Course Syllabus SUMMER 2015 THE FIVE SCROLLS OLDT 0674 JULY 20-24, 9:00 AM 4:00 PM

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1 Course Syllabus SUMMER 2015 THE FIVE SCROLLS OLDT 0674 JULY 20-24, 9:00 AM 4:00 PM INSTRUCTOR: MARY L. CONWAY, PH.D. Office Hours: Before or after class or by appointment. To access your course material, please go to Course s will be sent to account. For information how to access and forward s to your personal account, see I. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course examines the books known as the Five Scrolls or Megillot Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and Esther their content, their place in the history of Israel, their theology, their role as Christian Scripture, and their application to the church today. These five small but fascinating books of the Old Testament are often overlooked in both church and seminary; nevertheless, they form an essential part of Christian Scripture and give us increased insight into the relationship between God and humanity. They contain exciting narrative and profound philosophy, lyrical poems and poignant lament, and stories of both love and danger. Prerequisites: BIBL Recommended: OLDT 0511 II. LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the course, students should be able to: i. demonstrate an understanding of the basic content of the Five Scrolls ii. demonstrate an understanding of the practical and spiritual relevance of the Five Scrolls to God s people both in their historical context and for the Christian church today iii. communicate effectively what the Five Scrolls teach about God, his character, and his purposes for humanity iv. demonstrate practical skill in exegeting a pericope from one of the Five Scrolls in depth and relating it to the New Testament and Christian life today Revised December 17,

2 -orv. demonstrate an ability to synthesize and communicate relevant themes from the Five Scrolls vi. exhibit competence in relating the Five Scrolls to various ministries and specializations in today s church and culture vii. grow to love God and humanity more through the internalization of the concepts in these books III. COURSE REQUIREMENTS A. REQUIRED READING: Berlin, Adele. Lamentations: A Commentary. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, Google Books Preview Bush, Frederic William. Ruth, Esther. WBC 9. Dallas: Word, Provan, Iain W. Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, B. SUPPLEMENTARY / RECOMMENDED READING: Allen, Leslie C. A Liturgy of Grief: A Pastoral Commentary on Lamentations. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, Google Books Preview Brown, William P. Ecclesiastes. IBC. Louisville, KY: John Knox, Google Books Preview Garrett, Duane, and Paul R. House Song of Songs/Lamentations. Vol. 23B. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas, TX: Word, Hubbard, Robert L. The Book of Ruth. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Google Books Preview Jobes, Karen H. Esther. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Google Books preview Longman, Tremper. Song of Songs. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Google Books Preview Parry, Robin A. Lamentations. The Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Google Books Preview Peterson, Eugene H. Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Google Books Preview Webb, Barry G. Five Festal Garments: Christian Reflections on the Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther. New Studies in Biblical Theology 10. Downers Grove, IL: Apollos/InterVarsity Press, Revised December 17,

3 C. ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING Due to the short time frame, extensions are generally not given for summer courses except in dire circumstances. Plan ahead! Late assignments will be penalized 2% per day. All assignments should be double spaced and typed in 12 pt. Times New Roman font. Note that page requirements do not include the title page and bibliography. Please use footnotes, not endnotes. Specific requirements are listed under the individual assignments. All assignments must be submitted in.pdf format by to Other document types will not be accepted. Be sure to include your last name as part of the file name. Your assignment will be evaluated by means of comments on the.pdf and returned to you by . Please include your preferred address on the cover page. The assignments below are designed to foster the acquisition of the goals listed above. Assignment #1 addresses goals I and vii; Assignment #2 addresses i; Assignment #3 addresses i, ii, iii, vi, and vii; and Assignment #4 addresses i, ii, iii, iv, v, and vii. 1. Reading Response to the Five Scrolls: Due during the week of July 20-24, 2015; 5% of final grade. The most effective way to become familiar with the Old Testament and to appreciate its contribution to the Christian life is to read it. To this end, students should read the five books Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations in a modern critical translation (e.g., NRSV, TNIV, NIV, NLT, NASB, JPS). For each book you will submit a 150 word response. These responses will contain your thoughts on one aspect of content, background, theology, application, or things about the book that surprised, concerned, or puzzled you during your reading, or a new insight that you gained. Do NOT summarize the book. If possible, read the biblical books and submit your paragraphs before the course starts; otherwise, submit the paragraph for each book by the time discussion of that book begins (e.g., Lamentations by the start of class on Thursday morning). 2. Reading about the Five Scrolls: Due on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 11:59 pm; 10% of final grade. Students will read at least 50 pages from the texts above on each of the Five Scrolls, more if this is your area of interest. You will also read from other commentaries, monographs, and articles as you research your assignments to a total of pages. You will submit a chart modelled on the one below detailing your reading. In the third column you will summarize briefly something interesting that you learned from each text that you didn t know before (about 100 words for each). Biblical Book Reading Comments Ruth Bush, Ruth, Esther, pp. xxxx, xx-xxx. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Pellentesque quis nisi erat. Ut viverra blandit metus in tempu (p. xx) Block, Judges, Ruth, xxxxxx. Cursus felis et, vestibulum erat. Nulla pellentesque sapien sed nisi dictum. Curabitur ipsum (p. xx-xx) Revised December 17,

