Provisional Course Outline

P a g e 1 OT 511 Interpreting the Old Testament Provisional Course Outline Spring 2017 Carol M. Kaminski Wednesday/Friday, 9:30am 11:00pm Final Exam: TBA Email: kaminski@gordonconwell.edu Office Hours: TBA Provisional Course Outline 1. Course Objectives: The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to the methods and principles of interpreting the Old Testament, so that they might become effective preachers and teachers of God s word. This will be achieved through weekly homework assignments, in-class group discussion and peer review, a short five minute sermon, and a final paper. The goal of this course is that students might become knowledgeable of God s inerrant word, competent in its interpretation (Gordon-Conwell Mission Statement, Article 1). 2. Prerequisite: OL502 (or concurrently taking OL 502) 3. Required Textbooks: 1. Brown, A.P. and B.W. Smith, A Reader s Hebrew Bible (Zondervan: 2008), OR Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS). 1 2. R. Chisholm, Jr. From Exegesis to Exposition (Baker, 1998) 3. Soulen, R. N. Handbook of Biblical Criticism (John Knox Press, 1981). 4. J. Beckman, Williams Hebrew Syntax: An Outline (Univ. of Toronto Press, 1976; 3rd edit). Bible Software: if you do not have a Bible software program such as BibleWorks, Logos, or Gramcord/Accordance, you will need to purchase the following: Wigram, G.V., The Englishman's Hebrew Concordance of the Old Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press.,1980). 4. Highly recommended (selected readings have been assigned from these books): R.A. Mohler, P. Enns, M.Bird, K. Vanhoozer, J. Franke, Five Views of Biblical Inerrancy (Counterpoints: Zondervan, 2013). Stuart/Fee, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Zondervan, 1981). Stuart, D., Old Testament Exegesis (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1980). Cell Phones: Please turn off all cell phones before Internet use (whether on a phone or computer) is prohibited during class, but is permissible during breaks. 1 You will probably want to purchase these two Hebrew texts at some point. BHS is the standard Hebrew Bible, and it includes the critical apparatus. The RHB is extremely helpful, however, since it provides less common Hebrew vocabulary in the footnotes. You can use either Hebrew Bible for this

Week 1 first Week 2 first Week 3 first O T 5 1 1 I n t e r p r e t i n g t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t S p r i n g 2017 P a g e 2 Provisional Course Schedule Wednesday Feb 1 Course syllabus and expectations Introduction to the exegetical steps Intro to Step 2: Literary Analysis Students to select exegesis paper topic by Friday Wednesday Feb 8 Exegesis Paper: first draft of Step 2 due : Literary Context (bring hard copy for peer review). Intro to Step 1: Translation and Text Criticism In-class practicum: Exegetical steps on Exod 20:8-11 (Sabbath) Wednesday Feb 15 Exegesis Paper: first draft of Step 1 due : Text and Translation (bring hard copy for peer review). Intro to Step 3: Grammatical Analysis In-class practicum: Exegetical steps on Lev 20:10-13 (sexual ethics) Week 4 Wednesday Feb 22 Friday Feb 3 continued: Literary Analysis Reading due next Tues: Chisholm, Chs. 1 2; Soulen (J, Yahwist; P, Priestly Code, Elohist, Documentary Hypothesis). Translation of Exod 20:8-11 begins in class Friday Feb 10 continued: Translation and Text Criticism Reading due next Tues: Chisholm, Ch. 3; Soulen (Text Criticism, Masoretic Tet, Septuagint, Kethib/Qere, Tanakh, Vulgate, Critical Apparatus, Targum). Guest Lecturer: Jim Darlack Bible Software Friday Feb 17 continued: Grammatical Analysis Reading due next Tues: Chisholm, Ch. 5; Soulen (Chiasmus, Syntax, Metanarrative, Pericope, Discourse Analysis) Friday Feb 24 Week 5 first Week 6 first Wednesday March 1 Exegesis Paper: first draft of Step 3 due : Grammatical Analysis (bring hard copy for peer review). Intro to Step 4: Word Studies In-class practicum: Exegetical steps on 1 Chr 13:7-10 (God as holy) Wednesday March 8 Exegesis Paper: first draft of Step 4 due : Word Studies (bring hard copy for peer review). Intro to Step 5: Authorship In-class practicum: Exegetical steps on Deut 28:9-12 (prosperity) Friday March 3 continued: Word Studies Guest lecturer: Jim Darlack on Bible software Reading due next Tues: Chisholm, Ch. 4; Soulen (Concordance, Intertextuality). Friday March 10 continued: Authorship Reading due next Tues: Chisholm, Ch. 6. Week 7 first Wednesday March 15 Exegesis Paper: first draft of Step 5 due : Authorship (bring hard copy for peer review). Intro to Step 6: Historical Context In-class practicum: Exegetical steps on Jer. 31:31-33 (new covenant) Week 8 Wednesday March 22 Final draft of Steps 1 5 due Monday, March 20 Friday March 17 continued: Historical Context Reading due next Tues: Chisholm, Ch. 7. Friday March 24

