Genesis-Song of Songs
BL511: 2 credit hours
Western Seminary – Portland Campus
Dr. Ray Lubeck
(503) 251-6422
Syllabus – Spring 2015
COURSE SCHEDULE
Monday nights, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. January 5-April 20, 2015
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will survey of the biblical books of Genesis through Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) with emphasis upon the major themes, motifs, and principles developed within these books in their canonical context.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Know the basic introduction to each book (theme, purpose, theological contribution and relevance).
2. Be able to identify and explain key canonical themes including the Abrahamic promise, the Kingdom of God, God’s redemptive program and the purpose of the law under the Old Covenant and its relevance for believers today.
3. Be able to explain the basic message of each book and the relevance for today.
4. Interact with the major interpretive and critical problems relative to the books being studied.
5. Learn the basic historical framework of the period from Abraham through the return from exile.
TEXTBOOKS
Bartholomew, Craig G. and Goheen, Michael W. The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story (Second Edition) ISBN: 978-0281073474 Retail Price: $21.00
You are encouraged to purchase these titles through the Amazon.com associate program; you may use the the search option found on the Western website under “Current Students/Portland”:
http://www.westernseminary.edu/students/portland
ONLINE CLASSROOM
This class has an online classroom. Your first class assignment is to access this website during the first week of the semester and take a simple quiz confirming your participation in the course. You will need to use the learning center to download the syllabus, course notes, study guides, and also to submit assignments.
To access the site, go to http://www.westernseminary.edu/classrooms/. Click on ‘login’ (on the right above the calendar), use your student number for your username, and the password you received from the school. For a replacement password, click on ‘forgot your password’ or contact Jon Raibley: . The on-line classroom will go live no later than the first Monday of the semester.
RESPONSIBILITIES
For all Students: Online Orientation (15 min.)
Before the end of the first Friday of the semester, you need to log onto the web classroom, download the syllabus for the course, and complete the report indicating that you have read and understand the course requirements. By federal law, we now need to ensure that students participate in classes for the full length of the semester. So failure to complete the online orientation on time may result in a grade penalty and may impact your financial aid eligibility.
Biblical Text Reading (2 Assignments)
The student will keep track of his/her reading on the supplied “Reading Log” sheet. For each chapter, enter: 0 if you did not read it entirely; check-minus if you skim-read it in its entirety; check if you read it carefully in its entirety, marked it, etc. in a serious fashion. Students will be reading only the assigned chapters of the biblical books we are covering in this course. Fill out the reading log (handed out in class). The student’s “Reading Log” will be handed in at the beginning of each of the exams. No make-up work will be allowed following those dates. (20 hours each=40 hours)
Reading in required textbook (8 hours)
The student will read pages 17-117 in Craig B. Bartholomew & Michael W. Goheen, The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story 2nd ed (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2014). In a written report, the student will then indicate:
1. Whether or not s/he has completed all of the assigned pages of the reading.
2. On the basis of the reading, the student will write out five significant insights gained from this text.
3. At least three questions generated by the reading.
Integration papers (2) (2@ 6 hours each=12 hours)
The student will write two integrative papers, connecting insights from the biblical texts with the field of counseling. These are the topics for your papers (see calendar for due dates):
· FOR GENESIS-2 KINGS: In the field of counseling, many problems stem from arise from sin, guilt, and shame. How we understand the Bible’s teaching on these matters will affect both clients and counselors. Using Genesis and Deuteronomy, what useful lessons from the text can be learned regarding the nature of “sin,” “guilt,” and “shame”? Address issues such as: What is it? Are there different kinds? How do these terms relate to one another?
· FOR PSALMS-2 CHRONICLES: In the book of Job, Job’s “peer counselors” step into his situation and are anything but helpful. Identify the errors you believe they made in what they said and did. Then, propose the strategies for how you would go about dealing with Job’s situation differently. The information may be written in short, bulleted paragraphs rather than a formal essay or paper.
Final Course Evaluation (15 min.)
