Content

In this unit students will gain an overview of diverse approaches and methods employed in the interpretation of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible). These methods will be employed to consider the main theological themes such as creation, election, justice, covenant, mercy, prophecy, suffering, death, gender and ecology. Consideration will be given to the ways in which different scholars and traditions have understood the relationship between the Old and New Testaments.

Unit code: BA2309T

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Trinity College Theological School

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Learning outcomes

1.

Outline and apply established and recent interpretative methods needed for constructing an Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) theology

2.

Analyse texts with a view to identifying key theological themes in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible)

3.

Assess relationships between different theological themes of the Old Testament

4.

Review scholarly literature on a particular theological theme of the Old Testament

5.

Discuss the issues involved in employing Old Testament theological themes in the development of Christian theology

Unit sequence

Introduction to the Old Testament or equivalent

Pedagogy

Weekly readings and lectures, tutorial interaction, online lessons and formative feedback activities

Indicative Bibliography

  • Brueggemann, Walter. Truth Speaks to Power: The Countercultural Nature of Scripture. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013.
  • Davis, Ellen F. Imagination Shaped: Old Testament Preaching in the Anglican Tradition. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1995.
  • Dell, Katharine. Who needs the Old Testament?: Its Enduring Appeal and Why the New Atheists Don't Get it. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2017.
  • Dube Shomanah, Musa W., The HIV & AIDS Bible: Selected Essays. Chicago, IL: University of Scranton Press, 2008.
  • Fishbane, Michael A. T*he Garments of Torah: Essays in Biblical Hermeneutics*. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1989.
  • Hanson, Paul D. Political Engagement as Biblical Mandate. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co., 2010.
  • Henze, Matthias. * Mind the Gap: How the Jewish Writings Between the Old and New Testament Help Us Understand Jesus*. Minneapolis MN: Fortress Press, 2017.
  • Melcher, Sarah J. Ed. The Bible and Disability: A Commentary. Edited by Sarah J. Melcher, Mikeal C. Parsons and Amos Yong. Studies in Religion, Theology, And Disability. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2017.
  • Scholz, Susanne. Introducing the Women's Hebrew Bible: Feminism, Gender Justice, and the Study of the Old Testament. London: T & T Clark, 2017.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegesis

Exegetical Essay (2000 words)

0 45.0
Essay

Essay (1500 words)

0 35.0
Forum

Forum or tutorial sessions (equivalent to 1000 words)

0 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2018

Unit record last updated: 2019-02-08 14:58:41 +1100