This course examines the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) as an expression of the religious life and thought of ancient Israel, and a foundational document of Western civilization. A wide range of methodologies, including source criticism and the historical-critical school, tradition criticism, redaction criticism, and literary and canonical approaches are applied to the study and interpretation of the Bible. Special emphasis is placed on the Bible against the backdrop of its historical and cultural setting in the Ancient Near East.
The Parts of the Whole
The Hebrew Bible in Its Ancient Near Eastern Setting: Biblical Religion in Context
The Hebrew Bible in Its Ancient Near Eastern Setting: Genesis 1-4 in Context
Doublets and Contradictions, Seams and Sources: Genesis 5-11 and the Historical-Critical Method
Critical Approaches to the Bible: Introduction to Genesis 12-50
Biblical Narrative: The Stories of the Patriarchs (Genesis 12-36)
Israel in Egypt: Moses and the Beginning of Yahwism (Genesis 37- Exodus 4)
Exodus: From Egypt to Sinai (Exodus 5-24, 32; Numbers)
The Priestly Legacy: Cult and Sacrifice, Purity and Holiness in Leviticus and Numbers
Biblical Law: The Three Legal Corpora of JE (Exodus), P (Leviticus and Numbers) and D (Deuteronomy)
On the Steps of Moab: Deuteronomy
The Deuteronomistic History: Life in the Land (Joshua and Judges)
The Deuteronomistic History: Prophets and Kings (1 and 2 Samuel)
The Deuteronomistic History: Response to Catastrophe (1 and 2 Kings)
Hebrew Prophecy: The Non-Literary Prophets
Literary Prophecy: Amos
Literary Prophecy: Hosea and Isaiah
Literary Prophecy: Micah, Zephaniah, Nahum and Habbakuk
Literary Prophecy: Perspectives on the Exile (Jeremiah, Ezekiel and 2 Isaiah)
Responses to Suffering and Evil: Lamentations and Wisdom Literature
Biblical Poetry: Psalms and Song of Songs
The Restoration: 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah
Visions of the End: Daniel and Apocalyptic Literature
Alternative Visions: Esther, Ruth, and Jonah