2. reflect on the Old Testament as an ancient document and its implications for interpretation.

Transcription

1 Northern Seminary OT 302B The Former Prophets MATM Cohort Winter 2017 Jason Gile, Ph.D. Affiliate Professor of Old Testament COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will acquaint students with the history, theology, and critical study of the Former Prophets of the Old Testament: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. The focus is the proper interpretation of its message to Israel and its abiding significance for the church. OBJECTIVES After this course students will be able to: 1. demonstrate a basic understanding of the history and theology of the Former Prophets of the Old Testament: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. 2. reflect on the Old Testament as an ancient document and its implications for interpretation. 3. understand the goals and methods of biblical historiography in its ancient context. 4. be familiar with the literary and artistic qualities of biblical narrative. 5. summarize the issues associated with writing a modern history of Israel. 6. understand how the exile and restoration of Israel serves as background for understanding the life and work of Jesus Christ. REQUIRED TEXTS: ALSO USED IN PART A The Bible in a modern translation, e.g., the NRSV, ESV, or NLT. 1. Goheen, Michael W. A Light to the Nations: The Missional Church and the Biblical Story. Baker, pages. $ ISBN Leuchter, Mark A. and David T. Lamb, The Historical Writings: Introducing Israel s Historical Literature. Fortress, pages. $ ISBN

2 3. Arnold, Bill T. and H. G. M. Williamson, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. InterVarsity, pages. $ ISBN (Abbreviated DOTHB in the course schedule) 4. Routledge, Robin. Old Testament Theology: A Thematic Approach. InterVarsity, pages. $ ISBN REQUIRED TEXTS: NEW FOR PART B 5. Wright, Christopher J. H. How to Preach and Teach the Old Testament for All Its Worth. Zondervan, pages. $ ISBN Wright, Christopher J. H. Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament. 2nd ed. InterVarsity, pages. $ ISBN RECOMMENDED TEXT 7. Bateman IV, Herbert W., and Darrell L. Bock, and Gordon H. Johnston. Jesus the Messiah: Tracing the Promises, Expectations, and Coming of Israel s King. Kregel, pages. $ ISBN COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Readings: Students are expected to prepare for each session by reading the assigned pages on time as indicated in the course schedule, including the biblical texts (prior reading does not substitute) and the secondary readings. 2. Videos: Students will watch short videos covering the course content, usually totaling less than 45 minutes per week. 3. Online Discussion: Students are required to participate in the online forums. Each week the professor posts starter questions online and students respond by interacting with the readings, classmates, and any other materials provided by the professor. The posts constitute 30% of the grade and are evaluated by critical engagement with the readings. Each week students are required to make one substantive posts and at least one response post. The substantive posts amounting to somewhere between 400 and 450 words should be directed towards the starter questions provided by the instructor. Students are expected to demonstrate engagement with the readings by citing and evaluating them. Each substantial post should include a follow-up discussion question for further discussion. The response posts should be directed toward the follow-up discussion questions provided by your classmates. They may be brief and need not cite the readings.

3 4. Quizzes: Students will take quizzes every other week consisting of multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer questions. You may not use course materials. Because you will have a limited amount of time to take each quiz, you must read and review the readings in advance. 5. Preaching Assignment: Drawing from three sources provided by the professor, students will write a list of 6-10 to-do s and not-to-do s when preaching and teaching OT narratives. Each point should have a couple sentences of explanation. Assignment should be minimum 1 full page and maximum two pages (single spaced with one space between each item of the list). Due at the end of week 1. The three sources are: Carol Kaminski, Preaching from the Historical Books [9] PDF Christopher Wright, How to Preach, [18] John and Kim Walton, Bible Story Handbook, [18] PDF 6. Papers: Students will write two short papers. Further instructions including bibliography will be distributed in class. a. 3-4 page paper describing the theology of Davidic kingship. Paper due at the end of week 5. b. 5-6 page paper describing the ending of the Old Testament with reference to three themes: Judgment Promise Restoration. Paper due at the end of week 10. Papers should be double-spaced with one-inch margins, using 12-point Times font. Students must follow the style guidelines found in Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (8th ed.; University of Chicago Press, 2013). Please contact me early in the course if you have questions about what is expected. WEEKLY SCHEDULE The course will follow a set schedule during the week. The professor will post the discussion questions Monday morning and students must post their substantive posts no later than Thursday at midnight. Further discussion (i.e., response posts) may continue into the weekend. You must take the quiz between Friday and Sunday. Discussion: Monday 10:00am Thursday 11:59pm (Central Time) Quiz: Friday 10:00am Sunday 11:59pm (Central Time) STUDENT EVALUATION 30% Online Posts 30% Quizzes Averaged 5% Preaching Assignment 15% Paper #1: Theology of Kingship 20% Paper #2: Ending of the OT