4 Song of Songs Ecclesiastes Lamentations Esther Provan, Ecclesiastes, Song, x-xxx Provan, Ecclesiastes, Song, xxx-xxx. Berlin, Lamentations, xxxxx. Parry, Lamentations, xxxxx. Krašovec, The Source of Hope in the Book of Lamentations, xxx xxx. Moore, Human Suffering in Lamentations, xx-xx Bush, Ruth, Esther, xxx-xxx, xxx-xxx. Proin at nulla hendrerit, cursus felis et, vestibulum erat. Nulla pellentesque sapien sed nisi dictum. Curabitur ipsum ultricies, quis vehicula sem accumsan (p. xx) Morbi ut orci eget elit blandit ornare in id leo. Morb ut neque sollicitudin auctor sapien sed eu massa faucibus iaculis sed ut sem. (p. xx) Suspendisse convallis sagittis consequat. Curabitur sollicitudin sapien sed ipsum ultricies, quis vehicula sem accumsan. (p. xxxx) Vim ad dicunt numquam elaboraret, an ius falli doming saperet, sed eripuit maiorum scripserit cu. Ne ius splendide (p. xx) Ne eos ipsum delectus. Mea assum consectetuer id, ex modo tempor pro. Porro tamquam lobortis mei ad (p. xx) Ea eam movet sensibus, ponderum consetetur interpretaris eos id. An qui minim (p. xx) Nullam tincidunt, nisi eget molestie sodales, risus purus placerat enim, nec mollis leo tortor sed nibh. (p. xx) 3. Responses in a Specialized Area of Interest: Due on [Monday, August 10, 2015 at 11:59 pm; 35% of final grade. Students will complete one of the following assignments which relate the Five Scrolls to various ministries and specializations in today s church and culture. This project will be evaluated for both creativity and content. Your work should indicate thorough understanding of the Five Scrolls as well as their contemporary relevance. Reference to secondary sources (books, articles, music, video, websites, etc.) should be given as appropriate for all options, and must be fully documented. Be sure to evaluate the quality of your sources carefully. Note: A DropBox folder will be set up for files too large to . a. Commentary Analysis (Biblical studies focus) Select three different commentaries on one of the Five Scrolls and study them carefully. Write a 5-6 page critical review of these commentaries in which you evaluate them for their usefulness in biblical studies. Be sure that you set out your criteria, which may include: presuppositions (implicit or explicit), format and organization, use of original languages, historical and cultural background information, consideration of textual issues, breadth of scholarship, cogency of arguments, validity of theological conclusions, contemporary application, etc. Include clear conclusions. b. Film Analysis (Biblical studies focus) A number of films focus on the books of Esther and Ruth: Esther and the King (1960, available from Esther (2000), Queen Esther, One Night with the King (2006), The Book of Esther (2013), The Story of Ruth (1960), and the Book of Ruth (2010). Select one of these movies and watch it. In a paper of 5-6 pages, critically analyze the movie in terms of its portrayal of Scripture. Consider the relevance of characterization, historical accuracy, and theological themes. Do NOT simply give a comparison of the content! Focus on what the film says about society s understanding/interpretation of the biblical story of Esther or Ruth. c. Sermon Preparation (Pastoral studies focus) Revised December 17,