Before the end of the last Friday of the semester, you will receive an email with a link to the final course evaluation. By federal law, we now need to ensure that students participate in classes for the full length of the class. So failure to complete the final course evaluation on time will result in a grade penalty and may impact your financial aid eligibility.
GRADING
This is the grading scale used throughout the seminary system.
A+ / A / A- / B+ / B / B- / C+ / C / C- / D+ / D / D-99-100% / 95-98% / 93-94% / 91-92% / 88-90% / 86-87% / 84-85% / 81-83% / 79-80% / 77-78% / 74-76% / 70-73%
Course Requirements
Required Assignments / Percentage / Estimated Time to CompleteBiblical Text Reading #1: Use the Reading Log #1 / 20 / 20 hours
Reading of Bartholomew & Goheen #1 / 20 / 8 hours
Integration Paper #1: Sin, guilt, shame in Gen. & Deut. / 20 / 6 hours
Biblical Text Reading #2: Use the Reading Log #2 / 20 / 20 hours
Integration Paper #2: Counseling lessons from Job / 20 / 6 hours
Totals / 100 / 60 hrs.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Jan. 5 Introduction; Torah
Jan. 12 Torah
Jan. 19 NO CLASS: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
Jan. 26 Torah
Feb. 2 Torah
Feb. 9 Former Prophets (Joshua – Kings) Reading of textbook Bartholomew & Goheen
Feb 16 Former Prophets (Joshua - 2 Kings) Integration Paper #1
Feb 23 Reflection Paper #1 Reading Report #1
Mar. 2 Psalms
Mar 9 Psalms
Mar 16 Psalms, Wisdom
Mar 23 NO CLASS: SPRING BREAK
Mar 30 Job, Proverbs
Apr 6 Ruth, Song of S., Eccles, Esther
Apr 13 Ezra-Neh., Chron. Integration Paper #2
Apr 12 Reflection Paper #2 Reading Report #2
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance and Late Assignments: Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Students who miss class are responsible for missed work. Absences and tardiness may impact a student’s grade. Students who anticipate an absence should discuss it in advance with the instructor. Students who miss more than 20% of the seat time for the class will not pass the course, without a request for and the completion of additional assignments. No late work is accepted for the two biblical text Reading Reports. Late work will be accepted for not more than seven days after the due date on reading of Bartholomew & Goheen and on integration papers, but will receive a full grade penalty. Exams must be taken when scheduled.
Copyright Violation and Plagiarism: Research in secondary sources for the written project is permitted and welcomed. However, any appropriation of either ideas or wording taken from other sources, whether print or electronic, must be properly footnoted. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism which can result in substantial grade reduction or failure. Any unauthorized copying or use of copyrighted materials, including downloaded files of various kinds, can result in criminal charges and fines. For a fuller explanation of these issues or WS's copyright policy, see the “Copyright Information and Cheating" sections of the Student Handbook: http://www.westernseminary.edu/academic/handbook-copyright
Incompletes/Extensions: The final deadline for submitting all course work is the last day of the semester as noted in the Academic Calendar and in the class schedule. In the case of serious illness, family emergency, or similar extenuating circumstances, the student may request an extension. A 1-3 week extension is typical in all except the most extreme cases, and some penalty for late work may apply. Under no circumstances will the student be given more than 5 weeks to complete all required coursework except by petition and approval of the Administrative Committee. (Extensions longer than 5 weeks are rare and should only be requested under extreme circumstances.)
If students face a personal emergency that requires requesting an extension going beyond the end of the semester, it may affect their ability to receive financial aid in the next semester, and they may face the possibility that their next semester’s course registrations will be cancelled. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance.
Audit/Enrichment Students: Enrichment students are encouraged, but not obligated, to participate in assignments and class discussions. Professors are not obligated to grade participation for these students, but may opt to do so depending on class size.