4 GRADING SCALE A = A- = B+ = B = B- = C+ = C = C- = D+ = D = D- = F = 59 and below COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE Week 1. The Desire for a King Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 1 15 Missional Story: Goheen, Light to the Nations, [7] Intro to the Book: Leuchter & Lamb, Historical Writings, , [10] Kingship: Leuchter & Lamb, Historical Writings, [8] Routledge, OT Theology, [8] DOTHB, Kings and Kingship, only (stop at 2.2.2) [10] Hamilton, Handbook, (Pro and Anti-Monarchy) [14] = 57 pp Preaching Assignment due Sunday Jan. 15 at midnight. Week 2. Saul and David Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 16 31, 2 Samuel 1 24 Content Reading: Leuchter & Lamb, Historical Writings, , [36] Richter, Epic of Eden, [11] DOTHB, Zion Traditions (skip 3.3) [6] = 47 pp Week 3. Theology of Kingship Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 7 Topical Reading: Routledge, OT Theology, [5] (Davidic Covenant) Richter, Epic of Eden, , [10] DOTHB, Davidic Covenant [6] Bateman et al., God s Covenant Promise to David [17] Bateman et al., Royal Psalms (Ps 2,110,132), 75-83, [24] = 62 pp Week 4. King Solomon Bible Reading: 1 Kings 1-11 Topics: Book of Kings Intro, Solomon, Temple [video] Content Reading: Leuchter & Lamb, Historical Writings, , [20] Topical Reading: DOTHB, Solomon s Temple [7] = 38 pp

5 Week 5. The Kings of Israel & Judah: History and Theology Bible Reading: 1 Kings 12-22, 2 Kings 1-17 History: Leuchter & Lamb, Historical Writings, ( ), ( ), ( ) [33] DOTHB, Assyrian Period, ( 2-5) [8] Theology: Cross, Canaanite Myth, [16] = 57 pp Digging Deeper: Prophets in the Book of Kings: Leuchter & Lamb 2.4 DOTHB, Isaiah [5] Paper #1 Due February 12 at midnight. Week 6. The Last Years of Judah: Judgment & Crisis Bible Reading: 2 Kings Content Reading: Leuchter & Lamb, Historical Writings, [13] Topical Reading: Goheen, Light to the Nations, [7] DOTHB, Assyrian Period, ( 6-8) [8] DOTHB, Babylonian Period [8] DOTHB, Zion Traditions ( 3.3) [2] Bateman et al. on Psalm 89, pages [4] = 42 pp Week 7. The Ending of the Old Testament: Restoration of Israel? Bible Reading: Ezra 1 3, 9; Nehemiah 1, 9, 13 Topical Reading: Goheen, Light to the Nations, [8] Routledge, OT Theology, [16] = 24 pp Digging Deeper: DOTHB, Zerubbabel [3] Patton, Ezra-Nehemiah and Restoration Prophecy [20] Week 8. The Messiah in the Old Testament Routledge, OT Theology, [23] Fitzmyer, The One Who Is to Come, [23] C. Wright, How to Preach, 26-33, [17] = 63 pp Going Deeper: Block, My Servant David, [40] Bateman et al., Jesus the Messiah, , Week 9. Jesus (Part 1): Suffering Messiah? Topical Reading: C. Wright, Knowing Jesus, chapter 4 [42] N.T. Wright, Crucified Messiah [22] = 64 pp Going Deeper: Bird, Jesus is the Christ (IVP, 2012)

6 Week 10. Jesus (Part 2): Jesus & Israel s Mission Topical Reading: C. Wright, Knowing Jesus, chapter 3 [31] C. Wright, How to Preach, [6] Goheen, Light to the Nations, 75-88, [23] = 60 pp Pro Tip: Read the rest of Goheen s Light to the Nations in your spare time Total reading = 514 pages Paper #2 Due Wednesday March 22 at midnight. Course Evaluation Due TOPICAL READINGS (Listed according to the Course Schedule) Hamilton, Victor P. Pages in Handbook on the Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, Esther. Baker, Richter, Sandra. Pages in The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament. InterVarsity, Johnston, Gordon H. Messianic Trajectories in God s Covenant Promise to David. Pages in Jesus the Messiah: Tracing the Promises, Expectations, and Coming of Israel s King. Edited by Herbert W. Bateman IV, Darrell L. Bock, and Gordon H. Johnston. Kregel, Johnston, Gordon H. Messianic Trajectories in the Royal Psalms. Pages in Jesus the Messiah: Tracing the Promises, Expectations, and Coming of Israel s King. Edited by Herbert W. Bateman IV, Darrell L. Bock, and Gordon H. Johnston. Kregel, Cross, Frank Moore. Pages in Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic: Essays in the History of the Religion of Israel. Harvard University Press, Fitzmyer, Joseph A. Pages in The One Who Is to Come. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, Wright, N.T. Crucified Messiah. Pages in The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is. 2nd edition. InterVarsity, Johnston, Gordon H. Pages or or or in Jesus the Messiah: Tracing the Promises, Expectations, and Coming of Israel s King. Edited by. Kregel, 2012.

