Spring 2007
Fuller Southwest-Tucson
OT504
Moore

 

OT504: WRITINGS.  Michael Moore.     

 

DESCRIPTION:

This course will survey the third major portion of the Old Testament (after Torah and Prophets). Within the Writings, this course will focus especially on the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. We will examine the setting and development of the lyric and wisdom traditions in the Hebrew Bible, their impact upon the New Testament, and their contribution to biblical theology.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:

Students completing this course will have learned how to interpret and understand the literary and historical features of the Writings. In addition, they will see more clearly the nature of the Bible as both human word and holy Scripture, they will learn how to use this portion of the Bible in their ministries, and they will move towards a deeper obedience to Scripture in their personal lives. 

 

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:

The diverse literature in the Writings offers unique resources for coping with life. Students completing this course will learn better how to offer practical, Òhow-toÓ observations about cultivating virtue and avoiding calamity. They will also be able to offer help to those living life Òat the edgesÓ where there is sharp, honest searching about the problems of innocent suffering and ultimate meaning. In addition, students will learn how to use the Psalms as an incomparable resource for worship-leading as well as counseling.

 

COURSE FORMAT:

Eight class meetings over ten weeks will provide 30 hours of in-class hours. Class time will be devoted to exegesis, lecture, creative participation exercises, DVD illustration, and group discussion.

 

REQUIRED READING:

á  Brown, William P. Character in Crisis: A Fresh Approach to the Wisdom Literature of the Old
Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.  179 pp. ISBN 0-8028-4135-X

á  Brueggemann, Walter. The Message of the Psalms. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1984. 206 pp.

á  ISBN 0-8066-2120-6.

á  Gutierrez, Gustavo. On Job: God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1987. 
178 pp. ISBN 0-88344-552-2.

á  Moore, Michael S. Ruth. New International Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament 5. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2000. 416 pp. ISBN 1-565632141

á  Peterson, Eugene. Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer. New York: Harper & Row, 1989. 
160 pp. ISBN 0-06-066512-2.

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

1.        Abstracts of Assigned Readings (5 pp.). 20%

2.        Exegetical Term Paper (12-15 pp.). 40%

3.        Final Exam (7.5 pp.). 40%

 

PREREQUISITES:

None.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

M.Div.: OTC; M.A.T: Biblical Studies; MACL: OT.

FINAL EXAMINATION:

Yes.