5 Prepare and record (audio or video) a sermon of minutes on a passage from one of the five Scrolls that you might deliver at your church. This sermon must be written specifically for this course and must not be recycled material. It should demonstrate insights that you have gained from this course. Include a typed version of the sermon that includes footnotes of sources, even though you will not read these when you preach. It is appropriate, however, to include in a sermon a phrase such as In her book Karen Jobes points out that Always give credit where credit is due. d. Liturgy Preparation (Ministry studies focus) Prepare a 30 minute liturgy for your church that will lead up to and conclude a sermon by your pastor on a topic or section of one of the Five Scrolls. Describe briefly the purpose and content of the sermon that the pastor will be delivering. The service may be traditional, contemporary, or blended. Prepare a bulletin listing the sermon topic, music, songs, prayers, etc. Please provide the text of prayers and links to the music/songs (or submit the file). Include a 2-3 page explanation of why you chose these elements for your liturgy. e. Counselling Plan (Counselling focus) Select one of the Five Scrolls and explain in a paper of 5-6 pages how you would use it as a pastor/spiritual advisor in individual counselling with members of your church. For example, you might use Lamentations in grief counseling, Ruth in dealing with personal setbacks and difficulties, Ecclesiastes in coping with depression, Esther in handling situations involving prejudice or cultural oppression, and even Song of Songs in marriage counseling. Many other options are possible. f. Lesson Preparation (Teaching focus) Create a 40 minute Sunday school lesson for grade school children or high school students, or a 40 minute small group study for adults, that deals with a relevant section of one of the Five Scrolls and that integrates the historical context with contemporary theological relevance. Focus on how the material applies to Christians today and how it might reinforce or challenge their worldview. For example, Ecclesiastes may be relevant to our modern workaholic, consumeristic culture, Esther may connect to the oppressed, or Ruth may relate to problems of immigrants or the marginalized. Specify the age level and nature of your class. Include the purpose of the lesson, the strategies, and the lesson materials. g. Novel or Movie Analysis (Christian worldview focus) Select a novel or movie that has a situation, theme, or character type in common with one of the Five Scrolls. This does not need to be a Christian novel or movie. For example, The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert may make an interesting comparison with Qoholet in Ecclesiastes since Alma and Ambrose live with a desperate need to understand the workings of this world and the mechanisms behind all life as they explore the realms of the scientific and the spiritual. Or, the movie Schindler s List may relate to Lamentations in its depiction of suffering. Or, Jhumpa Lahiri s book, The Lowland, may relate to Ruth. These are suggestions only, not recommendations; there are limitless possibilities. In a paper or 5-6 pages, explore the relationship between the biblical book and the contemporary novel or movie, and give insights into how each informs the other. Do NOT simply focus on a list of similarities and differences. Revised December 17,

6 4. Exegetical or Thematic Paper: Due on Friday, August 28, 2015 at 11:59 pm; 50% of final grade. Students will prepare an exegetical or thematic paper of approximately pages, double spaced. At least 10 academic secondary sources are required for these papers, and all must be used and cited in the paper. Sources may include the class texts, monographs, commentaries, and articles from journals or books. Sources must NOT include web sites (other than on line databases for articles, unless with the professor s permission), one volume Bible dictionaries, study Bibles, Bible translations, and dated devotional commentaries (such as Matthew Henry s). Recent sources are preferred. Please avoid lengthy quotations from these sources; integrate the information into your own writing, documenting paraphrase as well as direct quotation. Do not include a lengthy paraphrase with an all-encompassing footnote at the end of the paragraph. Material must be processed and integrated with your own ideas with each borrowed idea referenced separately. Do not include lengthy biblical quotations. Note: Often references to other parts of the Old or New Testaments are very appropriate, but you MUST demonstrate their relevance in your paper, not assume it. Your written work will be evaluated according to three main criteria: I. Presentation: Spelling, grammar, clarity, layout, documentation, format of footnotes and bibliography. Use subtitles to enhance organization. II. Argumentation: Introduction with clear thesis, logical flow of ideas, compelling evidence, effective use of sources, effective conclusions. III. Content: Coverage of all relevant issues, adequate background information, deep engagement with the text and with sources. a. Exegetical Paper: Students will select one self-contained pericope of 8-12 verses from one of the Five Scrolls and complete an exegetical analysis. The paper should include: i. Introductory Material: a. A clear statement of the thesis in the introduction b. The historical and cultural context of the passage and book c. Explanation of how your passage fits within the book as a whole ii. Analysis: (this should form the major part of your paper) a. A detailed exegesis of the passage b. Theological reflections on the passage (may be integrated with the exegesis) iii. Conclusions: a. May include connections to the rest of the OT, NT and/or suggestions for practical/pastoral applications b. A clear conclusion to your argument with reference to your thesis b. Thematic Paper: Students will identify a significant theme in one or more of the five scrolls and explore its development. The paper should include: i. Introductory Material a. A clear statement of the thesis in the introduction b. A clear explication of the theme and its importance ii. Development: (this should form the major part of your paper) Revised December 17,

