Critical Introduction to the Bible (GB 5013) Lipscomb University Summer 2004

Transcription

1 1 Critical Introduction to the Bible (GB 5013) Lipscomb University Summer 2004 Instructor: Phillip Camp Link to WebCT Login Page: http%3a//webct.lipscomb.edu/webct/homearea/homearea%3f Link to Faculty Web Page: (You can find a little information on the instructor here). Contact address: Use the component of the course to contact the instructor and to turn in assignments (as required). If you need to contact the instructor before the course begins, the address is phillip.camp@lipscomb.edu. Office Phone: or (ext. 6130) Course Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the critical study of the Bible. It serves to lay a foundation for further, in-depth study of specific biblical books and other Bible-related issues and topics. This course is required of all graduate students who have not had undergraduate courses in critical introductions to the Old and New Testaments. Course Goals and Objectives: 1. To gain an overview of the history of the Bible and the critical study of it. 2. To become familiar with major introductory issues in the study of the Bible (the critically assured minimum ). 3. To discern the assumptions underlying the critically assured minimum as well as those behind much of the critical study of the Bible. 4. To become aware of our own assumptions regarding the Bible. 5. To be able to engage and respond to the critical issues and make informed, defensible decisions regarding them. 6. To reflect upon how the critical study of the Bible can be used in service to the church. Required Texts: The following texts will be used extensively in this course. Therefore, I recommend that you purchase them. The abbreviations that follow the books are how the books will be designated in the reading assignments in the syllabus. 1. Paul J. Achtemeier, Inspiration and Authority: Nature and Function of Christian Scripture (Hendrickson, 1999).

2 2 2. D. A. Carson, Douglas J. Moo, and Leon Morris, An Introduction to the New Testament (Zondervan, 1992). INT 3. Raymond B. Dillard and Temper Longman, An Introduction to the Old Testament (Zondervan, 1994). IOT 4. Clyde E. Fant, Donald W. Musser, and Mitchell G. Reddish. Introduction to the Bible, revised edition (Abingdon, 2001). IB 5. Helmut Thielicke, A Little Exercise for Young Theologians (Eerdmans, 1962, reprint 1998). Any edition is fine. 6. Arthur G. Patzia and Anthony J. Petrotta, Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies (InterVarsity, 2002). Lipscomb s bookstore will have copies of these books, or they can be obtained through another source (e.g., on-line bookstores). Course Requirements: 1. The student should plan to go to the web course at least three times each week: on Sunday or Monday to see the instructor s brief lecture for each unit, to get the web site links, and to see the questions (click on the Lecture icon, and look for the Unit for the week); by Wednesday to make your initial response to the Discussion Board Question (see below); and by Friday to add comments to the Discussion Board. You should also check your each time you log in. NOTE: The reading requirements for this course are rather heavy, and the deadlines are firm. Therefore, plan ahead. All Units will be available once the course begins. You may work ahead if you wish, though you must post your Discussion Board responses during the week each unit is assigned. 2. Reading: The student must do the reading each week (both in the texts and at the web sites) and should answer the questions for each unit. Note that each unit will have multiple parts, each with its own questions. You should your answers to these questions to the instructor as an attachment (in Word or WordPerfect) no later than Wednesday of each week. These questions are not graded, and the instructor is merely checking to make sure you are on the right track. If you do not turn in the questions by Wednesday, the instructor makes no guarantees about checking the questions. Answering the questions is important because they will guide you in your reading, and they serve as the study guides for the exams. Suggestion: Read the questions before doing the reading. Then you will know what to look for as you read. 3. Discussion Board Question: The student is required to post a response to the threaded discussion question given by the instructor each week and to the responses of two of his/her classmates. You must post your first response, a response to the question itself, no

