REL 415 OT Topics: Old Testament Theology

Study of specialized topic of Old Testament; includes individual research projects under faculty supervision.
Offered every 3 years, in the fall ('07; '10)

Assignments

  1. Brief #1
    Due August 24
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    For each term, define each of these terms in relationship to the text and theology of the OT. Listing is acceptable. Reading(s): W. Brueggemann handout (posted online), pp. 8, 17, 35, 47, 117-20; McGrath Reader: Lessing, 4.26; Troeltsch, 4.33. 1. positivism 2. historical criticism 3. fideism 4. skepticism 5. word of God 6. Lessing’s ditch (dictionary entry-style / listing is acceptable)
  2. Brief #2
    Due August 27
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    What is the appropriate view of historical criticism for understanding the OT and OT theology? (i.e. to what degree should one accept/reject its claims?) Reading(s): W. Brueggemann handout (posted online), pp. 103-04; 726-29; Goldingay 1:39-41, 859-71; McGrath Reader: i. Rahner, 2.44; ii. Packer, 2.48; Torrance, 2.49
  3. Brief #3
    Due August 29
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    Did God create the world in six 24-hr days? Discuss/Defend/Explain. Were Adam and Eve real human beings? Discuss/Defend/Explain. Explain how would you handle these issues in a ministerial setting. Readings: Gen 1-2; Brisco “The Creation Narratives: A View from the Tell,” SWJT 40.3 (1998), pp. 49-64; Hayes, 5-24, 53-59; Goldingay 1: 876-83; McGrath Reader i. Guitiérrez, 1.31; ii. Calvin, 1.32; iii. Staniloae, 1.34; iv. Origen, 2.6; v. Bernard, 2.11; vi. Lefèvre, 2.14; vii. Luther, 2.15.
  4. Live Brief #1
    Due September 7
    Weight: 2% (25 points)
    The Hayes reading on 4 models of religion & science
  5. Brief #4
    Due September 10
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    Is myth a valid interpretation for understanding the OT and OT theology? (i.e. to what degree should one accept/reject its claims?) Readings: Goldingay 1: 878-83; McGrath Reader: i. McFague, 1.29; ii. Clement, 2.4; iii. Origen, 2.6; iv. Bultmann, 2.43; Joseph Campbell, Thou Art That, pp. 1-9; Brisco “The Creation Narratives: A View from the Tell,” SWJT 40.3 (1998), pp. 49-64.
  6. Briefs #5 & 6 (2pp)
    Due September 17
    Weight: 8% (100 points)
    Describe and detail the image of God (specifically its significance related to divine and human). What is the proper relationship between Gen. 1.27 & Gal. 3.28? Is one understanding more important than the other? Explain/Defend. Goldingay 1:98-117; 1:131-48; 1:176-79; 2:517-27; 2:543-45; 2:679-87; Hayes, 25-29; McGrath Reader: i. Tertullian, 6.4; ii. Origen, 6.5; iii. Lactanctius, 6.7; iv. Gregory of Nyssa, 6.10; v. Hildegard, 6.23; vi. Brunner, 6.50; vii. Mechthild, 6.56; viii. Hayter, 6.56
  7. Brief #7
    Due September 21
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    What is the OT view of the Sabbath? Define and delineate the proper application, for Christians, of the Sabbath in today’s society. (e.g. should Christians: a. eat out; b. shop; c. mow the lawn?). Gen 2.2; Ex. 16.22-30; Goldingay 1:120-30; Goldingay 2:523-25; 2:830-31; Swartley, Slavery, Sabbath, War, and Women handout.
  8. Live Brief #2
    Due September 24
    Weight: 1% (15 points)
    Swartley 3 views on the Sabbath.
  9. Briefs #8 & 9 (2pp)
    Due September 28
    Weight: 8% (100 points)
    Discuss the full implications of the first episode of sin in Genesis, commonly referred to as original sin and/or “the fall.” Additionally, address whether, according to the OT, death was/is intrinsic to creation (plants, animals, humanity) or whether the fall “brought” death to creation. Goldingay, 1:94-95; 1:119-20; 1:131-48; 1:159-61; 1:176-79; Goldingay 2:123-30; 2:254-71; 2:632-44; 2:711-21; Hayes, 87-99; McGrath Reader: Tertullian, 6.2, Tertullian, 6.3; Origen, 6.6; Ambrosiaster, 6.9; Gregory of Nyssa, 6.10; Augustine, 6.13, 6.14; Pelagius, 6.18; The Synod of Arles, 6.20; Luther, 6.34; Edwards, 6.47; Niebuhr, 6.53; Hampson, 6.55
  10. Live Brief #3
    Due October 3
    Weight: 2% (25 points)
    Lessing's Ditch and original sin.
  11. Brief #10
    Due October 10
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    Why is there something rather than nothing? Specifically, did God have to create the world? What does it say about God’s character to state that he is creative? Hayes, 41-59; see also prior Goldingay and McGrath readings.
  12. Brief #11
    Due October 15
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    Use Artstor to locate a work of art and meditate on its importance for OT theology: creation, flood, Abraham, etc. Name the author and date and discuss its theological meaning and importance. Include a printout of your selected work of art.
  13. Brief #12
    Due October 22
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    Read the Genesis passages pertaining to covenant (Gen 9; 12; 13; 15; 17). What is the theological importance and meaning of covenant in the OT? What bearing do the OT covenant passages have on 2007?
  14. Brief #13
    Due October 29
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    Read the passages pertaining to Pharaoh’s stubbornness and hardening (here are some key passages, but you may consult more than these: Ex 4.21-23; 7.2-23; 8.15, 19, 32; 9.12-34; 10.1, 20-27; 11.10; 14.8; 14.17-18; 33.19; Is 29.15-16). What are these passages teaching? What is the practical application of these episodes? Specifically: do these passages teach that God determine people’s responses and condition of their hearts?
  15. Brief #14
    Due November 5
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    Is the Exodus (12.31-14.31) an historical event? Defend/explain. How important is its historicity (or lack thereof)?
  16. Brief #15 (optional)
    Due November 9
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    Relate the importance of the Passover (Ex 12) to OT faith and theology and to Jesus' ministry. Spend approximately half the brief on each relationship.
  17. Brief #16
    Due November 12
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    What does the battle of Jericho teach about God's character and nature? (Josh 5.13-6.27).
  18. Presentations
    Due November 28
    Weight: 8% (100 points)
    Groups 1-3: Nov 28 Groups 4-6: Nov 30
  19. Participation
    Due December 2
    Weight: 4% (50 points)
    Participation= A= Excellent B= Good C= Average D= Poor
  20. Attendance
    Due December 2
    Weight: 0% (1 points)
    Perfect attendance is rewarded. Any absence past #3 is penalized 1% per absence from your final grade.
  21. Paper
    Due December 5
    Weight: 15% (200 points)
    Due Wed, 12/05, 9am to turnitin.com See posted document below (entitled: Research paper instructions)
  22. Final Exam, 12/05, 9am
    Due December 5
    Weight: 8% (100 points)
    A slight case of an essay question or two.

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