7 iii. a. Analysis of relevant passages that relate to the theme c. Theological reflections on the theme (may be integrated with your argument) Conclusions: a. May include connections to the rest of the OT, NT and/or suggestions for practical/pastoral applications b. A clear conclusion to your argument with reference to your thesis D. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN WORK Your work should demonstrate the following characteristics: For proper citation style, consult the Chicago-Style Quick Guide (Tyndale e-resource) or the full edition of the Chicago Manual of Style Online, especially ch. 14. For citing scripture texts, refer to sections to and to Academic Integrity Integrity in academic work is required of all our students. Academic dishonesty is any breach of this integrity, and includes such practices as cheating (the use of unauthorized material on tests and examinations), submitting the same work for different classes without permission of the instructors; using false information (including false references to secondary sources) in an assignment; improper or unacknowledged collaboration with other students, and plagiarism. Tyndale University College & Seminary takes seriously its responsibility to uphold academic integrity, and to penalize academic dishonesty. Students should consult the current Academic Calendar for academic polices on Academic Honesty, Gender Inclusive Language in Written Assignments, Late Papers and Extensions, Return of Assignments, and Grading System. The Academic Calendar is posted at E. SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING Evaluation is based upon the completion of the following assignments Reading Response on the Five Scrolls Friday, July 24 5% Responses in a Specialized Area of Interest Monday, Aug 10 35% Reading about the Five Scrolls Friday, Aug 21 10% Exegetical or Thematic Paper Friday, Aug 28 50% Total Grade Due Date 100 % Revised December 17,

8 IV. COURSE SCHEDULE, CONTENT AND REQUIRED READINGS Date Monday Morning, July 20 Monday Afternoon, July 20 Tuesday Morning, July 21 Tuesday Afternoon, July 21 Wednesday Morning, July 22 Wednesday Afternoon July 22 Thursday Morning, July 23 Thursday Afternoon, July 23 Friday Morning, July 24 Friday Afternoon, July 24 Lectures and Class Activities Syllabus, Introduction Ruth Ruth Song Part 1 Song Part 2, Ecclesiastes Part 1 Ecclesiastes Part 2 Lamentations Part 1 Lamentations Part 2 Esther Part 1 Esther Part 2, Conclusions Bible Readings/Responses Due Ruth Song of Songs Ecclesiastes Lamentations Esther V. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Allen, Leslie C. A Liturgy of Grief: A Pastoral Commentary on Lamentations. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, Almog, Yael. Flowing Myrrh upon the Handles of the Bolt : Bodily Border, Social Norms and Their Transgression in the Song of Songs. Biblical Interpretation 18 (2010) Alonso Schökel, L. A Manual of Hebrew Poetics. Subsidia Biblica 11. Rome: Pontifical Biblical Institute, Anderson, Gary A. A Marriage in Full. First Things (2008) Bartholomew, Craig G. Ecclesiastes. In Theological Bible Commentary, Louisville: Westminster John Knox, Qoheleth in the Canon?! Current Trends in the Interpretation of Ecclesiastes. Themelios 24 (1999) The Theology of Ecclesiastes. In The Words of the Wise Are Like Goads: Engaging Qohelet in the 21st Century, Edited by Mark J. Boda, Tremper Longman, III and Christian G. Rata. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, Beach, Lee. Esther as a Model for Doing Mission without Mentioning God. Evangelical Missions Quarterly 48 (2012) Beller, David. A Theology of the Book of Esther. Restoration Quarterly 39 (1997) Bergant, Dianne. My Beloved Is Mine and I Am His (Song 2:16): The Song of Songs and Honor and Shame. Semeia (1994) Revised December 17,

9 Berlin, Adele. Lamentations: A Commentary. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, Bernat, David A. Biblical Waṣfs Beyond Song of Songs. JSOT 28 (2004) Bernstein, Moshe J. Two Multivalent Readings in the Ruth Narrative. JSOT (1991) Black, Max. Metaphor. In Philosophical Perspectives on Metaphor, edited by Mark Johnson, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, Bland, Dave. God s Activity as Reflected in the Books of Ruth and Esther. Restoration Quarterly 24 (1981) Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Ecclesiastes 3:1-15: Another Interpretation. JSOT (1995) Block, Daniel I. Judges, Ruth. NAC 6. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Blumenthal, David R. Where God Is Not: The Book of Esther and Song of Songs. Judaism 44 (1995) Boda, Mark J. Form Criticism in Transition: Penitential Prayer and Lament, Sitz im Leben and Form. In Seeking the Favor of God, Volume 1, The Origins of Penitential Prayer in Second Temple Judaism, edited by Mark J. Boda, Daniel K. Falk and Rodney A. Werline, Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, Lamentations, Book of. In Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry and Writings, edited by Tremper Longman III, Peter Enns, and Daniel G. Reid, Downers Grove: IVPress, The Priceless Gain of Penitence: From Communal Lament to Penitential Prayer in the Exilic Liturgy of Israel. Horizons in Biblical Theology 25 (2003) Speaking into the Silence: The Epilogue of Ecclesiastes. In The Words of the Wise Are Like Goads: Engaging Qohelet in the 21st Century, Edited by Mark J. Boda, Tremper Longman, III and Christian G. Rata. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, Boda, Mark J., Carol J. Dempsey, and LeAnn Snow Flesher. Daughter Zion: Her Portrait, Her Response. Ancient Israel and Its Literature. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, Boda, Mark J., Tremper Longman, and Cristian G. Rat a. The Words of the Wise Are Like Goads: Engaging Qoheleth in the 21st Century. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, Breneman, Mervin. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, Brenner, Athalya. Naomi and Ruth: Further Reflections. In Feminist Companion to Ruth, Sheffield, Eng: JSOT Pr, To See Is to Assume: Whose Love Is Celebrated in the Song of Songs? Biblical Interpretation 1 (1993) Brown, William P. Ecclesiastes. Ibc. Louisville, KY: John Knox, Brueggemann, Walter. The Costly Loss of Lament. JSOT (1986) Bush, Frederic William. Ruth, Esther. WBC 9. Dallas: Word, Campbell, Edward F. Ruth: A New Translation with Introduction, Notes, and Commentary. 1st ed. Anchor Bible 7. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Carr, David McLain. Gender and the Shaping of Desire in the Song of Songs and Its Interpretation. JBL 119 (2000) Carr, G. Lloyd. Is the Song of Songs a Sacred Marriage Drama. JETS 22 (1979) Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. A Commentary on Judges and Ruth. Kregel Exegetical Library. Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic, Collins, C. John. Ambiguity and Theology in Ruth: Ruth 1:21 and 2:20. Presb 19 (1993) Conway, Mary L. Daughter Zion: Metaphor and Dialogue in the Book of Lamentations. In Daughter Zion: Her Portrait, Her Response, Edited by Mark J. Boda, Carol J. Revised December 17,