Statement on WiFi Services: Our community at Western Seminary is defined by our membership in the body of Christ. As we share common resources, we wish to do so with respect and consideration for others. Our IT department has created a strong and secure wireless internet network at each of our campus locations to enhance the student learning environment. Some of the considerations in developing our wifi networks have included providing excellent security (better than you’ll find at the local coffeeshop) and doing so within a budget that does not significantly impact tuition costs. Keeping costs low means that we don’t have an endless supply of bandwidth. We ask that you use the wifi network for academic purposes and avoid downloading large files or streaming video. Please be mindful that your internet use (both in class and on campus) can distract others or prevent them from accessing resources they need for their studies. We appreciate your participation in promoting thoughtful, considerate internet use on campus.
The Availability of Disability Services at Western Seminary: Western Seminary is committed to responding to the needs of students with disabilities as outlined in both the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Western students are assisted individually as their needs dictate. It is the responsibility of students with disabilities to identify themselves and the nature of the disability. Any student who has a disability should contact the seminary’s Disability (Section 504) Coordinator, Ashley Mitchell, at 503-517-1819/1-877-517-1800, ext. 1819. Her office is at the Portland campus. Appropriate forms will be provided and must be submitted to the Disability Coordinator’s office.
Bibliography for further study
General Reference Works for Hermeneutics & OT Study
Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative. New York: Basic, 1981.
Bar-Efrat, Shimon. Narrative Art in the Bible. Sheffield: Almond, 1989.
Baylis, Albert H. From Creation to the Cross: Understanding the First Half of the Bible. Portland: Multnomah, 1996.
Dorsey, David A. The Literary Structure of the OT: A Commentary on Genesis-Malachi Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999.
Dumbrell, William J. The Faith of Israel: A Theological Survey of the Old Testament 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.
Elwell, Walter [ed]. Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996.
Freedman, David Noel. The Unity of the Hebrew Bible. Ann Arbor: Univ. of Michigan, 1991.
House, Paul R. Old Testament Theology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1998.
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.
Kort, Wesley A. Story, Text, and Scripture: Literary Interests in Biblical Narrative. University Park: Penn State Univ., 1988.
Rendtorff, Rolf. The Canonical Hebrew Bible: A Theology of the OT. Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns/Deo Publishing, 2005.
—.The OT: An Introduction. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1985.
Ryken, Leland. A Complete Handbook on Literary Forms in the Bible. Grand Rapids: Wheaton: Crossway, 2014.
— & Longman, Tremper III. A Complete Literary Guide to the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999.
Sailhamer, John H. The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Composition, and Interpretation. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2009.
—. NIV Compact Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
Gary Edward Schnittjer. The Torah Story: An Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.
Sternberg, Meir. The Poetics of Biblical Narrative: Ideological Literature and the Drama of Reading. Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Press, 1985
Van Gemeren, Willem A., ed. New International Dictionary of OT Theology & Exegesis. 5 vols. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
Vanhoozer, Kevin [ed.]. Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005.
—. Is There a Meaning in This Text: The Bible, the Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.
Commentary Sets
Fox, Everett. The Five Books of Moses. Dallas: Word, 1983-1995.
Gaebelein, Frank E. [ed] The Expositor's Bible Commentary. 12 Vols. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981- .
Harrison, R. K. [ed] New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976- .
Hubbard, David Allan & Glenn W. Barker [eds]. Word Biblical Commentary. 52 Vols. Waco: Word, 1982- .
Commentaries on Individual Books
Genesis
*Borgman, Paul C. Genesis: The Story We Haven’t Heard. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2001.
McKeown, James. Genesis (2 Horizons OT Comm]. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.
Sailhamer, John H. “Genesis” pp. 1-284 in Expos. Bib. Comm. Vol. 2. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.
Waltke, Bruce K. Genesis: A Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.
Exodus
Childs, Brevard S. The Book of Exodus [OT Library].Philadelphia: Westminster 1974.
Durham, John I. Exodus [W.B.C.]. Waco: Word, 1987.
*Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. “Exodus” pp. 285-497 in Expos. Bib. Comm. Vol. 2. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.
Knight, George A. F. Theology as Narration: A Commentary on the Book of Exodus. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976.