Dr. David M. Howard, Jr. Campus P.O. Box 7016
Bethel Seminary Telephone: 651-638-6197
OT502DE - InMinistry E-mail:
Winter 2011 T.A.: Kyle Boyes
()
OT502DE 1 Samuel - Song of Songs
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.
Course Objectives
Cognitive Goals: Upon successful completion of this course, the student shall be able to demonstrate
- A thorough knowledge of the contents of 1 Samuel through Song of Songs.
- A grasp of the major themes of these books, and how these fit the larger themes of the Old and New Testaments.
- The basic skills of Biblical exegesis, including the special nature of Hebrew poetic texts.
- A knowledge of relevant extra-Biblical materials, including a knowledge of their roles in exegesis and apologetics.
Affective Goals: Beyond the cognitive (measurable) goals above, several affective goals are integral to this course:
1. That each student will hear God speaking today through the study of this portion of the Old Testament and be transformed in significant ways.
2. That each student will develop a love and appreciation for these Old Testament books and gain confidence for using them in Christian ministry.
Required Textbooks
- The Bible. Any modern version is acceptable.
- David M. Howard, Jr., An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books. Chicago: Moody, 2007. ISBN: 0802441556
- C. Hassell Bullock, An Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books. Rev ed. Chicago: Moody, 2007. ISBN: 0802441572
- Complete set of course lectures and devotionals (online in Moodle).
Recommended Textbooks
- 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
Course Handouts (found under “Course Documents”)
· J. Pritchard, "A Man and His God" (ANET, 589-91); "The Babylonian Theodicy" (ANET, 601-04).
· S. Carney, "God Damn God: A Reflection on Expressing Anger in Prayer," Biblical Theology Bulletin (Oct 1983), 116-20.
· G. Wilson, "The Shape of the Book of Psalms," Interpretation 46 (1992), 129-42.
Course Requirements
NOTE: Weekly submissions are due by 11:59 pm (Central Time) on Fridays of the given week, unless otherwise specified.1. Reading (20%)
- 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.
Note:All Bible and textbook readings must be done by the week indicated below. They must be accounted for each week using the forms posted in Moodle. (These appear as “quizzes” in Moodle.) Please submit reading reports as directed in Moodle.
- Two percent of your reading grade depends on completion of the course evaluation form at the end of the term. See the statement below for more on this.
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 throughout the term. 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!
3. Worksheets (35%)
Eight worksheets are to be completed and submitted on the dates indicated. These usually will be on important passages, and most will cover a different aspect of the exegetical task (grammatical, literary, theological, practical, etc.). You should complete your work on the worksheets before watching the lectures for that week, since the in-class discussions of the worksheets that you will see in the online lectures are based on the assumption that you have completed the work before the discussion.
Late submissions of worksheets are penalized four points per day (excluding Sundays), except for such circumstances that a congregation would accept for a pastor’s missing a Sunday sermon. The lowest worksheet (or one missed) will be dropped.
4. Exams (40%)
Two unit exams (non-cumulative) will be given, according to the schedule below. Procedures will be announced later for taking them. They will cover the Bible reading, textbook readings, worksheets, and class lectures and discussions. Study guides for these exams are posted in Moodle.
Academic Course Policies: Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document posted in Moodle. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.
Special Note on Course Load: 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.
Course Evaluations: Student course assessments are an important part of course development and enhancement. Professors use student feedback to modify courses and teaching approaches and the feedback is included in decisions on promotion and tenure for professors. In order to recognize the value of your input and to encourage you to provide that input, your completion of the course assessment electronically at the end of the course will be included as a factor in your final course grade.
Two percent of your reading grade is assigned when you complete the course evaluation.
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
OT 502 COURSE SCHEDULE – Winter 2011
NOTE 1: Weekly submissions are due by 11:59 pm (St. Paul time) on Fridays of the given week, unless otherwise specified.
NOTE 2: The course format depends heavily on your doing most of the work ahead of time. Please work at getting into a rhythm whereby you complete one week’s work by Friday, and begin the next week’s work by the next day (Saturday) or Monday, at the latest. 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.
NOTE 3: The work is listed below each week in roughly the order in which it should be done. Normally, you should read the Bible and textbook readings before watching the corresponding lectures. The worksheets must be done before watching the audio-video discussions on these.
Week 1 (Jan 10-14):
Topic: Introduction to Old Testament Historical Literature
A-V (1): Watch the introductory video clip, which introduces the course.
A-V (2): Watch the introductory devotional for this week.
Forum: By Tuesday, post an introduction to yourself, including
· where you live (and where you are from originally, if this is different)
· something about your family
· what type of ministry you are in
· how far along in Bethel’s program you are
· an interesting “factoid” about yourself that would not come out in most everyday conversations.
Read: Howard, chap. 1
A-V (3): Watch the introductory lecture on OT historical literature
Submit: Reading Report 1: Howard, chap. 1.
Week 2 (Jan 18-22): Note: This week’s assignments are due a day later, due to MLK Day.
Topic: 1-2 Samuel
Read: 1-2 Samuel
Howard, chap. 5
“The Student, the Fish, & Agassiz”
Do: Worksheet 1 (Samuel Outline)
Forum:
(1) By Thursday, post 100-150 words of your own reactions to your reading of 1-2 Samuel. This can be at either or both of two levels:
(a) Your reaction to reading entire books like 1-2 Samuel at one sitting. What was the experience like?