10 Dempsey and LeAnn Snow Flesher. Ancient Israel and Its Literature 13. Atlanta, GA: Society of Biblical Literature, From Objective Observation to Subjective Participation: How the Speaking Voices in Lamentations Lead from Suffering toward Redemption. M.T.S. Thesis, McMaster University, Corney, Richard W. What Does Literal Meaning Mean? Some Commentaries on the Song of Songs. ATR 80 (1998) Davis, Barry C. Ecclesiastes 12:1-8--Death, an Impetus for Life. BSac 148 (1991) Dearman, J. Andrew. Jeremiah/Lamentations. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Observations on Conversion and the Old Testament. Ex auditu 25 (2009) Decock, Paul B. Origen s Christian Approach to the Song of Songs. Religion & Theology 17 (2010) Dell, Katharine J. The Cycle of Life in Ecclesiastes. VT 59 (2009) Dennison, James T., Jr. Narrative Art and Biblical Theology in the Book of Ruth. Kerux 22 (2007) Derby, Josiah. The Paradox in the Book of Esther. Jewish Bible Quarterly 23 (1995) Dobbs-Allsopp, F. W. The Delight of Beauty and Song of Songs 4:1-7. Int 59 (2005) Lamentations. IBC. Louisville, KY: Kohn Knox, Tragedy, Tradition, and Theology in the Book of Lamentations. JSOT (1997) Weep, O Daughter of Zion: A Study of the City-Lament Genre in the Hebrew Bible. BibOr 44. Rome, Editrice Pontificio Instituto Biblico, Dorsey, David A. Literary Structuring in the Song of Songs. JSOT (1990) Elliott, Mark W. Ethics and Aesthetics in the Song of Songs. Tyndale Bulletin 45 (1994) Exum, J. Cheryl. Seeing Solomon s Palanquin (Song of Songs 3:6-11). Biblical Interpretation 11 (2003) Falk, Marcia. The Wasf. In Feminist Companion to the Song of Songs, Sheffield, Eng: JSOT Pr, Fisch, Harold. Ruth and the Structure of Covenant History. VT 32 (1982) Fox, Michael V. Character and Ideology in the Book of Esther. 2nd ed. Studies on Personalities of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Love, Passion, and Perception in Israelite and Egyptian Love Poetry. JBL 102 (1983) The Religion of the Book of Esther. Judaism 39 (1990) The Song of Songs and the Ancient Egyptian Love Songs. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, Fredericks, Daniel C. Preaching Qohelet. In The Words of the Wise Are Like Goads: Engaging Qohelet in the 21st Century, Edited by Mark J. Boda, Tremper Longman, III and Christian G. Rata. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, Fredericks, Daniel C., and Daniel J. Estes. Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs. Apollos Old Testament Commentary. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Frymer-Kensky, Tikva. In the Wake of the Goddesses: Women, Culture, and the Biblical Transformation of Pagan Myth. New York: Free Press, Fuchs, Esther. Status and Role of Female Heroines in the Biblical Narrative. Mankind Quarterly 23 (1982) García Bachmann, Mercedes. A Study of Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 9:1-12. International Review of Mission 91 (2002) Revised December 17,

