SYLLABUS Major Themes in the Bible and the Qur an Winter/Spring 2016 Instructor Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub mayoub@hartsem.edu 215-300-2393 Teaching Assistants Nicolas Mumejian nmumejian@hartsem.edu Sami Shamma sshamma@hartsem.edu Major Themes in the Bible and the Qur an This course will engage the scripture of Christians and Muslims (Hebrew Scriptures, New Testament and Qur an) through a comparative reading of common themes. Similarities and differences of interpretation will be analyzed with reference to historical and modern forms of exegesis, attention being given to the social-cultural contexts in which scriptures and commentaries exist. Purpose of the Course: The course is designed to give students an opportunity to trace some of the most significant theological teachings of the Old and New Testaments and the Qur an. Biblical and Qur anic concepts of Creation, Revelation and Salvation will be examined. Within these three general rubrics doctrines of prophecy, repentance and forgiveness, love and justice will be analyzed to illustrate how these scriptures have expressed the relationship between human and divine and the moral responsibilities of humans to one another. Attention will be given to the definition of scripture, its function in worship and the moral and spiritual life of its faith-community. The ultimate aim of the course is to familiarize students with the three scriptures with objectivity and sensitivity. This will, it is hoped, help them to acquire the tools for the Art of Interfaith Dialogue with people of other faith traditions, particularly Jews and Christians. Readings: Students are expected to bring to each class session a version of the Bible (Old and New Testaments) and the Qur an. The New Revised Standard Version Harper Collins Study Bible (paper) is recommended, but other versions are acceptable such as the New Interpreter s Study Bible, copies are available in the IIIT Library.
Have read by the first class meeting the Introductory books to the Old and New Testaments by Johnson and Coogan, as cited below Please purchase the following four books: Coogan, Michael. The Old Testament: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2008 Johnson, Luke Timothy. The New Testament: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2010 al-kisa I, Muhammad ibnabd Allah (translated by Wheeler Thackston). Tales of the Prophets.Great Books of the Islamic World, Inc. 1997. Rahman, Fazlur. Major Themes of The Qur an (Second Edition). University of Chicago Press, 2009 Assignments: Each student taking the course for credit will be responsible for: 1. Reading and discussing in class the daily assigned materials. 2. Participating in general class discussions. 3. Providing brief reflections (1-page) on the reading for each day. Grading: Grades will be computed as follows: 1. Class attendance and participation, 10%; 2. Six daily reflection papers, - 30%, 3. The Firestone reflection is 10% 4. 8-10 page term paper, 50%. 5. Term papers are due within a month from the end of the course. Class Structure: First Weekend First day Introduction to the Course and introduction to the three scriptures Reading: Have read already the introduction books to the Old and New Testaments
Davis and Hays, Nine Theses on the Interpretation of Scripture in The Art of Reading Scripture p. 1-5 Second Day - Themes: 1 Creation and the infinite wisdom and power of God in the ordering of the universe and management of human affairs Scripture: Genesis 1 & 2; Psalm 8; Job 38-40 2 Revelation and prophecy McGrath, (Revelation) Ch. 2.41 Barth and 2.42 Brunner in The Christian Theology Reader p.146-149 Scripture: Exodus 19 20:1-21; 24:15-18; Isaiah 6; John 1:1-17; 3 Salvation: repentance and forgiveness, sin and atonement. Appropriate scriptural passages will be examined. Cox, Ch. 1 Repentance and Forgiveness: Christian Perspective in Repentance: A Comparative Perspective p. 21-30 Hart, Ch. 10 Redemption and Fall in The C.C. to Christian Doctrine p. 189-206 Repentance Scripture: Leviticus 26:40-42; Deuteronomy 4:28-31; Psalm 34:14-18; Luke 13:1-5; Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:9 Salvation Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15; Luke 22-25; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 21:1-8; 25:11-15; Third Day Major figures I. Abraham and His Children Abraham - Genesis 12:1-20; 15:1-18; 21:2-5,10-14; 22:1-19; Romans 4:1-3, 12-22; Galatians 3:6-18, 25-29; Hebrews 11:8-10,17-19 II. Moses and His Brother Moses: Exodus 2:1-10; 3-4:1-17; 11-12; III David and Solomon
Selections from 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 Kings IV Jonah Jonah (the whole book) Soulen, The Sign of Jonah in Theology Today 65 no 3 Oct 2008, pp. 331-343 Reading for in between the two weekends - Firestone, Reuven. Merit, Mimesis, and Martyrdom : Aspects of Shi'ite Meta- historical Exegesis on Abraham's Sacrifice in Light of Jewish, Christian, and Sunni Muslim Tradition. in Journal of the American Academy of Religion 66 no 1 Spr 1998, p 93-116. (prepare a written response of 2-3 pages) Second weekend First Day- 1 Creation and the infinite wisdom and power of God in the ordering of the universe and management of human affairs Rahman, ch. 4 Nature in Major Themes of the Qur an. Quran 2:29; 23:12-14; 41:10-12; 76:37-39 2 Revelation and prophecy Rahman, Ch. 5 Prophethood and Revelation in Major Themes of the Qur an Quran 2:97; 33:40; 42:52; 53:6-18; 56:77-80; 85:21-22; 96:1-5 Second Day- 3 Salvation: repentance and forgiveness, sin and atonement. Appropriate scriptural passages will be examined. Ayoub, Ch. 6 Repentance in Islam Tradition in Repentance: A Comparative Perspective p.96-121 Rahman, Ch. 6 Eschatology in Major Themes of the Qur'ān Repentance: Qur an 4:17-18; 4:48; 6:54; 7:156; 25:68-70; 39:53; 40:7; 46:15; 66:8 Salvation: Qur an 2:30-39; 7:7-25; 20:115-123; 101
Final Day - Major figures in the Three Scriptures I. Abraham and His Children Qur an 2:124-140; 3:67; 19:41-49 II. Moses and His Brother Qur an 2:49-61, 7:103-162; 10:75-93; 20:9-97: 79:14-25 III David and Solomon IV Jonah Qur an 37:139-148