(b) Things that you noticed in 1-2 Samuel this time that you’d never seen (or appreciated) before.
(2) By Friday, post a 50-100 word reaction to the exercise of outlining 1-2 Samuel. Comment on any aspect of the task that you care to.
(3) By Saturday, post a 100-150 word reaction to “The Student, the Fish, and Agassiz.”
A-V: Watch the devotional for this week.
Watch all the lectures on 1-2 Samuel.
Submit: Reading Report 2: 1-2 Samuel; Howard, chap. 5.
Worksheet 1
Week 3 (Jan 24-28):
Topic: 1-2 Kings
Read: 1-2 Kings
Howard, chaps. 6-7
Do: Worksheet 2 (on 2 Kings 17-18)
Forum: ------
A-V: Watch the devotional for this week.
Watch all the lectures on 1-2 Kings.
Submit: Reading Report 3: 1-2 Kings; Howard, chaps. 6-7.
Worksheet 2
Week 4 (Jan 31 – Feb 4):
Topic: 1-2 Chronicles
Read: 1-2 Chronicles
Howard, chap. 8
Do: Worksheet 3 (on 2 Chronicles 1)
Forum:
(1) By Wednesday, post any questions or comments that you like about 1-2 Kings and/or 1-2 Chronicles in 100-150 words. (You must post something.)
(2) By Friday, post responses to any two of your fellow students’ postings (50-100 words each).
A-V: Watch the devotional for this week.
Watch all the lectures on 1-2 Chronicles.
Submit: Reading Report 4: 1-2 Chronicles; Howard, chap. 8. Worksheet 3
Week 5 (Feb 7-11):
Topic: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther
Read: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther
Howard, chaps. 9-10
Do: ------
Forum: ------
A-V: Watch the devotional for this week.
Watch all the lectures on Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.
Submit: Reading Report 5: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther; Howard, chaps. 9-10.
Submit: Exam I (by Monday, February 14)
EXAM I Due: Monday, February 14 by 11:59 pm
Week 6 (Feb 14-18):
Topic: Hebrew Poetry
A-V (1): Watch the lecture on Hebrew Poetry.
Do: Worksheet 4 (on Psalm 1—by Thursday)
Submit: Worksheet 4 (on Psalm 1—by Thursday)
A-V (2): Watch the lecture on Psalm 1. Watch this only after submitting Worksheet 4.
Forum: By Friday, post any reactions you have to your experience of studying Psalm 1.
Week 7 (Feb 21-25):
Topic: Introduction to the Psalter
Read: Psalms 1-72, 73-150 (two sittings)
G. Wilson, "The Shape of the Book of Psalms," Interpretation 46 (1992), 129-42.
Do: Worksheet 5 (on Reading Psalms)
Forum: By Thursday, post your answer to the first question on Worksheet 5. (You should submit the entire Worksheet 5 in Moodle separately.)
A-V: Watch the devotional for this week.
Watch the lectures on “Introduction to the Psalter – I & II.”
Submit: Reading Report 6: Psalms
Worksheet 5
Week 8 (Feb 28 – Mar 4):
Topic: Psalm Types: Praises and Laments
Read (1): Bullock, chap. 4
A-V (1): Watch the all lectures/discussions on praise & thanksgiving psalms
Read: S. Carney, "God Damn God: A Reflection on Expressing Anger in Prayer," Biblical Theology Bulletin (Oct 1983), 116-20
Do: Worksheet 6 (on Laments)
Forum: (1) By Wednesday, post your work on Worksheet 6 (both questions). Please also submit Worksheet 6 in Moodle separately.
(2) By Friday, post responses to any two of your fellow students’ postings.
A-V (2): Watch the devotional for this week.
Watch all the lectures/discussions on lament psalms
Submit: Reading Report 7: Bullock, chap. 4.
Worksheet 6
Week 9 (Mar 7-11):
Topic: Introduction to Wisdom Literature, and Proverbs
Read: Proverbs
Bullock, chap. 5
Do: Worksheet 7 (on H-K-M)
Forum: ------
A-V (1): Watch the devotional for this week
Watch the lecture on “Introduction to Wisdom Literature.”
A-V (2): Watch the lecture on Proverbs
Submit: Reading Report 8: Proverbs; Bullock, chap. 5.
Worksheet 7 (on H-K-M in Proverbs)
Week 10 (Mar 14-18):
Topic: Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Job
Read: Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Job
Bullock, chaps 6, 7, 3
"A Man and His God" (ANET, 589-91); "The Babylonian Theodicy" (ANET, 601-4)
Do: Worksheet 8 (on Wisdom in the Ancient Near East)
Forum: ------
A-V: Watch the devotional for this week.
Watch all the lectures on Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Job.
Take: Exam Two
Submit: Reading Report 9: Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Job.
Reading Report 10: Bullock chaps. 6, 7, 3.
Worksheet 8 (on Wisdom in the Ancient Near East)
Submit: Exam Two (by March 21)
EXAM II Due: March 21 by 11:59 pm
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