11 Garrett, Duane A. Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 and the Feminist Hermeneutic. Criswell Theological Review 2 (1988) Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, Garrett, Duane, and Paul R. House Song of Songs/Lamentations. Vol. 23B. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas, TX: Word, Gertel, Elliot. Divine and Human Anger and Grace: Scroll of Esther and Exodus Jewish Bible Quarterly 40 (2012) Gevaryahu, Haim M. I., and Gilad J. Gevaryahu. Esther Is a Story of Jewish Defense, Not a Story of Jewish Revenge. Jewish Bible Quarterly 21 (1993) Glanzman, George S. The Origin and Date of the Book of Ruth. CBQ 21 (1959) Glover, Neil. Your People, My People: An Exploration of Ethnicity in Ruth. JSOT 33 (2009) Goldman, Stan. Narrative and Ethical Ironies in Esther. JSOT (1990) Gordis, Robert. Conclusion of the Book of Lamentations (5:22). JBL 93 (1974) Love, Marriage, and Business in the Book of Ruth. In Light Unto My Path, Philadelphia: Temple University Press, Religion, Wisdom, and History in the Book of Esther: A New Solution to an Ancient Crux. JBL 100 (1981) Goswell, Greg. Keeping God out of the Book of Esther. EvQ 82 (2010) Greenstein, Edward L. The Wrath of God in the Book of Lamentations. In The Problem of Evil and Its Symbols in Jewish and Christian Tradition, edited by Henning Craf Reventlow and Yair Hoffman, JSOTSup 366. New York: T. & T. Clark, Greenwood, Kyle R. Debating Wisdom: The Role of Voice in Ecclesiastes. CBQ 74 (2012) Grossberg, Daniel. Nature, Humanity, and Love in Song of Songs. Int 59 (2005) Halton, Charles. An Indecent Proposal: The Theological Core of the Book of Ruth. SJOT 26 (2012) Harding, Kathryn. I Sought Him but I Did Not Find Him : The Elusive Lover in the Song of Songs. Biblical Interpretation 16 (2008) Haverluck, Bob. Song of Love, Song of Revolt: Re-Reading the Song of Songs. ARTS 14 (2002) Hillers, Delbert. History and Poetry in Lamentations. CurTM 10 (1983) Lamentations. AB 7A. New York: Doubleday, Hollinshead, Jay K. What Is Good for Man? An Exposition of Ecclesiastes 7:1-14. BSac 170 (2013) Holmstedt, Robert D. Ruth: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, Hubbard, Robert L. The Book of Ruth. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Huey, F. B., Jr. Irony as the Key to Understanding the Book of Esther. Southwestern Journal of Theology 32 (1990) Jeremiah, Lamentations. The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, Hunter, Jannie H. The Song of Protest: Reassessing the Song of Songs. JSOT (2000) Jacobs, Jonathan. Characterizing Esther from the Outset: The Contribution of the Story in Esther 2:1-20. JHebS 8 (2008). Revised December 17,

12 Jacobson, Diane. Redefining Family in the Book of Ruth. WW 33 (2013) Janzen, J. Gerald. All Is Vanity. ChrCent 128 (2011) Jarick, John. An Allegory of Age as Apocalypse (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7). Colloquium 22 (1990) Jobes, Karen H. Esther. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Johnson, John E. The Special Relevance of Ecclesiastes for Contemporary Culture. BSac 169 (2012) Johnston, Gordon H. The Enigmatic Genre and Structrure of the Song of Songs. Part 1. BSac 166 (2009) The Enigmatic Genre and Structure of the Song of Songs. Part 2. BSac 166 (2009) The Enigmatic Genre and Structure of the Song of Songs. Part 3. BSac 166 (2009) Jones, Scott C. Qohelet s Courtly Wisdom: Ecclesiastes 8:1-9. CBQ 68 (2006) Katz, Ben Zion. Irrevocability of Persian Law in the Scroll of Esther. Jewish Bible Quarterly 31 (2003) Keita, Shadrac, and Janet W. Dyk. The Scene at the Threshing Floor: Suggestive Readings and Intercultural Considerations on Ruth 3. Bible Translator (Ja, Jl Technical Papers) 57 (2006) Ketchum, Josh. The Goʼel Custom in Ruth: A Comparative Study. Restoration Quarterly 52 (2010) Khalil, Joseph S. Qoheleth s Response to the Overconfident Preacher: A New Approach to Ecclesiastes 8:1-3. WW 32 (2012) Krašovec, Joze. The Source of Hope in the Book of Lamentations. VT 42 (1992) Kugel, James L. The Idea of Biblical Poetry: Parallelism and Its History. Newhaven, CT: Yale University Press, Lacocque, André. The Different Versions of Esther. Biblical Interpretation 7 (1999) Lanahan, William F. The Speaking Voice in the Book of Lamentations. JBL 93 (1974) Landy, Francis. Beauty and the Enigma: An Inquiry into Some Interrelated Episodes of the Song of Songs. JSOT (1980) The Song of Songs and the Garden of Eden. JBL 98 (1979) Lee, Nancy C. The Singers of Lamentations: Cities under Siege, from Ur to Jerusalem to Sarajevo. BIS. Leiden; Boston: Brill, Lee, Nancy C., and Carleen Mandolfo. Lamentations in Ancient and Contemporary Cultural Contexts. Society of Biblical Literature Symposium Series, Leiden; Boston: Brill, Levenson, Jon D. Scroll of Esther in Ecumenical Perspective. Journal of Ecumenical Studies 13 (1976) Linafelt, Tod. Surviving Lamentations: Catastrophe, Lament, and Protest in the Afterlife of a Biblical Book. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Narrative and Poetic Art in the Book of Ruth. Int 64 (2010) The Refusal of a Conclusion in the Book of Lamentations. JBL 120 (2001) Longman, Tremper. The Book of Ecclesiastes. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Challenging the Idols of the Twenty-First Century: The Message of the Book of Ecclesiastes. Stone-Campbell Journal 12 (2009) Song of Songs. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Revised December 17,

