Biblical Studies. Old Testament
OT551. Daily Life in Ancient Israel
Credit, three hours. (Borowski)
Everyday life in ancient Israel (1200–586 BCE), including economy, religion and culture, city planning, the Israelite kitchen, burials, the status of women, and the like.
OT552. The Exodus and the Settlement of Canaan
Credit, three hours. (Borowski)
This course looks at the primary descriptions of these events in the Bible and examines their impact on the Israelites. The archaeological record will be examined thoroughly to see whether it supports the biblical narratives. Records from surrounding cultures also will be examined to determine whether there is any evidence for these occurrences in extra-biblical materials.
OT601. Genesis
Credit, three hours. (Faculty)
Study of selected texts in Genesis, using diverse methods and with special attention to literary and theological issues.
OT602. Exodus
Credit, three hours. (Faculty)
Study of selected texts in Exodus, using diverse methods and with special attention to literary and theological issues.
OT605. The Book of Deuteronomy
Credit, three hours. Prerequisite: OT501 or equivalent. (Faculty)
An exegetical study of the book of Deuteronomy focusing on the book’s strategies of repetition, revision, and rhetoric. Deuteronomic theology and its pivotal importance in the Old Testament will also be treated.
OT616. Job
Credit, three hours. (Faculty)
Detailed exegetical and hermeneutical explorations of the book of Job, including modern responses to the issues raised by the book.
OT617. Psalms
Credit, three hours. (LeMon)
An exegetical study of the book of Psalms with special attention to the Psalms’ rhetoric and theology and their function as prayer. (OT617CEE when offered as a Contextual Education elective)
OT619. The Book of Ecclesiastes
Credit, three hours. (Faculty)
An exegetical study of the book of Ecclesiastes with special attention to: (1) its placement in the Wisdom Literature and the larger canon of scripture, (2) its theology, and (3) its resonance with contemporary issues and discourses.
OT622. Jeremiah
Credit, three hours. (Wright)
An exegetical study of the book of Jeremiah with special attention to its role as a prophetic text.
OT630. Hebrew Exegesis
Credit, three hours. Prerequisite: BL511/512 or equivalent. (Faculty)
An introduction to exegesis of the Hebrew Bible using the original language and with reference to selected texts from representative genres. (OT630J. Hebrew Exegesis: Jeremiah [Wright].)
OT633. Ezekiel
Credit, three hours. (Kemp)
An exegetical study of the book of Ezekiel focusing on how the book addresses fundamental theological questions, including the reasons for human suffering and what it means to be in a covenantal relationship with God.
OT637. The Ten Commandments
Credit, three hours. (Bonfiglio)
This course explores the historical, ethical, and theological dimensions of the Ten Commandments, with special attention to how they are engaged in popular culture and their on-going relevance for the church today. (OT637CEE when offered as a Contextual Education elective)
OT653. Ancient Israel’s Neighbors
Credit, three hours. (Nam)
The subject of this course is the neighbors of ancient Israel: the Philistines, Phoenicians, Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Arameans, and many others. These peoples were in close contact with ancient Israel and influenced its history, culture, economy, etc. We will study the cultures and histories of these peoples as they appear in biblical and extrabiblical texts, and as they are reflected in the archaeological remains uncovered in recent excavations.
OT659. Texts of Terror: Strategies for Interpreting Troublesome Texts from the Hebrew Bible
Credit, three hours. (Wright)
A course focusing on biblical texts that deeply trouble us, causing us outrage or pain.(OT659CEE when offered as a Contextual Education Elective)
OT660. Preaching Torah
Credit, three hours. Prerequisites: OT501 and P501. (Faculty) (Same as P660.)
The course provides an entrée into the problem and promise of Christian preaching of the Old Testament by focusing on the Torah, or first five books of the Bible. Taking inspiration from the polyvalent nature of the Hebrew word torah (“law, instruction, etc.”), the class attends to the different genres beyond just law that are found in the Pentateuch. Exegetical work on the three large Torah genres (narrative, law, poetry) will be conducted with an eye toward, and eventual fulfillment in, sermon writing and performance. In these ways, the course will attend to both big picture issues (the Pentateuch as a whole, Christian preaching of the Old Testament, the problem of law/ gospel) as well as to more detailed matters (specific books/texts/genres, exegesis, sermon production, etc.).
OT665. The Bible and Poverty
Credit, three hours. (Bonfiglio)
This course examines biblical views on and responses to poverty, including its various causes, dimensions (social, ethical, and theological), forms, and outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on how church leaders can use biblical frameworks not only to diagnose traditional models of benevolence and outreach but also to develop more effective and just poverty solutions.
OT670. The Bible and Care of the Earth
Credit, three hours. (Faculty)
An investigation of the relation between contemporary concerns for environmental ethics and texts from the Bible relevant to those issues. (OT670CEE when offered as a Contextual Education elective.)
OT698. Special Topics in Old Testament
Credit, variable. (Faculty)
Special topic or one-time offering courses led by Candler regular and visiting faculty. Prerequisites may be required and are noted on the course schedule when applicable.
