Logos Evangelical Seminary OTS554 Poetic Books & Wisdom Literature Spring, 2018 Chloe Tse Sun, PhD ( 謝挺 ) Chloesun@les.edu http://www.chloesunphd.com (626) 571-51 ext 125 Course Description This course introduces Poetic Books and Wisdom Literature in the First Testament. Attention will be given to the literary genre, content, and theological significance of the Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. The course will also address inter-biblical connections of these books and their places in the Hebrew canon. Course Learning Outcomes At the end of this course, students will be able to: Spirituality Knowledge Ministry & Life Course Objectives 1. To reflect on the lessons of Psalms and Poetic Books and its effects on one s spirituality 1. To analyze a particular passage or theme from these 5 books 2. To teach a particular theme of these 5 books creatively 1. To reflect on the lessons of these 5 books and its effects on one s life and ministry Assessment 1. Scripture Reading and Reflection Paper 2. Class discussion 1. Final Project 2. Group project 1. Scripture Reading and Reflection Paper 2. Class discussions 3. Field trip 4. Fun project Course Requirement Scripture Reading and Reflection Paper 20% Group Project 30% Fun Project 20% Final Project 30% Total 0% Grading Scale A 93.5-0 A- 90.0-93.4 B+ 86.5-89.9 B 83.5-86.4 B- 80.0-83.4 1
Textbooks: 1. 黃儀章, 活出智慧人生 : 舊約智慧書信息研究, 香港 : 天道,2004 2. Tremper Longman III, How To Read the Psalms. Downers Grove, Ill. IVP, 1988 ( 朗文著, 區信祥譯, 心靈的迴響 : 詩篇的信息與研究方法, 天道 :1997) 3. William P. Brown, Character in Crisis: A Fresh Approach to the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1996. Recommended Books: 1. Tremper Longman III, The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom. Grand Rapids. Mich.: Baker Academics, 2017. 2. 謝挺, 慧於神 : 箴言 約伯記 傳道書靈修日引, 香港 : 天道書樓,2013. 3. 謝挺, 雅歌 : 情牽永約, 香港 : 明道社,2016. Other Class Policies 1. No extra credit work is allowed. 2. Any form of cheating or plagiarism (including using part of someone else s paper as your own, using another paper of your own for another class, citing others without giving credit) will receive 0 point for the assignment. 3. All papers are due at 11:59PM on the respective due date. 4. Late papers:% deduction for one day. Assignments Scripture Reading and Reflection (20%): Students are to write one paragraph of reflection for each section of the scripture reading. The reflection should include personal interactions with Scripture or questions raised from the text. Total: 7 paragraphs about 150 words each. Psalms 73-90 Job 1-21, 38-42 Proverbs: 1-9, 31 Ecclesiastes 1-12 Song of Songs 1-8 Group Video Project (30%) Students will form 3-4 people @ group and work on a teaching project in the video form. Each group will present their teaching for 12 minutes in class. I will grade on the content and presentation of the teaching. Each member of the group will receive equal grade for this assignment. Preferably, there will be 5 group, each devoted to one biblical book. Each group will choose from one of the following topics: a. Make a teaching video on a Psalms of Praise or a theme in the Psalms b. Analyze Watchman Nee s ( 倪柝聲 ) Song of Songs and critique its interpretation and effect on the Chinese interpretations of the Song of Songs c. Identify an ethical issues involved in the Book of Job and how to interpret it d. Make a video on the question What is a good life in Ecclesiastes? e. Make a video teaching on a theme in Proverbs 2
Fun Project (20%) For this project, you may choose one of the following options. a. Compose a song and lyrics on Psalms and Poetic Books b. Draw or paint an art work on Song of Songs c. Write a 2000-word reflection after visiting Rose Hills d. Make a video about Ecclesiastes and Me e. Write a book report about 2000 on a book you read on Psalms and Poetic Books f. Compose a poem on the five books g. Integrate your profession with the 5 books and write a 2000-word reflection paper. For example, if you are a business man, write lessons you learned from Proverbs regarding how to handle finance or how to do business God s way. If you are a housewife, write a reflection paper on how that role affects your understanding of Proverbs 31 woman. h. Watch the following video (about 30 minutes) and write a 2000-word reflection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsszyhwd_wy&t=s You may also suggest other fun project, but it needs professor s approval. I will grade the project based on creativity and how well the content reflects the message of the Scripture. Final Project: Paper or Sermon(30%) Students can choose a research paper or a sermon as the final project. The paper should have about 4500-5000 words. There should be a clear thesis statement. You should consult 7 or more resources with proper citations, limit 2 online resources. You should not use any paper from other courses for this assignment. If you choose a sermon, make sure you have application and illustration as well, 4500-5000 words. You should consult 7 or more resources with proper citations, limit 2 online resources. You should not recycle an older sermon for this assignment. Students should start working on the paper and the sermon at least a month before the due date. Suggested Topics for the Final Paper: 1. How do different genres of the Psalms contribute in our worship? 