13 Luter, Boyd. Love in a Fallen World: Further toward a Theology of the Song of Songs. Criswell Theological Review 10 (2012) Mandolfo, Carleen. Daughter Zion Talks Back to the Prophets: A Dialogic Theology of the Book of Lamentations. Semeia Studies. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, Mann, Thomas W. Ruth 4. Int 64 (2010) Manor, Dale W. A Brief History of Levirate Marriage as It Relates to the Bible. Restoration Quarterly 27 (1984) Martin, Jessica. Mortality and Its Joys: Reading Ecclesiastes in the Light of the Gospel Resurrection Narratives. Theology 111 (2008) Martin-Achard, Robert, and S. P. Reʻemi. God s People in Crisis: A Commentary on the Books of Amos and Lamentations. ITC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, McGeough, Kevin M. Esther the Hero: Going Beyond Wisdom in Heroic Narratives. CBQ 70 (2008) Meredith, Christopher. The Lattice and the Looking Glass: Gendered Space in Song of Songs 2:8-14. JAAR 80 (2012) Miller, Douglas B. What the Preacher Forgot: The Rhetoric of Ecclesiastes. CBQ 62 (2000) Mills, Mary E. Household and Table: Diasporic Boundaries in Daniel and Esther. CBQ 68 (2006) Moore, Carey A. Archaeology and the Book of Esther. Biblical Archaeologist 38 (1975) Moore, Michael S. Human Suffering in Lamentations. RB 90 (1983) Ruth the Moabite and the Blessing of Foreigners. CBQ 60 (1998) Moore-Keish, Martha L. Ruth 2. Int 64 (2010) Murphy, Roland E. Towards a Commentary on the Song of Songs. CBQ 39 (1977) The Unity of the Song of Songs. VT 29 (1979) Niccacci, Alviero. Syntactic Analysis of Ruth. Liber annuus 45 (1995) Novick, Tzvi. Wages from God: The Dynamics of a Biblical Metaphor. CBQ 73 (2011) O Connor, Kathleen M. Lamentations and the Tears of the World. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, Parry, Robin A. Lamentations. The Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Parry, Robin A., and Heath Thomas, eds. Great Is Thy Faithfulness?: Reading Lamentations as Sacred Scripture. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, Parsons, Greg W. Guidelines for Understanding and Proclaiming the Book of Ecclesiastes. Part 1. BSac 160 (2003) Guidelines for Understanding and Proclaiming the Book of Ecclesiastes. Part 2. BSac 160 (2003) Guidelines for Understanding and Utilizing the Song of Songs. BSac 156 (1999) Partlow, Jonathan A. Tough Decisions in the Silence of God: Esther 4: Restoration Quarterly 35 (1993) Patmore, Hector Michael. The Plain and Literal Sense : On Contemporary Assumptions About the Song of Songs. VT 56 (2006) Peterson, Eugene H. Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Phanon, Panthakan. Double Ḥesed of God in Naomi s Life (Ruth 1:19-22). Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies 13 (2010) Pinker, Aron. Ecclesiastes: Part I: Authorship. Jewish Bible Quarterly 41 (2013) Polish, Daniel F. Aspects of Esther: A Phenomenological Exploration of the Megillah of Esther Revised December 17,