3 3 later than Wednesday of a given week. By Friday, you must respond to your classmates. If you want to respond to more than two, feel free. The responses need not be long (but consider words a minimum). The first posting should respond fully to the instructor s question, and all responses should reflect thoughtfulness. This grade for this component is based both on completing the assignment and on the quality of the responses. You will be informed if your responses are not meeting expectations. Do not get behind on this requirement. The grade for this requirement will be lowered for late or missed responses. However, if you should miss a deadline, post the response(s) ASAP and get some credit. Also, keep in mind that there may be disagreements in the course of the threaded discussions, and that is fine. But responses must be polite, respectful and address the person s comment not the person him/herself (i.e., NO PERSONAL ATTACKS). The grade will be lowered for inappropriate participation. 4. Terms to Learn. Each Part of each Unit will include Terms to Learn. Using the Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies and the other readings, learn the basic meaning of these terms and the significance of each for biblical studies. On the exams, you will be asked to define some of the terms in a sentence or two, giving the meaning and significance of each. 5. Summary and Critique of Achtemeier s Inspiration and Authority. In four or five pages, summarize and respond to Achtemeier s book. You will want to consider the following questions: 1. How does Achtemeier (Inspiration and Authority) characterize the liberal position on inspiration? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this position according to him? 2. How does Achtemeier characterize the conservative position? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this position according to him? 3. Summarize Achtemeier s own proposal. 4. How would Acthemeier understand the preached Word of God in light of his view of inspiration? 5. What value does Acthemeier see for the critical study of the Bible? 6. According to Achtemeier, where does authority of Scripture reside? 7. In your opinion what strengths and weaknesses do you see with his proposal? This assignment is due no later than June 26, and should be ed as an attachment. 6. Mid-term Exam. This exam will cover the material in the assigned readings (books and web), the instructor s on-line lectures, and Part I of the Terms to Learn. This exam will be ed on Thursday, July 1 and must be returned no later than Saturday, July 3.

4 4 7. Term Paper. The student will write a critical introduction to a biblical book, selected from a list of books provided by the instructor. The paper should be 8-10 pages, double spaced. See the Paper Guidelines below. The paper is due no later than July 24, and should be ed to the instructor as an attachment. 8. Summary and Critique of Thielicke s A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. In a two or three page (double-spaced) paper, summarize Thielicke s aims or goals and respond to him. This paper is due no later than August 2, and should be ed as an attachment. 9. Final Exam. This exam will cover the material since the mid-term (readings, lectures) and Part II of the Terms to Learn. It must be completed between August 2 and August 4. Grading Percentages: Threaded discussion (10%); mid-term exam (25%); summary of Achtemeier (10%); summary of Thielicke (5%); term paper (25%); final exam (25%). Grading Scale: % - A; 92-83% - B; 82-70% - C; below 70% -F Additional Note on Grading: Turning in exams or papers late will result in a 10 point reduction per day late. Failure to turn in an assignment will result in no better than a C grade for the course. No incompletes will be given except in cases of extreme emergency for the student or the student s immediate family. Computing and Safeguards: It is assumed that the student has some knowledge of using the Internet and . The student is responsible for solving his/her technical problems. Keep in mind that strange things happen in cyberspace (e.g., s get lost, servers disconnect). Therefore, do not wait until the last minute to do your work. Allow plenty of time to meet deadlines. The student is solely responsible for getting work in on time. See above on penalties for turning assignments in late. Also, back up all of your work on a disk or make a hard copy. Save everything in this way until you receive your final grade in the course/ Honor Code: When one registers for this course, in doing so he/she promises on his/her honor as a gentleman/lady not use another s materials as one s own, not to receive unauthorized help on assignments, and not to use aids of any kind on exams. Course Schedule and Reading Assignments These readings will be supplemented by material on various web sites. The links will be given within each course unit. Unit 1 (June 1-5): The Bible A. Introduction to the Course B. The Canon C. Textual Criticism D. A Brief History of Biblical Research

5 5 Reading Assignment: IOT: 17-20; INT: ; IB: 15, 21-38, 55-73, 89-94, , Unit 2 (June 6-12): The Pentateuch A. Source, Form and Tradition Criticism of the Pentateuch B. Old Testament Law C. Deuteronomy Reading Assignment: IOT: ; IB: 38-54, , , Unit 3 (June 13-19): The Deuteronomistic History and Historiography A. The Deuteronomistic History B. History and Historiography Reading Assignment: IOT: 20-26, ; IB: , , Unit 4 (June 20-26): OT Prophets and Prophecy A. Prophecy in Israel B. Isaiah C. Jeremiah D. Daniel Reading Assignment: IOT: , ; IB: , , *summary of Achtemeier s Inspiration and Authority due this week Unit 5 (June 27-July 3): The Writings A. Postexilic Histories: 1 Chronicles-Esther B. Psalms C. Wisdom Literature Reading Assignment: IOT: ; IB: * midterm exam is due on Saturday Unit 6 (July 4-10): Jesus and the Gospels A. The Synoptic Gospels and the Synoptic Problem B. The Gospel of John C. The Historical Jesus Reading Assignment: INT:19-179; IB: Unit 7 (July 11-17): Acts, Paul and Paul s Letters A. Acts B. The Historical Paul C. Pauline and Deutero-Pauline Letters Reading Assignment: INT , , ; IB: , 424 (beginning with section on Colossians)-430. Unit 8 (July 18-24): The Other NT Books A. Hebrews B. Catholic Epistles C. Revelation