O T 5 1 1 I n t e r p r e t i n g t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t S p r i n g 2017 P a g e 3 Week 9 first Week 10 first Week 11 first Week 12 first Wednesday March 29 Exegesis Paper: first draft of Step 6 due : Historical Context (bring hard copy for peer review). Intro to Step 7: Biblical-Theological Analysis practicum: In-class practicum: Exegetical steps on Mal 3:8-12 (tithing) Wednesday April 5 Exegesis Paper: first draft of Step 7 due : Biblical-Theological Analysis (bring hard copy for peer review). In-class practicum: Exegetical steps on Prov 7:7-10 (wisdom/purity) Intro to Steps 8, 10: Cultural Exegesis and Apply the Text Wednesday April 12 Exegesis Paper: first draft of Step 8 due : Cultural Exegesis (bring hard copy for peer review), plus one minute intro to sermon (peer reviewed) Exegesis Paper: first draft of Step 10 due : Apply the text (bring hard copy for peer review) Intro to Step 9: Explain Wednesday April 19 Exegesis Paper: first draft of Steps 9 due : Explain the text (bring hard copy for peer review). Class discussion on Inerrancy and why it matters Week 13 Wednesday April 26 Sermons Friday March 31 continued: Biblical-theological Analysis Reading due next Tues: Chisholm, Ch. 8. Friday April 7 continued: Cultural Exegesis Reading due next Tues: Chisholm, Ch. 9; Soulen (Eisegesis) Friday April 14 No class GOOD FRIDAY Reading due next Wed): J. Mohler s Article on Inerrancy in Five Views of Inerrancy. Friday April 21 Sermons begin Exegesis Paper: Final draft of Steps 6-10 due Friday, April 21 Friday April 28 Sermons Week 14 Wednesday May 3 Final Exam 5. Course Requirements 5. 1 Weekly exegetical assignments and class participation on exegetical steps and readings Since this class is primarily concerned with teaching exegetical method (rather than simply being a lecturebased class), it is essential that you have the opportunity to work on each exegetical step on your own prior to Accordingly, weekly exegetical steps and readings are assigned for each class; they will be reviewed and discussed in Incomplete and inadequate preparation prior to class will result in 3-5 points being deducted from your final grade. Please note that you are required to submit your reading/exegetical log (as per the syllabus) when you take the final exam. For your Hebrew translation, no computers are allowed.

