SYLLABUS: B120 PENTATEUCH 3 CREDIT HOURS WINTER INSTRUCTOR: Rev. G. D. Cressman

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1 SYLLABUS: B120 PENTATEUCH 3 CREDIT HOURS WINTER INSTRUCTOR: Rev. G. D. Cressman gdcressman@sasktel.net I. Course Introduction The purpose of this course is to help students grow in their relationships with God and to gain a methodology, as well as skills, for studying of the Pentateuch (i.e. first five books of the Bible). Attention will be given to the question of authorship of the Pentateuch, as well as the formative stages and content of the Judaeo-Christian faith contained within the Pentateuch. The lessons of early Israel in their journey to the "promised land" will round out the course. Knowledge and love for the Scriptures will be promoted by exploring the timeless stories and theological lessons in the Pentateuch. As such, students can discover a unity between the Pentateuch and the rest of the Bible, thereby contributing to their overall understanding of Christian ministry. II. Course Textbooks Hamilton, Victor P. Handbook on the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. 2 nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, Biblical books of Genesis to Deuteronomy (N.R.S.V. is a good translation). III. Course Objectives Course content, assignments, & various presentations are designed to help in the following ways: Cognitive (what you will be challenged to know and understand). 1. The overall structure (major sections, scope, & literary forms) and historical / cultural background of the Pentateuch. 2. The content and contribution of the Pentateuch to Old Testament (O.T.) history of salvation (i.e. themes, characters, major theological developments), as well as links to the New Testament s (N.T.) history of salvation. 3. The process by which the Patriarchs became covenant people of God and what the covenants within the Pentateuch involve. 4. Certain concerns of higher biblical criticism regarding the first eleven chapters of Genesis, as well as in other parts of the Pentateuch. Affective (what you will be challenged to experience and value). Page 1

2 1. The ageless significance of the Pentateuch for cultivating your personal devotional life. 2. The spiritual challenges, issues, and circumstances faced by humankind in O.T. days, as well as an appreciation of how religious life and faith in the 21 st century parallels these O.T. spiritual dynamics. 3. The powerful influence and richness of various literary styles within the Pentateuch. Conative (what you will be challenged to do with these basic insights, attitudes, and skills). 1. Demonstrate the use of suitable methodologies for studying the O.T. in order to continue study of the O.T. and related literature with discernment and enjoyment. 2. Apply O.T. spiritual teaching within the Pentateuch that would facilitate personal character development which is consistent with the wider scope of the Judaeo-Christian tradition. 3. Demonstrate that one can learn from the theological / academic positions of scholars with whom one does not necessarily agree. 4. Evidence an awareness of O.T. material which is relevant to a sensitivity and respect of Jewish and Muslim people. This course consists of 35 hours of class lectures during the week of March 5 9, as well as any preliminary and subsequent course assignments. IV. Course Content A. The Story Of The Creation Of The World - Primeval History Genesis chs Introduction To Genesis. 2. Account Of Creation - Genesis chs. 1, The Fall And Its Consequences - Genesis chs. 3, First Major Genealogy - Genesis ch The Flood - Genesis chs Table Of Nations & Confusion Of Tongues Genesis B. The Story Of The Creation Of The People Of Israel - Patriarchal History Genesis chs Historicity Debate 2. Abraham - Genesis chs Jacob - Genesis chs Joseph - Genesis chs Page 2

3 C. Exodus Event And Journey To Sinai Exodus chs Introduction To Exodus. 2. The Change In The Hebrews' Condition - Exodus ch Early Life And Call Of Moses - Exodus chs Plagues And The Exodus Event - Exodus chs The Journey To Sinai Exodus chs D. Sojourn At Sinai Exodus ch Numbers Sinai Covenant event, Tabernacle System, and the Laws covering the Details of Life & Worship. E. Journey From Sinai To The Plains Of Moab Numbers Israel's Failure at Kadesh, the Rebellion of Korah, and the Initial Victories against the Amorites. F. The Balaam Incident And Other Events In Plains Of Moab Numbers chs Final preparations to enter Canaan. G. Covenant Recapitulation - The Book Of Deuteronomy Deuteronomy chs As time permits, the peculiar form and teaching of Deuteronomy will be noted. V. Course Requirements Reading Assignment (30%) Read assigned sections of the course textbook by Victor P. Hamilton due March 5, Details and requirements will be supplied on a separate handout. Please note that aspects of this book will be featured on the final exam. Essay (30%) One research / reflection paper of not less than 8 pages in length due March 30, Details and requirements will be supplied on a separate handout. Memorization (10%) Memorize 20 assigned verses and write these passages from memory during the final exam. Details and requirements will be supplied on a separate handout. Final Exam (30%) Based on class lectures and assigned textbook readings on Wednesday, April 18, Details and requirements will be supplied on a separate handout. Academic grading, as well as penalties for absences & late assignments - please refer to regulations on pages 16 to 20 in the Undergraduate Student Handbook Page 3