6 6 Reading Assignment: INT: ; IB: (ending with section on 2 Peter), and 2 Peter, and Revelation to John. * term paper is due on Saturday Unit 9 (July 25-31): Inspiration and Inerrancy A. Inspiration and Inerrancy All readings are on the web. Final Exam (August 2-4) The final exam must be returned by Wednesday, August 4. * summary and critique of Thielicke s Little Exercise is due on Monday. Term Paper Guidelines Paper Content The intent of this paper is to provide a critical introduction to a particular biblical book. Therefore, you should examine at least the following issues: 1. authorship 2. date of writing 3. provenance (the place from which it was written) 4. composition and sources (where applicable) 5. type or types of literature represented in the work (genre) 6. historical reliability (if applicable to the book you have chosen) 7. canonical issues, including acceptance into the canon 8. any other significant introductory issues The bulk of the paper should be devoted to the major critical issue(s) regarding your particular book. For example, if there is general agreement about the type of literature, do not use much space on that issue. But if there is a major debate over authorship, concentrate there. The paper should engage both (or all) sides of a debated issue and give a fair representation of the respective positions (i.e., their evidence). Then make an argument for the position you think is correct. In doing so, weigh the evidence and give counter arguments. Also identify the presuppositions behind the various positions (including your own presuppositions!). Each student is to select one of the following biblical books: Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Jonah, Zechariah, 2 Corinthians, Colossians, 1 John, or Jude. In terms of sources, each student should consult at least the following: 1. Two OT or NT introductions, one representing the liberal side of the spectrum and one representing the conservative side. You may use INT or IOT for your conservative

7 7 introduction, but you should find a standard liberal introduction (i.e., IB cannot be your liberal introduction). Liberal introductions to the Old Testament would include those by Otto Eisfeldt, J. Alberto Soggin, Georg Fohrer. Liberal introductions to the New Testament would include those by Raymond Brown and Luke Timothy Johnson. For those with access to Lipscomb s library, the Soggin and Brown introductions will be placed on reserve. 2. The introductions to four modern (written 1970 or later), scholarly commentaries on your book. The commentaries should reflect the theological spectrum. Though they have some good insights, do not use the commentaries by Calvin, Coffman, Boles, Lipscomb, Barnes Notes, Barclay s Daily Study Bible, Adam Clarke, Matthew Henry, Keil and Delitzch, or other preacher s/popular-level commentaries, the notes in a study Bible, or on-line commentaries. Commentary series that generally represent the liberal-critical position are: Anchor Bible Commentary; Augsburg Commentary; Continental Commentary; Hermeneia; International Critical Commentary; Interpretation; Old Testament Library; New Century Bible Commentary. Commentary series that generally represent the conservative end are: College Press NIV Commentary; Living Word (pub. By Sweet/Abilene Univ.); New American Commentary; New International Commentary on the Old/New Testament; New International Greek Testament Commentary; Tyndale Commentaries. Two commentary series that generally fall in the middle of the spectrum are New International Biblical Commentary and Word Biblical Commentary. 3. Two articles from scholarly journals written since These articles should address the debated issue you are examining. Such journals include: Biblica; Bibliotheca Sacra; Catholic Biblical Quarterly; Expository Times; Harvard Theological Review; Journal of Biblical Literature; Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society; Journal for the Study of the Old/New Testament; Themelios; Novum Testamentum; Restoration Quarterly; Vetus Testamentum. If you have any questions about your sources, send me a bibliography in advance, and I can tell you if you are on the right track. Paper Form A portion of the paper grade (10%) will depend on the use of proper grammar, spelling, etc. Here are some suggestions. 1. Use a consistent format (e.g. Turabian). 2. Margins should be at least 1 inch on all sides, and the font should be a normal size (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 point).

8 8 3. If you use someone else s words, put the words in quotation marks. If you directly cite an author or use his/her idea, give credit. You may do this with a footnote, an endnote or parenthetically. Include a bibliography. Plagiarism (i.e., the unacknowledged use of another s words or ideas) will result in an F grade for the paper. An exception to this rule, for this paper, is general information or arguments common in all the sources. For example, if the paper were on Isaiah, you would not need to cite a source for the division of Isaiah into three parts. If a particular scholar, however, is credited in the sources with originating an idea, mention his/her name, but do not worry about crediting the sources that referred to this scholar s idea. For example, if the paper were on Kings, you would mention that Cross proposed the idea of two Dtr s, but you would not need to cite the commentary in which you found his name. 4. Proofread your work. Better yet, have someone else do it. Run the spell-checker, and watch for common slips that the spell-checker will not catch (e.g., confusing there and their or to and too, typing form when you meant from, or using her when you should have used she ).