2. An exegetical and theological analysis of a specific Psalm 3. What is the place of lament in Christian worship? 4. What is the shape of the Psalter and its implications for Christians? 5. Research on the theologies of the Psalms 6. How do Proverbs teach us about family relationships? 7. What does the Book of Proverbs teach about money management? 8. How does the Book of Proverbs portray God? 9. How to become a wise person based on the Book of Proverbs?. How does the woman of excellence in Proverb 31 reflect Proverbs 1-9? 11. What is the meaning of suffering in the Book of Job? 12. What is the theology of the Book of Job? 13. What is the portrayal of God in the Book of Job? 14. What is the role of three friends in the Book of Job? 15. Is the Book of Job about human suffering? 3
16. The meaning of the Book of Ecclesiastes 17. Life and death in the Book of Ecclesiastes 18. Time in the Book of Ecclesiastes 19. The concept of fearing God in Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes 20. What is the place of the Song of Songs in the First Testament? 21. Research the history of interpretation of the Song of Songs in a particular period 22. How to preach the message of the Song of Songs at church? 23. How to preach Christ from Proverbs? 24. How to preach Christ from Ecclesiastes? 25. How to preach Christ from Job? 26. What are the contributions of Psalms and Poetic Books in the whole Scripture? 27. What would the church loss if the Book of Psalms is not there? 28. What would the church loss if Psalms and Poetic Books are not there? Rubrics for Grading the Final Paper Needs Work Average 0-6 points 7 Points Cover Page Introduction Thesis Statement Organization Supporting Evidence Analysis Missing or misspelling more than 3 items Introduce without Did not explain the purpose and no argument The structure is not clear. Four elements are either missing or misaligned Inadequate evidence to support thesis Inadequate discussion of topic, lack Missing 2-3 items or misspell 2-3 words Introduce with less Purpose and/or argument lack The structure is not clear. Three elements are not aligned Provide some evidence to support thesis Some discussion of topic, Good 8-9 Points Missing one item or has one false spelling Introduce with most Purpose and/or argument with most Structure is clear and logical. One or two elements are not aligned in the paper. Provide adequate evidence to support thesis Provides discussion of topic, some Excellent Points Shows topic, names of students and professor, course title, date Introduce the topic, method, and thesis statement with Explains the purpose of the paper and presents an argument with The paper is well structured with introduction, body, conclusion. Arguments based on the thesis. Conclusion summarizes the body. Provide convincing evidence to support thesis statement. Provides detailed discussion of topic, interacts with Points Award ed 4
interaction or interpretatio n of research result Mechanics More than 5 grammatical, syntactical or factual errors Tone References Format The tone is inappropriate for the research paper Lack of evidence of synthetic research, has 5 or more errors in citations 5 or more errors in lack either interaction or interpretatio n of research results 3-5 grammatical, syntactical or factual errors The tone lacks professional ism Evidence of synthetic research but 3-4 errors in citations 3-4 errors in interaction with published resources and some interpretation research results A few grammatical, syntactical or factual errors The tone is professional but not consistent Evidence of synthetic research but 1-2 errors in citations 1-2 errors in published resources, interprets research results. No grammatical, syntactical, or factual errors. The tone is consistently professional and appropriate for an academic research paper. Evidence of synthetic research, accurate citations All accurate and follows the professor s instructions Rubrics for the Sermon Need work 6-0 points Introduction Boring, not engaging Enunciation Appearance Manner Lack enunciation 3 or more areas short of proper attire Awkward or distracting gesture Average 7 point Has introduction but lacks engaging Some areas need enunciations 2 areas short of proper attire Nervousness, distracting gesture Good 8-9 points Proper introduction but needs to be more engaging A few unclear enunciations 1 area short of proper attire Calm, controlled Excellent points Grab the attention, engaging, creates the need to listen Clear enunciation Proper attire, groomed hair Perfect calm, controlled Points awarded 5
