Assessment

Reflection exercise (500 words) 25% + Reflection exercise (500 words) 75%

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce learners to major Old Testament figures, in order to help prepare diaconal candidates for their future ministry of preaching on the biblical readings. In addition, understanding the biblical text will give insights into biblical spirituality and pastoral ministry. The first half of the course focuses on three key figures in Israelite tradition: Abraham, Moses, and David. Whereas Abraham is considered biological ancestor of the Jewish people, Moses can be regarded as the nation’s founder, while David originated the dynasty ruling Jerusalem for several centuries. The second half of the course introduces three prophets: Amos the preacher of social justice, Isaiah the critical advocate of the Davidic dynasty, and Jeremiah the weeping prophet of Jerusalem’s fall. The initial session introduces the module, including ways of reading the biblical text (exemplified in the Abraham story), while a further session explores the Genesis creation stories, with their fundamental perspectives on the cosmos, earth, and humanity.

Indicative Syllabus

1. The Abraham Story: Call, Covenant and Akedah (face to face)
2. The Moses Story 1: Call, Revelation of the Divine Name and Passover (online)
3. The Moses Story 2: Exodus, Decalogue, and Covenant (online)
4. The David Story: Anointing, Covenant, Sin and Forgiveness (online)
5. The Prophetic Legacy 1: Amos and Justice (online)
6. The Prophetic Legacy 2: Isaiah and Hopes for the Davidic Line (online)
7. The Prophetic Legacy 3: Jeremiah and the Fall of Jerusalem (online)
8. The Genesis Creation Stories: Cosmos, Earth, and Humanity (face to face)

Learning Outcomes

• — LO1 (Knowledge): Explain some of the main events and characters narrated in the Pentateuch and Prophets.
• — LO2 (Comprehension): Articulate the significance of certain key texts in the Pentateuch and Prophets; and indicate how these texts have been interpreted in Christian tradition.
• — LO3 (Application): Apply basic narrative approaches to selected episodes in the Pentateuch and Prophets and indicate their theological role in the lectionary for Sundays and seasons.
• — LO4 (Analysis): Express some insightful perspectives on the biblical text, especially in relation to pastoral situations, through a careful reading of biblical passages.
• — LO5 (Synthesis): Summarise a few key theological themes in the Pentateuch and Prophets (e.g., the creation, the exodus, and the biblical call for justice), and present the results clearly in writing.
• — LO6 (Evaluation): Demonstrate discernment regarding some problematic issues of interpretation within the biblical text.

Bibliography

• — Alter, R. The Art of Biblical Narrative. 2nd ed. New York: Basic Books, 2011. [Ebook]
• — Barton, John, The Bible: The Basics. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2019. [Ebook]
• — Barton, John, ed., The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Companion. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2016. [Ebook]
• — Barton, J., and J. Muddiman, eds., Oxford Bible Commentary. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. [Ebook].
• — Boadt, L., Reading the Old Testament. 2nd ed. New York: Paulist, 2012. [221.61 BOA]
• — Brettler, M. Z., How to Read the Bible. Philadelphia: JPSA, 2005. [221.61 BRE]
• — Browning, W.R.F. Oxford Dictionary of the Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. [Ebook]
• — Brueggemann, W. An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Canon and Christian Imagination. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003. [Ebook]
• — Caldwell, Elizabeth, I wonder: Engaging a child’s curiosity about the Bible. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2016. [Ebook]
• — Chapman, S. B., and M. A. Sweeney, The Cambridge Companion to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016. [Ebook]
• — Collins, J. J., A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007. [221.6 COL]
• — Coogan, M., Old Testament: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. [Ebook]
• — Coogan, M. D., ed., The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version: with the Apocrypha: ecumenical study Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. [Ebook]
• — Cook, J. E., Hear, O Heavens and Listen, O Earth: An Introduction to the Prophets. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2006. [Ebook]
• — Duggan, M. The Consuming Fire: A Christian Guide to the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2010. [221.6 DUG]
• — Durken, D., ed., The New Collegeville Bible Commentary: Old Testament. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2015. [Ebook]
• — Kelle, B. E., Telling the Old Testament Story: God’s Mission and God’s People. Nashville: Abingdon, 2017. [Ebook]
• — McKenzie, S., How to Read the Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. [Ebook]
• — Metzger, B. M., and M. D. Coogan, eds., The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. [Ebook]
• — Metzger, B. M., and M. D. Coogan, eds., The Oxford Companion to the Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993. [Ebook]
• — Puhala, B., and P. Turner, Guide for Deacons. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2011.
• — Sweeney, M. A., The Pentateuch. Nashville: Abingdon, 2017. [Ebook]
• — NB: This listing is an indicative bibliography of relevant books. Articles that are assigned readings for essays are normally posted on Moodle. The bracketed numbers after each item are the library shelf-marks.