4 HORIZON COLLEGE AND SEMINARY PENTATEUCH READING ASSIGNMENT Instructor: Rev. Gerald Cressman Winter Semester Credit Hours (gdcressman@sasktel.net) B120 Pentateuch TEXTBOOK READING ASSIGNMENT Value: 30% of the final grade. Due Date: March 5, 2012 Requirements: Print your name clearly on the textbook. Submit your textbook to the instructor on the due date noted above for grading. Read pages ix. to 287 in Victor P. Hamilton Handbook On The Pentateuch (2 nd ed.). Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, The 300 pages of reading and processing ought to take you approximately 30 hours. Underline important data on the pages of your textbook using a coloured highlighter pen. Write observations about the material in the margins of the book as well as questions which occur to you about the material which not answered in the book. Be prepared to answer questions included on the final exam study guide about your readings in the text. My reason for having you write observations and questions in the margins of the book is because the learning process is brought full circle when you read information, seek to understand that information, and then arrive at new questions about the information, once you have worked through it....it is as important to learn the important questions as it is the important answers. It is especially important to learn the questions to which there may not be good answers. We have to learn to live with questions... (Chaim Potok. In The Beginning. New York: Fawcett Crest, 1975, p. 285). SHALOM! Page 4

5 Horizon College/University of Saskatchewan Assessment of Student Work B120 Pentateuch % [Exceptional] a superior performance with consistent strong evidence of: a comprehensive, incisive grasp of the subject matter; an ability to make insightful critical evaluation of the material given; an exceptional capacity for original, creative and/or logical thinking; an excellent ability to organize, to analyze, to synthesize, to integrate ideas, and to express thoughts fluently % [Excellent] an excellent performance with strong evidence of: a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter; an ability to make sound critical evaluation of the material given; a very good capacity for original, creative and/or logical thinking; an excellent ability to organize, to analyze, to synthesize to integrate ideas, and to express thoughts fluently % [Good] a good performance with evidence of: a substantial knowledge of the subject matter; a good understanding of relevant issues and a good familiarity with the relevant literature and techniques; some capacity for original, creative and/or logical thinking; a good ability to organize, to analyze and to examine the subject material in a critical and constructive manner % [Satisfactory] a generally satisfactory and intellectually adequate performance with evidence of: an acceptable basic grasp of the subject material; a fair understanding of the relevant issues; a general familiarity with the relevant literature and techniques; an ability to develop solutions to moderately difficult problems related to the subject material; a moderate ability to examine the material in a critical and analytical manner % [Minimal Pass] a barely acceptable performance with evidence of: a familiarity with the subject material; some evidence that analytical skills have been developed; some understanding of relevant issues; some familiarity with the relevant literature and techniques; attempts to solve moderately difficult problems related to the subject material and to examine the material in a critical and analytical manner, which are only partially successful. Under 50% [Failure] an unacceptable performance See: Page 5

6 VI. Bibliography Introductory & General Works on the Pentateuch Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, Arnold, Bill T. Encountering The Book Of Genesis. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, Childs, Brevard S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture Clines, David J. A. The Theme of the Pentateuch Coote, Robert B. and Ord, David Robert. The Bible's First History From Eden to the Court of David with the Yahwist. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, Dorsey, David, A. The Literary Structure of the O. T. A Commentary on Genesis - Malachi. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, Fretheim, Terence E. The Pentateuch. Nashville: Abingdon Press, Frick, Frank E. A Journey Through The Hebrew Scriptures Hamilton, Victor P. Handbook On The Pentateuch 2 nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book, Harrison, Roland Kenneth. Introduction to the Old Testament Old Testament Times. Grand Rapids: Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Hill, Andrew E. and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, Holdcroft, L. Thomas. The Pentateuch. 2 nd ed. Abbotsford, BC: CeeTeC Publishing, Janzen, Waldemar. Old Testament Ethics. Louisville: Westminster / John Knox Press, LaSor, Wm., Hubbard, D. A., and F. Wm. Bush. Old Testament Survey. 1978, 2nd ed Page 6

7 Lind, Millard C. Yahweh Is A Warrior. The Theology of Warfare in Ancient Israel. Kitchener, ON: Herald Press, Livingston, G. Herbert. The Pentateuch in its Cultural Environment Peterson, Eugene H. Praying With Moses. Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House, Books Of Moses in The Message The Old Testament. Colorado: NavPress, Plaut, W. Gunther. The Torah A Modern Commentary Rogerson, John W. The Pentateuch A Sheffield Reader. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, Sailhammer, John H. Introduction To Old Testament Theology. A Canonical Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, Sandy D. Brent & Ronald L. Giese. Cracking Old Testament Codes Simkins, Ronald A. Creator & Creation. Nature in the Worldview of Ancient Israel. Peabody, MASS.: Hendrickson Publishers, Simpson, A. B. Divine Emblems. Camp Hill, PA.: Christian Publications, Wolf, Herbert W. An Introduction To The O. T. Pentateuch General Works on Genesis Aalders, G. Ch. Genesis I. Bible Student's Commentary Genesis II. Bible Student's Commentary Alter, Robert. Genesis Anderson, Bernard W. From Creation to New Creation. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Arnold, Bill T. Encountering The Book Of Genesis. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, Atkinson, David. The Message of Genesis Page 7