O T 5 1 1 I n t e r p r e t i n g t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t S p r i n g 2017 P a g e 4 5.2 Final Exam [20% of final grade] The final exam will comprise of a series of short answer or multiple choice questions based on the following: a) Hebrew translation of select passages; b) basic definitions from Soulen; d) questions on interpretation of the Old Testament, the text of the OT, and on Inerrancy. Definitions from Soulen s Handbook of Biblical Criticism, which you will be tested on in the final exam: Acrostic Apocrypha Biblical Criticism Biblical Canon Canonical Chiasmus Theology Criticism Concordance Critical Apparatus Deuterocanonical Deuteronomistic History Diachronic/ Synchronic Discourse Analysis Documentary Hypothesis Doublet Eisegesis Elohist Exegesis Form Criticism P; Priestly Code, Hermeneutic P Document Historical- Intertextuality J (Yahwist) Kethib/Qere Literary LXX Masoretic Text Critical Method Criticism Metanarrative Meter Infallibility Narrative P: Priestly Parallelism Paraphrase Criticism document/writer Pericope Reader-response Redaction Rhetorical Rib pattern Sensus Plenior Septuagint criticism Criticism Criticism Shema Sitz-im-Leben Source Criticism Syntax Tanakh Targum Tetragrammaton Text Criticism Typology Variant Reading Verbal Inspiration Vulgate Wellhausen 5.3 Exegetical Paper [60% of final grade] Your primary task in this course is to learn Hebrew exegesis skills, with the goal of preparing sermons and Bible studies in the local church context. A different exegetical step is assigned each week. You are required to bring a hard copy of your first draft of the weekly assignment to class on the due date; it will be reviewed by your peers, but it will not be graded until you submit your final draft. Failure to have a hard copy of your first draft for each step in class will result in a grade penalty for the assignment. Each week the class will break into groups for peer review of the weekly assignment. Your final draft should incorporate some of the feedback from your peers. Final draft of steps 1 5 are due on Monday, March 20 (hard copy to be placed outside my office door). Final draft of steps 6-10 are due on Friday, April 21 (hard copy placed outside my office door). 5.4 Five minute sermon [20% of final grade] All students are required to give a five minute (maximum time; a buzzer will go off after four minutes, and you will have one minute left to conclude the sermon). This will be done toward the end of the semester. SELECTED PASSAGES FOR THE EXEGESIS PAPER You are to select one passage from the list below (at least 4 people working on each text) for your exegesis paper (you will have already completed some preliminary exegetical work on your passage in class): 1. Exodus 20:8-11 (Sabbath) 2. Leviticus 20:10-13 (sexual ethics/homosexuality) 3. 1 Chronicles 13:7-10 (God s holiness and judgment) 4. Deuteronomy 28:9-12 (blessing/prosperity/borrowing, the old covenant) 5. Jer. 31:31-34 (new covenant) 6. Malachi 3:8-12 (tithing) 7. Prov 7:7-10 (sexual purity/wisdom)

O T 5 1 1 I n t e r p r e t i n g t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t S p r i n g 2017 P a g e 5 Exegetical Steps Step 1: Translation: [1 page, single spaced, with footnotes] This entails your own translation of the text, plus you are to comment on any text critical issues in the footnotes, along with your notes on 3-4 English translations, noting the various ways the text is translated, and giving the reason for your translation of key terms or phrases. Begin with the Hebrew Text at the top of the page using BHS or RHB, but include footnotes commenting on the textual variants (you will need to use the critical apparatus in BHS); b) the Hebrew text is to be immediately followed by your own translation, which should include footnotes noting how English Bibles translate the passage (e.g. NIV, NRSV, NASB) and reasons for your translation. Step 2: Literary context: [3/4 page, single spaced, with footnotes] Locate your passage in the book as a whole, noting where the passage occurs according to its literary context and why this is significant for interpretation. Cite chapters and verses when explaining where your passage fits in the book. Be sure to cite key commentaries. Step 3: Verse-by-verse Grammatical Analysis. [2 pages, single spaced, with footnotes] Consult several Hebrew grammars, such as Jouon, Gesenius, Waltke, and Williamson. Comment on any structural elements that are in your passage, and comment on the Hebrew narrative structure, noting any breaks in the narrative sequence. Step 4: Word Studies: [2 pages, single spaced, with footnotes] You are required to complete five words studies on key words from your passage. Cite the Hebrew term; provide a range of meaning for your word; cite biblical references to support the range of meaning; cite dictionaries (sparingly, only when insightful); summarize the meaning you think best fits in your passage, and note why it is important for interpretation. Step 5: Authorship [1 page, single spaced, with footnotes] Discuss the authorship of your passage; give a brief overview of scholarly views (use footnotes to cite sources); summarize your view of authorship, citing biblical texts to support your conclusion. In this section you need to interact with key commentaries. Step 6: Historical Context: [1 page, single spaced, with footnotes] In this section you will provide information about the historical context of the passage; note the time period when the events take place. You will want to interact with commentaries and articles, discussing any debated issues and important historical/ane and archaeological background. Step 7: Biblical-Theological: [1 page, single spaced, with footnotes] Comment on any important theological issues arising from the passage, noting how your passage contributes theologically to our understanding of key aspects of the faith. If your text is cited elsewhere in the Bible, explain how this contributes to our understanding of the passage, both for the OT and the NT. Step 8: Cultural Exegesis: [3/4 page, single spaced, with footnotes] Comment on one or two issues in our culture that your passage addresses. Provide evidence from the culture to support your observations about the culture, and show how the biblical text addresses/confronts/informs this aspect of the contemporary culture. Step 9: Explain the Passage (2 pages, single spaced, verse by verse; no footnotes, no Hebrew).