Structure Conclusion Illustration Application Footnote Bibliography Lacks logical structure Does not follow the content of the sermon Lack illustration or inappropriate to the points Lack of application or inappropriate application 4 or more errors in 4 or more errors in Clear, logical 2 points need work Stress the central theme, but add extra point or distraction Stretched, not tight illustration(s) Applicable but not doable or not follow the points 2-3 errors in 2-3 errors in Clear, logical, 1 point needs work Stress the central theme, clear but 1 area need improving Appropriate to the points, need to be more engaging Applicable, but too general 1 error in 1 error in Clear, logical, easy to follow Stress the central theme, clear, convincing Appropriate to the points, engaging, relevant Applicable, practical, specific, doable, follow the points Cite with accuracy and correct Cite with accuracy and correct Bibliography * In the reference section of the library, not available for check out. Psalms Allen, Ronald B. And I will Praise Him. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1978 ( 中文版 : 蘭隆納 讚美 : 詩篇的認識和欣賞, 詹正義譯 美國活泉出版社,1982) *Anderson, Bernard W. Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak for Us Today. 3 rd ed. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox, 2000. Brown, William P. Seeing the Psalms: A Theology of Metaphor. Louisville, London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002. Brueggemann, Walter. Praying the Psalms. Winona: Saint Mary s Press, 1993. *. The Psalms and the Life of Faith. Edited by Patrick D. Miller. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995. *Brueggemann, Walter. The Message of the Psalms: A Theological Commentary. 6
Augsburg Old Testament Studies. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984. * 中文版 : 白如格文著, 范約翰譯, 生命的對話 : 詩篇信息, 香港 : 道聲,1988 Janowski, Bernd. Arguing with God: A Theological Anthropology of the Psalms. Westminster John Knox, 2013. Miller, Patrick D. The Lord of the Psalms. Westminster John Knox, 2013. Stuhlmueller, Carroll. The Spirituality of the Psalms. Collegeville, Minn.: The Liturgical Press, 2002. *Westermann, Claus. Praise and Lament in the Psalms. Trans. Keith R. Crim and Richard N. Soulen. Atlanta: John Knox, 1965.. The Psalms: Structure, Content and Message. Trans. Ralph D. Gehrke. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1980.. The Living Psalms. Trans. J. R. Porter. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1989. Wright, N.T. The Case for the Psalms: Why They Are Essential. Harper One, 2013. 唐佑之 詩中之詩 (8 集 ) 香港 : 浸信會神學院,1999-2003 楊牧谷 從哀傷到歡呼 : 詩篇與人生 ( 第二版 ) 更新資源,2000 鄺炳釗, 詩篇一 二十篇 : 稱頌顧念人的神, 香港 : 明道社,2008 Job Clines, David J. A. Job 1-20. Word Biblical Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989. Dow, Thomas Edward. When Storms Come: A Christian Look at Job. MMS. Wipf & Stock. 20. *Gutierrez, Gustavo. On Job: God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent. Trans; Matthew J. O Connell. 6 th Printing. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003. Habel, Norman C. The Book of Job: A Commentary. OTL. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1985. Nam, Duck-Woo. Talking About God: Job 42:7-9 and the Nature of God in the Book of Job. New York: Peter Lang, 2003. Newsome, Carol A. The Book of Job. NIB. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996. 7
Perdue, Leo G. Wisdom in Revolt: Metaphorical Theology in the Book of Job. JSOTSup 112. Sheffield: The Almond Press, 1991. Schifferdecker, Kathryn. Out of the Whirlwind: Creation Theology in the Book of Job. Harvard Theological Studies 61. Mass: Harvard University Press, 2008. Seow, Choon-Leong. Job 1-21. Ilumination. Eerdsmans: 2013. Westermann, Claus. The Structure of the Book of Job: A Form-Critical Analysis. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1981. Zuckerman, Bruce. Job the Silent: A Study in Historical Counterpoint. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991. 吳獻章, 擱淺的日子, 台北校園 :2011. Proverbs Aitken, K. T. Proverbs. DSB. Westminster John Knox, 1986. Clifford, Richard J. Proverbs. OTL. Westminster John Knox, 1999. Estes, Daniel J. Hear, My Son: Teaching & Learning in Proverbs 1-9. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1997. Fox, Michael V. Proverbs. Anchor Bible Commentary. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2000.. Proverbs. Anchor Bible Commentary. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009. *Longman, Tremper III. How to Read Proverbs. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2002. ( 朗文著, 謝青峰譯, 如何讀箴言, 香港 : 友友文化事業,2006 ). Proverbs. BCOTWP. Baker, 2006. Waltke, Bruce K. The Book of Proverbs Chapters 1-15. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2004.. The Book of Proverbs Chapters 16-31. NICOT. Eerdmans,. Yoder, Christine Roy. Proverbs. Abingdon OT Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon, 2009. 劉少平, 一步一步學箴言作智慧人 ( 上下 ), 使者 :2009. Ecclesiastes Brown, William P. Ecclesiastes. Interpretation. Louisville: John Knox Press, 2000. 8