8 Baldwin, Joyce, G. The Message of Genesis Boice, James Montgomery. Genesis 1-11 An Expository Commentary Genesis An Expository Commentary Genesis An Expository Commentary Brisman, Leslie. The Voice Of Jacob: On The Composition Of Genesis Brueggeman, Walter. Genesis. Interpretation Buechner, Frederick. Song of Laughter. New York: Harper Collins, Cassuto, U. A Commentary on the Book of Genesis: Part I Adam to Noah A Commentary on the Book of Genesis: Part II Noah to Abraham Custance, Arthur C. The Seed of the Woman Davis, John J. Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis Esses, Michael. Jesus In Genesis. Plainfield, NJ: Logos International, Fields, Weston W. Unformed and Unfilled: A Critique of the Gap Theory of Genesis 1:1, Filby, F. A. Creation Revealed The Flood Reconsidered Fretheim, Terence E. The Pentateuch Gaebelein, Frank Ely. Genesis - Numbers. Expositor's Bible Commentary Garrett, Duane A. Rethinking Genesis. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, Gunkel, Hermann. Trans. K. William Whitney Jr. Creation and Chaos in the Primeval Era and the Eschaton. Grand Rapids: Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Page 8

9 Hamilton, Victor P. The Book Of Genesis Chapters N.I.C.O.T The Book Of Genesis Chapters N.I.C.O.T Humphreys, W. Lee. Joseph and His Family. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, Janzen, J. Gerald. Abraham and All the Families of the Earth Genesis in International Theological Commentary. Grand Rapids: Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Kidner, Derek. Genesis An Introduction and Commentary. T.O.T.C Mitchell, Stephen. Genesis A New Translation Of The Classical Biblical Stories Rogerson, John W. ed. The Pentateuch A Sheffield Reader Swindoll, Charles R. Joseph A Man of Absolute Integrity. Nashville: Word Publishing, Wenham, Gordon H. Genesis Word Biblical Commentary Genesis Word Biblical Commentary Westermann, Claus. Genesis , translated Genesis , translated Genesis , translated Whitcomb, John C. and Henry M. Morris. The Genesis Flood Whitcomb, John C. The World That Perished Williams, Michael E. Genesis Willis, J. T. Genesis. Abilene Christian University, Youngblood, Ronald F. The Book Of Genesis: An Introductory Commentary The Genesis Debate: Persistent Questions About Creation And The Flood Page 9

10 General Works on Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy Bimson, John T. Redating the Exodus and Conquest Cassuto, U. A Commentary on the Book of Exodus Childs, Brevard S. The Book of Exodus. Westminster O.T. Library Christensen, Duane L. Deuteronomy A Song Of Power And The Power Of Song: Essays On The Book Of Deuteronomy Cragie, Peter C. The Book of Deuteronomy. N.I.C.O.T Davis, John J. Moses and the Gods of Egypt: Studies in the Book of Exodus Fretheim, Terence E. Exodus. Interpretation Gaebelein, Frank Ely. Deuteronomy to 1 & 2 Samuel. Expositor's Bible Commentary Gerstenberger, Erhard S. Leviticus A Commentary. Louisville, KT: Westminster John Knox Press, Harrelson, Walter. The Ten Commandments and Human Rights. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, Harris, Monford. Exodus And Exile: The Structure Of The Jewish Holidays Harrison, R. K. Leviticus An Introduction & Commentary. T.O.T.C Numbers. The Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, Hartley, John E. Leviticus Knight, George A. F. The Song of Moses. A Theological Query. Grand Rapids: Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Milgrom, Jacob. Leviticus 1-16: A New Translation With Introduction & Commentary Page 10

11 Millar, J. Gary. Now Choose Life. Theology and Ethics in Deuteronomy. Grand Rapids: Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Moore, Michael S. The Balaam Traditions: Their Character And Development Noordtzij, A. Leviticus. Bible Student's Commentary Numbers. Bible Student's Commentary Porter, J. R. Leviticus. Cambridge Bible Commentary Sturdy, John. Numbers. Cambridge Bible Commentary Swindoll, Charles R. Moses A Man of Selfless Dedication. Nashville: Word Publishing, Thompson, J. A. The Book of the Law Deuteronomy. T.O.T.C Wenham, Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus. An Introduction & Commentary. N.I.C.O.T Numbers. An Introduction & Commentary. T.O.T.C Yancey, Philip. The Bible Jesus Read. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, Page 11