7 READINGS FOR PREACHING ASSIGNMENT Kaminski, Carol M. Preaching from the Historical Books. Pages in Preaching the Old Testament. Edited by Scott M. Gibson. Baker, Walton, John H. and Kim E. Walton, The Bible Story Handbook: A Resource for Teaching 175 Stories from the Bible. Crossway, PLAGIARISM Plagiarism is the act of passing off as one s own the words or ideas of someone else without providing proper acknowledgment or documentation. Plagiarism may include, but is not limited to, the following: Submitting as one s own material copied, borrowed, or purchased from some other source. This includes, but is not limited to, downloading term papers from the internet, purchasing a paper from a term paper mill, reproducing parts or all of an article or book section, copying another student s paper, and so on. Copying verbatim or taking ideas from a source without providing documentation (i.e., footnote or quotation marks). Copying verbatim or taking ideas from a source and providing fraudulent or misleading documentation. Copying verbatim from a source without using quotation marks or a block quotation. When copied material is not properly identified with quotation marks, readers are led to believe that the material is the writer s own words, when in fact it is someone else s, which is the essence of plagiarism. Providing a footnote after copied material without using quotation marks is not adequate documentation and constitutes plagiarism. Paraphrasing material that is too close to the original, whether documented properly or not. A paraphrase is unacceptable if it merely changes a few words or transposes phrases or sentences in the original source, but retains the bulk of the text as it originally appeared. Since plagiarism is a form of claiming for ourselves what belongs to another, it constitutes an infringement on someone else s intellectual property and is a form of stealing. It is a very serious violation of Christian ethics and raises profound questions about fitness for Christian ministry. The seminary takes these matters extremely seriously and will take disciplinary action against those who engage in plagiarism. It is sometimes difficult to know whether or how to acknowledge and document certain kinds of material. When in doubt, consult Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8th ed., 2013, especially those sections dealing with using quotations

8 and footnotes. Students are expected to know and follow the guidelines in Turabian. Ignorance of them is no excuse. POLICIES FOR ALL MASTERS CLASSES NOTE: All communications from the seminary will go to your seminary account. Contact All Covered at (877) if you need help forwarding your seminary address to your personal address. As a seminary community we hold integrity/hospitality as core values. Individuals are able to do their best work and thinking when their peers are fully present and engaged. We expect each person to both participate in class and carefully listen to others with the belief that everyone s contribution is equally important. Therefore, the following policies have been established in order to provide clarity in regard to attendance expectations and relationships in the classroom. Diploma/Certificate Student Course Requirements The amount of work required of Diploma/Certificate students will be at the discretion of the professor. Students will be responsible for contacting the professor about what assignments are required. Class Attendance Policy It is expected that students will attend and participate in all class sessions. Failure to attend at least 80% of class sessions is grounds for automatic failure. A professor may set other attendance expectations. Students are always expected to communicate with a professor in advance if they will be absent. Attendance expectations are higher for online and intensive courses (see syllabus for specific requirements). Class Tardiness Policy The third time a student is late to the start of class, it will be counted as a class absence. It is also expected that students will return from a break by the time specified by the professor. Late Work Policy If a student cannot complete the work for a course by the due date listed on the syllabus, they must submit a Request for a Grade of Incomplete form to the Registrar by 4:30 of the last day of the term. The form must be signed by the instructor and Dean of Students. The professor may set stipulations and grade reductions. In the absence of a formal request form, the student will receive a grade based upon work completed by the last day of the term. Turabian Format All papers, including footnotes and bibliography, must be submitted in the correct format according to Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8 th ed., Plagiarism Plagiarism is the act of passing off as one s own the words or ideas of someone else without providing proper acknowledgement or documentation. See the Academic Honesty Policy in the Seminary Catalog for more information on plagiarism and how to avoid it.

9 Electronic Format Unless otherwise specified by the professor, all work submitted electronically must be in a Word document format (.doc,.docx). Technology Use in the Classroom Unless it is directly tied to note-taking or research for the class, students are expected to refrain from using cell phones, laptops, or other electronic devices during class. Course Evaluation in Moodle Students must complete an online course evaluation using the seminary Moodle system at The evaluation will be open at the end of the course. If you need assistance connecting to Moodle or accessing the evaluation, please send an to moodlehelp@seminary.edu.