Content

This unit will guide students in the study of significant social and theological themes within the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Themes such as creation, covenant, family, the body, the poor, gender, food, land, justice, the state, power, hope, spirituality, to name a few. These themes will be examined within their original literary, historical and cultural contexts and evaluated for their relevance to contemporary times and practice.

Unit code: BA9069P

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Provide a critical and coherent analysis of selected theological themes in the Hebrew Bible

2.

Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the cultural, social, historical, literary, religious contexts in which they originated

3.

Critically evaluate scholarly interpretations of these themes

4.

Exhibit the ability to relate the study of the selected themes to a broader understanding of the texts and theology of the Hebrew Bible

5.

Critically analyse the relevance of these themes to the contemporary context of church and society.

Unit sequence

15 points of introductory study in Old Testament / Hebrew Bible

Pedagogy

online lessons, forum and tutorial engagement

Indicative Bibliography

  • Allen, Leslie C. A Theological Approach to the Old Testament: Major Themes and New Testament Connections. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2014.
  • Birch, Bruce C. et al. A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. 2nd edition. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005.
  • Brueggemann, Walter. Reverberations of Faith: A Theological Handbook of Old Testament Themes. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2002.
  • Dyrness, William A. Themes in Old Testament Theology. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1980.
  • Gravett, Sandra L., et al. The Hebrew Bible: A Thematic Approach Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2008.Knierim, Rolf P. The Task of Old Testament Theology: Substance, Method and Cases. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995 (Recommended for purchase)
  • Matthews, V, H. Old Testament Themes. Atlanta, GA: Chalice, 2000
  • Perdue, Leo G., and et.al. Families in Ancient Israel, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 1997.
  • Seibert. Eric A. Disturbing Divine Behavior: Troubling Old Testament Images of God. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2009.
  • Waltke, B. K. An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007.

Note: detailed reading suggestions will be provided based on the selection of themes in any given year.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

A Thematic essay – 4000 words

0 70.0
Book Review 0 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-04 09:22:09 +1100