14 and the Origins of Purim. JSOT (1999) Prager, Yossi. Megillat Ruth: A Unique Story of Torat Hesed. Tradition 35 (2001) Provan, Iain W. Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Lamentations. NCB. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Reitman, James S. The Structure and Unity of Ecclesiastes. BSac 154 (1997) Rudman, Dominic. A Contextual Reading of Ecclesiastes 4: JBL 116 (1997) Woman as Divine Agent in Ecclesiastes. JBL 116 (1997) Ryan, Thomas. Sex, Spirituality, and Pre-Modern Readings of the Song of Songs. Hor 28 (2001) Salters, Robert B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Lamentations. The International Critical Commentary on the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. London; New York: T&T Clark, Jonah & Lamentations. Sheffield: JSOT Press, Yahweh and His People in Lamentations. In Covenant as Context: Essays in Honour of E. W. Nicholson, edited by A. D. H. Mayes and R. B. Salters, Oxford: Oxford University Press, Schwab, George M., Sr. Ecclesiastes and Counsel under the Sun. Journal of Biblical Counseling 15 (1997) Schweitzer, Carol L. Schnabl. Song of Songs: A Metaphorical Vision for Pastoral Care. Int 59 (2005) Segal, Eliezer. Human Anger and Divine Intervention in Esther. Prooftexts 9 (1989) Seow, Choon Leong. The Social World of Ecclesiastes. In Scribes, Sages, and Seers, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Shields, Martin A. Ecclesiastes and the End of Wisdom. Tyndale Bulletin 50 (1999) Siquans, Agnethe. Foreignness and Poverty in the Book of Ruth: A Legal Way for a Poor Foreign Woman to Be Integrated into Israel. JBL 128 (2009) Smith, Mark S. Your People Shall Be My People : Family and Covenant in Ruth 1: CBQ 69 (2007) Song, Angeline. Heartless Bimbo or Subversive Role Model? A Narrative (Self) Critical Reading of the Character of Esther. Dialog 49 (2010) Soulen, Richard N. Wasfs of the Song of Songs and Hermeneutic. JBL 86 (1967) Steele, Walter R. Enjoying the Righteousness of Faith in Ecclesiastes. Concordia Theological Quarterly 74 (2010) Stern, Elsie R. Esther and the Politics of Diaspora. Jewish Quarterly Review 100 (2010) Sutskover, Talia. The Themes of Land and Fertility in the Book of Ruth. JSOT 34 (2010) Tanner, J. Paul. The History of Interpretation of the Song of Songs. BSac 154 (1997) The Message of the Song of Songs. BSac 154 (1997) Tate, Jessica. Ruth 1:6-22. Int 64 (2010) Thompson, Thomas, and Dorothy Thompson. Some Legal Problems in the Book of Ruth. VT 18 (1968) Thompson, Thomas, and Dorothy Thompson. Some Legal Problems in the Book of Ruth. VT 18 (1968) Tiessen, Nathan. A Theology of Ruth: The Dialectic or Countertestimony and Core Testimony. Direction 39 (2010) Tran, Thi Ly. Expressions of the Particular Terms of Love in the Song of Songs. SJOT 25 (2011) Revised December 17,

15 Webb, Barry G. Five Festal Garments: Christian Reflections on the Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther. New Studies in Biblical Theology 10. Downers Grove, IL: Apollos/InterVarsity Press, Webster, Edwin C. Pattern in the Song of Songs. JSOT (1982) Wechsler, Michael G. Shadow and Fulfillment in the Book of Esther. BSac 154 (1997) Weiland, Forrest S. Historicity, Genre, and Narrative Design in the Book of Esther. BSac 159 (2002) Literary Clues to God s Providence in the Book of Esther. BSac 160 (2003) Literary Conventions in the Book of Esther. BSac 159 (2002) Plot Structure in the Book of Esther. BSac 159 (2002) Weisberg, David B. Character Development in the Book of Ruth. In Probing the Frontiers of Biblical Studies, Eugene, OR: Pickwick, Westermann, Claus. Lamentations: Issues and Interpretation.Translated by Charles Muenchow. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, Wetter, Anne-Mareike. How Jewish Is Esther? Or: How Is Esther Jewish? Tracing Ethnic and Religious Identity in a Diaspora Narrative. ZAW 123 (2011) Whitwell, Christopher. The Variation of Nature in Ecclesiastes 11. JSOT 34 (2009) Whybray, Roger N. Ecclesiastes 1:5-7 and the Wonders of Nature. JSOT (1988) Qoheleth, Preacher of Joy. JSOT (1982) Younger, K. Lawson. Judges and Ruth. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Ziegler, Yael. So Shall God Do... : Variations of an Oath Formula and Its Literary Meaning. JBL 126 (2007) Revised December 17,