Wilderness Period (84) Egyptians (60) Moses (194) Pharaoh (223) Aaron (3) Shiphrah and Puah (269) Yahweh (296) Noah (206) Flood, The (91)

3 10/1 Israel 1. Promised Land How Israel came to be History in Israel In those days The Book of Judges 2. Kings like other nations Samuel: Last Judge 3. Saul: First King Jonathan and David Joshua Ruth Judges 1 Samuel 1-15 Reading: LSB Intro. to Joshua and Judges; Joshua and Judges Intro. to 1 Samuel; 1 Samuel Crazy Book Historical Books (119) Joshua (158) Judges (165) Deborah (52) Delilah (54) Eglon (60) Ehud (61) Gideon (98) Joshua (160) Judges (166) Settlement, Period of (264) Shiloh (267) 1 and 2 Kings (169) 1 and 2 Samuel (257) Ahab(13) Ahaz (14) Baal (27) 10/15 Kings and Prophets 1. David and Solomon David as Paradigm 2. Divided Kingdom Evaluation of Kings in the Bible Hezekiah and Josiah 3. Elijah and Elisha Prophetic figures 1Samuel 16 2 Samuel 12 1 Kings 2 Kings Reading: LSB Intro. to 2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings; 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11; 17-22; 2 Kings 8; 13:14-25; 18-20; Crazy Book Hezekiah (117) Jezebel (141) Naaman (195) Queen of Sheba (239) David (49) Elijah/Elisha (65-68) Goliath (100) Saul (261) Solomon (271) Uriah the Hittite (287) -ites (129) Jerusalem (137) Kingdom of Judah (169) Monarchy (193)

4 11/5 Prophets & Prophecy 1. What prophecy is, and isn t 4 majors, 12 minors the 8 th Century prophets Jonah The Minor Prophets 2. Isaiah First, 1-39 Second, Third, Reading: LSB Intro.s to the 12 minor prophets; Amos, Hosea and any one other minor prophet (other than Jonah) Intro. to Isaiah; Isaiah Crazy Book Prophetic Message (233) Prophets, Major & Minor ( ) Amos book and profile (15-16) Hosea book and profile ( ) Isaiah book and profile ( ) 1 st Isaiah 2 nd Isaiah 3 rd Isaiah Hosea/Amos 11/19 the Exilic Period 1. Jerusalem Lost 2. Ezekiel Prophet of Exile 3. Jeremiah the Prophet the Lamentation 4. Stories of Faithfulness: Daniel & Esther Jeremiah Lamentations Reading: LSB Intro. to Ezekiel, Daniel and Esther; Ezekiel, Daniel or Esther, Psalms 46 and 137 Intro. to Jeremiah and Lamentations; Jeremiah and Lamentations Crazy Book Ezekiel book and profile (86-87) Daniel book and profile (46-48) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego ( ) Nebuchadnezzar ( ) Esther book and profile ( ) Haman ( ) Jeremiah book and profile ( ) Babylon, -ians (28-29) Lamentations (171) Daniel Esther

5 12/3 Restoration & Life 1. 2 nd History: Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah 2. The Psalms 3. Wisdom Literature Job Proverbs Ecclesiastes Job Psalms Reading: LSB Intro. to 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, Psalms; Psalms 1, 19, 81, 100, 150 Intro. to Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes; Proverbs 1-9, Job 1-3, Crazy Book 1, 2 Chronicles (41) Ezra-Nehemiah (89) Poetry (231) Psalm, Psalms ( ) Job book and profile (142, 144) Proverb, Proverbs (235) Ecclesiastes (59) Proverbs Ecclesiastes 12/10 Final presentations / papers due Old Testament Worksheet REL301, Jacobson I. Introduce the class to the book. Things to cover: author/date/audience key concepts, issues, or terms key characters, places, peoples You may also follow the approach of the LSB introductions: Background File What s the story? What s the message? What does a person who will be reading from this book need to know about it? What strikes you as the most important aspect of the book? II. Choose a passage to present which is both central to the book, and which you find important in terms of meaning and application. Follow this outline: 1. Title Summary Give the story or passage a title of your own, which captures the main point.

6 In one sentence summarize the subject matter and intent of the passage. 2. Annotation of the text Step 1. Read the text. Before you do anything else you should read the text. Read it through beginning to end before you do anything else. NOTE: Do not read the notes in your study bible yet!! Step 2. Things You don t know. Next you should re-read the text. As you go make note of: words you don t know; places or names that are unfamiliar; or anything else that is confusing, unclear, or you think might need clarification. Step 3. Questions Write down any questions the text raised for you here you are not so much interested in questions about specifics in the text, but broader meaning of life questions. At this point you might also want to deal with any quotations of the Old Testament, or connections with other books in the Bible. Step 4. Make your notes. Having read the text carefully now write your notes to the text. Using your text book, a bible dictionary (and/or other resources), work through the things you don t know and find them out. As you write you might want to compare with what your study bible makes note of. You need not (should not) copy them, but they might show you something obvious that you ve missed. Your goal is to provide annotations that you think would be helpful to someone else who is reading the text, maybe for the first time. 3. Limits Structure What are major divisions or movements within the passage? Outline the flow of the story. 4. Interpretation What does this mean? Following your outline, offer an interpretation of what the text: a. says b. offers as its central question or claim Pay attention to what the text says about God people. Watch for big theological/religious terms: sin, grace, love, salvation, redemption, etc. 5. Application What does this mean for me? Apply the text to yourself, to the present cultural setting/situation. What does this mean to me personally? What does this mean for me professionally?