OT 502 – SemPM – Mod W-1– Fall 2010 – Monday evenings – Bethel Seminary – D. Howard
Dr. David M. Howard, Jr.Bethel Seminary
Fall 2010 – OT 502
SemPM, Mod W-1
Monday evenings, 8:00-10:00 pm / Office: A 209 / P.O. Box 7016
Office Hours: by appointment
Telephone: 651-638-6197
E-mail:
T.A.: Kyle Boyes ()
1 Samuel – Song of Songs
(OT 502)
Catalogue Description
“An examination of the books of 1 Samuel through Song of Songs, including the contents, major themes, and theological messages of each. Special emphasis is placed on the human and divine dimensions of the Kingdom of God, as well as continuity of themes with earlier Scriptures. Special attention also is given to legitimate ways of reading the Bible. This involves understanding the particular qualities of Hebrew poetic and wisdom texts, and developing a valid hermeneutic for interpreting them. Exposure to proper methods of interpreting Old Testament narrative texts is presupposed. Prerequisites: BT501/BI501 and OT501. St. Paul only. Four hours.”
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student shall be able to demonstrate
1. A thorough knowledge of the contents of 1 Samuel through Song of Songs.
2. A grasp of the major themes of these books, and how these fit the larger themes of the Old and New Testaments.
3. The basic skills of Biblical exegesis, including the special nature of Hebrew poetic texts.
4. A knowledge of relevant extra-Biblical materials, including a knowledge of their roles in exegesis and apologetics.
In addition, a goal of this course is to stimulate a love and appreciation for these portions of the Old Testament, and their use in Christian ministry.
Required Textbooks
1. The Bible. Any modern version is acceptable.
2. David M. Howard, Jr., An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books. Chicago: Moody, 2007. ISBN: 0802441556
3. C. Hassell Bullock, An Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books. Rev ed. Chicago: Moody, 2007. ISBN: 0802441572
Recommended Textbooks
1. Robert B. Chisholm, Jr. Interpreting the Historical Books: An Exegetical Handbook. Kregel, 2006. ISBN: 0-8254-2764-9
2. Mark D. Futato, Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook. Kregel, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-8254-2765-7
Required reading (articles):
Several articles are posted in Blackboard under “Course Documents – Published Articles.” See the schedule below for due dates.
Course Requirements
1. Reading (20%)
A. The entire contents of the books of 1 Samuel to Song of Songs are to be read, in any version desired. International students may read the Bible in their own language. Each book must be read at one sitting. This is an essential part of the course experience and may not be waived.
B. The corresponding chapters in each textbook are to be read on the days the Biblical books are covered.
All readings must be done by the week indicated in the Weekly Schedule. Please use the links under the Homework page as directed to submit your reading reports. Questions? Contact the course T.A., Kyle Boyes ().
2. Forums (5%)
Several discussion forums are scheduled in this course. These are an integral part of the class experience, and you will be graded on the degree of your participation as well as the incisiveness of your comments. The intent of these forums is to encourage class interaction, so please be creative, stimulating, trenchant, and wise in your comments!
Special Note: Please note that there is a short, pre-course posting due on the first day of class. See the schedule, below.
3. Worksheets (35%)
Eight worksheets are to be completed and submitted online (in Blackboard) before class time on the dates indicated. Please be sure also to bring a copy to class, in order to facilitate class discussion.
The worksheets usually will be on important passages, and most will cover a different aspect of the exegetical task (grammatical, literary, theological, practical, etc.). Because these worksheets will be discussed in class, late submissions are not accepted. (Circumstances that a congregation would accept for a pastor’s missing a Sunday sermon may allow for rare exceptions.) The lowest worksheet (or one missed) will be dropped.
4. Exams (40%)
Two unit exams (non-cumulative) will be given on the dates indicated below. They will cover the Bible reading, textbook readings, worksheets, and class lectures and discussions. These are out-of-class exams, to be taken online, under Blackboard. Further instructions will be given in class. Study guides for the exams are available in Blackboard.
Grading Summary
Reading / 20%Forums / 5%
Worksheets (7) / 35%
Exam I / 20%
Exam II / 20%
Total / 100%
Grading Scale
96-100 / A / 80-82 / C94-95 / A- / 78-79 / C-
91-93 / B+ / 75-77 / D+
88-90 / B / 72-74 / D
86-87 / B- / 70-71 / D-
83-85 / C+ / 0-69 / F
Academic Course Policies: Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document found on the Syllabus page in Blackboard. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.
Note on Computers: You are welcome to use a laptop computer for note-taking in class. However, as a courtesy to me and to your classmates, I request that you not use your computer for other purposes, such as game-playing, e-mailing, surfing the Internet, etc., during class time. Your cooperation in this will be greatly appreciated.
Special Note: Because of the obvious educational benefits to yourself, as well as common courtesy to others, regular and on-time class attendance are expected. Persistent lateness, or unexcused absences beyond two class periods, will result in a grade reduction. An average student should expect to invest ca. 100-120 hours in this class in order to achieve an average grade. Individual outcomes, of course, may vary.
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OT 502 COURSE SCHEDULE
NOTE 1: Unless otherwise indicated specifically in the instructions on a specific worksheet, no outside resources are to be used in completing any worksheets. These worksheets are to be exercises in your own research and skill development.
NOTE 2: Every effort has been made to even out the work load week by week, but some weeks’ work loads will of necessity be heavier than those of other weeks. You are encouraged to work ahead during weeks that the load is especially light. (Special note: The workloads in Weeks Two and Eleven are especially heavy.)
NOTE 3: There is a short pre-course assignment for the first day of class.
Sep 27 Course Introduction
Introduction to Old Testament Historical Narrative
“The Student, the Fish, & Agassiz”
Read: “The Student, the Fish, & Agassiz”
Forum: By class time, post a 100-150 word reaction to “The Student, the Fish, and Agassiz.” (If you did this in OT501, you must post a fresh reaction for this assignment.)
Sep 28-Oct 4 1-2 Samuel
Read: 1-2 Samuel
Howard, chs. 1, 5 (skim ch. 1; read ch. 5 on 1-2 Samuel)
Due: Worksheet 1 (Samuel Outline)
Oct 5-11 1-2 Kings
Read: 1-2 Kings
Howard, chaps. 6-7 (1-2 Kings)
Due: Worksheet 2 (on 2 Kings 17-18)
Oct 12-18 1-2 Chronicles
Read: 1-2 Chronicles
Howard, chap. 8 (1-2 Chronicles)
Due: Worksheet 3 (on 2 Chronicles 1)
Oct 19-25 Ezra-Nehemiah, Esther
Read: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Howard, chaps. 9, 10 (Ezra-Nehemiah, Esther)
Forum: Post a short notice about the two or three most significant things you have learned while studying Hebrew narrative. (100-150 words)
EXAM 1 Due: October 29 (Exam 1 covers 1 Samuel to Esther)
Oct 26-Nov 1 Introduction to Hebrew Poetry
Read: Psalms 1-72
Bullock, chap. 4 (Psalms)
Nov 2-8 Psalms 1 and 2
Introduction to the Psalter – I
Due: Worksheet 4 (on Psalm 1)
Forum: Post any reactions you have to your experience of studying Psalm 1 (50-100 words).
Nov 9-15 Introduction to the Psalter – II
Psalms: Praises
Read: Psalms 73-150
G. Wilson, "The Shape of the Book of Psalms," Interpretation 46 (1992), 129-42.
Due: Worksheet 5 (on Reading Psalms)
Nov 16-22 Psalms: Lament
Read: S. Carney, "God Damn God: A Reflection on Expressing Anger in Prayer," Biblical Theology Bulletin (Oct 1983), 116-20.
Due: Worksheet 6 (on Laments)
Forum: Post a short notice about the two or three most significant things you have learned while studying the Psalms. (100-150 words)
Nov 23-29 Introduction to Wisdom Literature
Proverbs
Read: Proverbs
Bullock, chap. 5 (Proverbs)
Due: Worksheet 7 (on H-K-M in Proverbs)
Nov 30-Dec 6 Wisdom in the Ancient Near East
Read: "A Man and His God" (ANET, 589-91); "The Babylonian Theodicy" (ANET, 601-4)
Job; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs
Read: Job; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs
Bullock, ch. 3 (Job); chs. 6, 7 (Eccles.; Song of Songs)
Due: Worksheet 8 (On Wisdom in the Ancient Near East)
EXAM 2 Due: December 10 (Exam 2 covers Job–Song of Songs)
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