Fox, Michael V. Qoheleth and His Contradictions. Sheffield: Almond, 1989.. Qoheleth: JPS Commentary. Jewish Publication Society, 2004. Longman, Tremper III. Ecclesiastes. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1998. Murphy, Roland E. Ecclesiastes. WBC. Nelson/Paternoster, 1992. Poetic Books, Chloe Sun, Ph.D. Seow, Choon-Leung. Ecclesiastes. The Anchor Bible. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1997. Sun, Chloe. Ecclesiastes Among the Megilloth: Death as the Interthematic Link. BBR 27.2 (2017): 185-206. Whybray, R. N. Ecclesiastes. NCB. Sheffield/Marshall Pickering, 1989. 謝慧兒, 傳道書 : 試看人生, 香港 : 明道社,2005 Song of Songs Alexander, P. S. "The Song of Songs as Historical Allegory: Notes on the Development of an Exegetical Tradition." Targumic and Cognate Studies: Essays in Honour of Martin McNamara. eds. Cathcart, K. H. and Maher, M. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press (1996): 14-29. Davis, E. F. "Romance of the Land of Song of Songs." ATR 80 (1998): 533-546. Duguid, Iain M. The Song of Songs. TOTC Vol. 19. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Academic, 2015. Exum, Cheryl J. Song of Songs. OTL. Westminster John Knox/SCM, 2005. Fishbane, Michael. The JPS Bible Commentary: Song of Song. JPS, 2015. Griffiths, Paul J. Song of Songs. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Brazos Press, 2011. Hess, Richard. S. Song of Songs. BCOTWP. Baker, 2005. Keel, Othmar. The Song of Songs. CC. Fortress, 1994. Longman, Tremper III. Song of Songs. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2001. Meyers, Carol. Gender Imagery in the Song of Songs Pages 201-212 in The Feminist Companion to the Bible. ed. Athalya Brenner. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1993. Pope, Marvin. Song of Songs. AB. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1977. 9
Sparks, Kenton L. The Song of Songs: Wisdom for Young Jewish Women CBQ 70 (2008): 277-299. Tournay, Raymond Jacques. Word of God, Song of Love: A Commentary on the Song of Songs. Trans. J. Edward Crowley. New York: Paulist Press, 1988. 黃朱倫, 雅歌 香港 : 天道書樓,1997. 唐佑之, 雅歌誦詠 香港 : 香港浸信會神學院,2005. 梁家麟 我與誰親嘴 : 華人雅歌靈解研究 香港 : 宣道出版社,2001 謝挺, 恆久不息的寓意 : 簡述華人接受雅歌史 在 Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future: Essays from the 2014 International Congress of Ethnic Chinese Biblical Scholars (Edited by Gale A. Yee and John Y.H. Yieh; Hong Kong: Divinity School of Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2016), 217-246. Wisdom Literature Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Poetry. New York: Basic Books, 1985. *Brown, William P. Character in Crisis: A Fresh Approach to the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1996.. Wisdom s Wonder: Character, Creation, and Crisis in the Bible s Wisdom Literature. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2014. Crenshaw, James L. Old Testament Wisdom: An Introduction. 3 rd ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 20. * Curtis, Edward M. and John J. Brugaletta. Discovering the Way of Wisdom: Spirituality in the Wisdom Literature. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 2004. Estes, Daniel J. Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academics, 2005. Tremper Longman III and Peter Enns. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings. InterVarsity, 2008. Perdue, L. G. et al. eds. In Search of Wisdom. Louisville: WJK, 1993.. Wisdom Literature: A Theological History. London, Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2007. Von Rad, Gerhard. Wisdom in Israel. Nashville: Abingdon, 1972. 陳俊偉 謝文郁 樊美筠 東西方的人生智慧觀 香港 : 天道,2005
Week Date Course Schedule Due Date 1 1/23 1. Introduction to the Course 2. Psalms: Introduction 3. Psalms: Canonical Shape 2 1/30 1. Psalms: Lament 2. Psalms: Poetry 3 2/6 1. Psalms: Prayer 2. Psalms: Imprecatory Psalms 3. Psalms: History 4 2/13 1. Psalms: Worship 2. Psalms: Mission 3. Psalms: Messianic Psalms 5 2/20 Proverbs: Introduction Proverbs: 1-9, 31 6 2/27 Proverbs: Themes and Theology 7 3/6 Job: Introduction Job: Chaps 1-2 Scripture Reflection Due (20%) Group Project presentation #1 8 3/13 Spring Break 9 3/20 Job: Dialogue with 3 friends Job: Elihu 3/27 Job: God s speeches Job: Epilogue Group Project presentation # 2 Group Project presentation #3 11 4/3 Ecclesiastes: Introduction Group Project #4 12 4/ Ecclesiastes: Messages (Rose Hill) Group Project #5 13 4/17 Song of Songs: Interpretations Fun Project Due (20%) 14 4/24 Song of Songs: Lyric Poetry on Love 15 5/1 Final and Fun Project Presentations 5/11 Final Project Due (30%) 11