COS 421 Bible IV: Prophets, Psalms, and Wisdom Literature

Syllabus and Assignments

Upper Midwest Course of Study School

Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa

Fall 2016

September 9, 10 and October 21, 22

Dr. Dennis Tevis, Instructor

319-572-1940

421 Bible IV: Prophets, Psalms, and Wisdom Literature

This course continues to examine the Word of God as it was expressed through

some of Israel’s prophets, psalms, and passages from the Book of Job.

Course Objectives

  1. A focus on the biblical message as a whole by integrating this year’s study with

previous study of the Bible.

  1. Greater familiarity with a number of the great passages in the designated books.
  2. Continuation of exegetical practice.
  3. Exploration of the assigned passages as relevant for preaching, mission, and

ministry by today’s pastor and congregation.

Books: Required Reading

Anderson, Bernard. (2000). Out of the depths: The Psalms speak for us today. 3rded. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

Boadt, Lawrence. (2012). Reading the Old Testament: An introduction. 2nded. New York: Paulist Press.

Also have a good, modern English Study Bible like The New Interpreters Study Bible or The Harper Collins Study Bible

A.Instructions

Read the pages assigned, take notes, and answer the questions in your own words, using complete sentences (unless otherwise noted). Do not quote extensively from the texts you read.

Digest the ideas and information, and then put them in your own words. If a question has more than one part, be sure to answer both parts.

Follow approximate length given for each item of written work. Your written work should be double-spaced, with a one-inch margin. Please use 12-point font. Do not use script, condensed, or all caps.

On each page of your work, include a header with your name, the class number, and the page number. Begin each new question on a new page, writing the number of that question at the beginning of your answer.

If you quote from a printed text, you must use quotation marks and note the source (including pages) in parentheses at the end of each usage. Quotations should never be more than a sentence or two long. Ideas and information should be stated in your own words, not in the words of the authors you have read. For assigned texts, you may abbreviate the titles by using the first letter of each word in the title. For example, if the source is Harper’s Bible Dictionary, then use (HBD, pp. 34-35). If you refer to books that are not listed on the class reading list, then you must give full bibliographic information.

Add a title page to each course of each module that includes a) the name and number of the course, and b)your name.

Submit your written work one week before classes begin. Assignments should be sent electronically. You may want to make a copy of assignment and bring it with you for your own use.

POLICY NOTE: Using other people’s materials without documentation, whether from a book, journal, teacher, another student, sermon service, or lectionary aid, is unacceptable behavior. Such activity, otherwise known as plagiarism, usually means failure for the course with notification sent to the Conference Course of Study Registrar and the Division of Ordained Ministry. Professors will report all instances of plagiarism to the Director of the Course of Study. The Director will arrange for a meeting with the professor and the student, and the student will be given opportunity to explain the situation. The Director, in consultation with the professor, will make a decision about what action is appropriate for a first instance of plagiarism. Such action could include, rewriting the material, or failure of the course. A brief summary of the meeting will be prepared by the Director, and placed in the student’s file in the Course of Study Office and kept there until the student completes the Course of Study Curriculum. If a second instance of plagiarism is documented, the student will fail the course and the Director will determine what other consequences may apply. (policy rev. 6/00)

B. Assignments

General Instructions

  1. Read the assigned biblical texts first.
  2. Read background material and commentary where necessary to answer the questions.
  3. In some cases, especially on the questions that ask you to reflect theologically, there may not be one “right” answer. When making theological claims, back up your answer with reference to the scriptural texts under discussion (i.e., from Genesis, Psalms, Job, Isaiah or Jeremiah, not the New Testament).
  4. The pages indicated with each question are the maximum number of pages allowed. Please do not write more than the assigned number of pages.

Specific Assignments

  1. Genesis 1-11 (Read Genesis 1-11)
  2. Compare (stylistically and theologically) Genesis 1:1-2:4a and 2:4b-3:24 [1 ½ pages].
  3. List and discuss briefly the major themes of Genesis 1-11. Support with examples from the texts of Genesis 1-11 [1 ½ pages].
  4. Describe images of God that are present in Genesis 1-11. Describe their complexity and development [2 pages].
  5. Job (Read the book of Job in one sitting)
  6. What is the importance of the prologue/epilogue in the book of Job? [1 ½ pages].
  7. Compare or contrast the position of the three friends on the one hand and Job on the other.
  8. Discuss some of the theological issues that are raised by the book of Job [1 ½ pages].
  9. Isaiah 40-55 (Read Isaiah 40-55)
  10. Describe the circumstances that precipitated the writing of Second Isaiah (Isa 40-55) [1 ½ pages].
  11. Re-read Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Discuss the identity of the servant and the servant’s mission [1 ½ pages].
  12. Discuss the four servant songs in Second Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; and 52:13-53:12) and their meaning for Christianity [2 pages].
  13. Jeremiah (Read the book of Jeremiah)
  14. Briefly discuss the following features of the book of Jeremiah:
  15. the historical events surrounding Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry;
  16. the theological tradition from which Jeremiah comes;
  17. the person of Jeremiah [2 pages].
  18. Read the book Out of the Depths by Anderson and write a five to ten page paper describing the main categories of Psalms outlined by Anderson and their characteristics. Suggest ways in which each kind of Psalm might be used in worship or ministry. Tell how you think the Psalms can speak for us today.

C. Grading System

Your grade will be determined by the quality, clarity and thoughtfulness of your pre-class written assignments, and your participation in class discussion. The grading breakdown is: 50% Pre-class written assignments 50% In-class discussion and participation

Grading Standards:

A=exceeds expectation for Course of Study)

B= expected quality for COS

C=passing work but not of expected quality

D=unacceptable quality

F = fail

E. HOMEWORK DUE DATE: One week before the first class session