O T 5 1 1 I n t e r p r e t i n g t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t S p r i n g 2017 P a g e 6 You are required to write a two-page, single-spaced summary of your passage (12 pt font), comprising of a verse-by-verse section that incorporates all of your exegetical insights (include Bible references where helpful), but this is to be in non-technical language. The goal of this step is to explain the biblical passage clearly and concisely in light of your exegetical work (no footnotes in this section). Step 10: Apply the Passage (1 page, single spaced; no footnotes). In this section you are to provide one or two key areas of application for your passage. In this section you will be incorporating not only your cultural exegesis section, but you will also be incorporating your exegetical insights as you explain the meaning of your passage for. Bibliography: [single spaced, no page limit; not included in word count/pages] It is expected that you will consult major commentaries and scholarly work on the passage, as well as key articles related to your passage. Plagiarism: Be aware that the seminary has a strict policy on plagiarism (see the Student Handbook). Be certain to footnote all sources used, giving credit where credit is due. If I find that you have not adequately cited sources, you will automatically receive a Fail grade for the paper and it will be returned to you, and it may need to be reviewed by the seminary judiciary committee. For further information on what constitutes plagiarism, see the following website: www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html Due dates: see schedule above. Your final exegetical steps are to be submitted as a hard copy, including your first drafts. Late penalties will apply, except in the case of special circumstances (eg. personal illness, bereavement etc.). If you are facing some unforeseen difficulties, please come and see me. Selective Bibliography on Language Resources Alter, R., The Art of Biblical Narrative (New York: Basic Books, 1981). Arnold, B., and J. Choi, A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax (Cambridge University Press, 2003). Averbeck, Beall, Collins, Davis, Hamilton, Longman, Turner, Walton, Reading Genesis 1 2: An Evangelical Conversation (Hendrickson, 2013). Beall, T.S. and W. Banks, Old Testament Parsing Guide (Chicago: Moody, 1986). Bergen, R.D. ed., Biblical Hebrew and Discourse Linguistics (SIL; Eisenbraus, 1994) Botterweck, Ringgren, and Fabry, Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament (Eerdmans), 15+ volumes. Brotzman, E.R., Old Testament Text Criticism: A Practical Introduction (Baker, 1994). Brown, F., S. Driver, C. Briggs eds. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press., 1951). Holladay, W. L., A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971). Joüon, P. A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew (revised ed.; trans. and rev. by T. Muraoka (Rome: Editrice Pontificio Istituto Biblico, 1993). 2 Volumes. Kautzsch, E. and A. E. Cowley, eds. Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar (2nd. ed.; Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1999 [1910]). Longacre, R.E., Joseph: A story of divine providence: A text theoretical and textlinguistic Analysis of Genesis 37 and 39 48 (Eisenbrauns, 1989). Waltke B.K. and M. O'Connor, An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax (Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 1990). Williams, R. J. Hebrew Syntax: An Outline (Toronto: Univ. of Toronto Press, 1976). Wolde, Ellen van, ed., Narrative Syntax and the Hebrew Bible (Brill, 2002).

O T 5 1 1 I n t e r p r e t i n g t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t S p r i n g 2017 P a g e 7 SAMPLE OF EXEGESIS PAPER EVALUATION FORM Exegesis Paper Evaluation Name: Passage: 1. Text & Translation: Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs more work 2. Literary Context: Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs more work 3. Grammatical Analysis: Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs more work 4. Word Studies: Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs more work 5. Authorship: Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs more work 6. Historical Context: Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs more work 7. Biblical-Theological: Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs more work 8. Cultural Exegesis: Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs more work 9. Explain the text: Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs more work 10. Apply the text: Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs more work Additional Comments: Additional Comments on Exegesis Paper: