OLD TESTAMENT

BOLD 101-05

HARDING UNIVERSITY

SPRING 2006

 

M-F     10:00-10:50      MCIN 233

 

Instructor: Dr. K. D. Stanglin

Office phone: 279-4620

Email: kstanglin@harding.edu

Website: www.harding.edu/kstanglin

Office hours: MW 3:00-4:00; TR 11:00-12:00, 1:00-4:00; MCIN 209

Office phone, hours, and email should suffice for class business.  Please don’t call me at home unless there is an emergency.

 

Course Description (from catalog):

A historical study.  Selected books and passages are given special attention in order to learn the message of the Old Testament for its day and for today.

 

Course Objectives:

In light of the university’s mission and objectives, the student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. List the OT books in correct canonical order.
  2. Give an intelligible, accurate, and chronological account of the major events of the OT.
  3. Responsibly interpret and apply passages of the OT.
  4. State the major theological themes and purpose of each book and of the OT as a whole.
  5. Articulate how these OT theological themes merge with those of the NT.

 

Required Course Textbooks:

Bible.  I prefer that you use either the NIV, TNIV, NASB, or NRSV.  Study Bibles are best.

 

Walton, John H. and Andrew E. Hill. Old Testament Today: A Journey from Original Meaning to Contemporary Significance. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004.

 

Bring these two books to each class meeting.

 

Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to attend classes regularly.  In the event of illness, family emergency, a school-sponsored activity, or an extenuating circumstance, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor as soon as possible of the reason for the absence.  A doctor’s or school nurse’s note is required for excusing personal illness.  Print a hard copy for my records.  N.B.: Excuses will not be accepted after “dead week.”

 

According to the policies stated in the university catalog (p. 25), the equivalent of one week of unexcused absences (5) is allowed in this class.  Each additional absence above 5 automatically reduces your final grade by three percentage points.

 

You will be considered tardy if you are not present when the roll is checked or if you leave during class.  2 tardies = 1 unexcused absence.

 

Students with Disabilities:

It is the policy for Harding University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law.  Therefore, any student with a documented disability condition (e.g. physical, learning, psychological, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations, must contact the instructor and TRIO Student Support Services at the beginning of each semester.  (If the diagnosis of the disability occurs during the academic year, the student must self-identify with the Disabilities Director as soon as possible in order to get academic accommodations in place for the remainder of the semester.)  The TRIO Student Support Services office is located in Room 109 of the Lee Academic Center, telephone, (501) 279-4028.

 

Academic Honesty:

Harding University places a high priority on honesty and a biblical commitment to truth.  Incidents of cheating, plagiarism, or any other activities deemed dishonest will result in penalties.  These penalties may range from failing the assignment to failing the course or dismissal from the school.  (According to Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, to “plagiarize” is to steal and use as one’s own the ideas, words, etc., of another.  Collaborating on written assignments that should be done individually would fall under this category of dishonesty.)

 

For more information on plagiarism, as well as helpful tips on library research, please visit http://quest.harding.edu/trek/choices.htm

 

Classroom Expectations and Decorum:

I expect all students to behave in a Christian manner in and out of the classroom.  Turn off all cell phones and pagers.  Do not eat food in the classroom.  Only drinks in spill-proof containers are allowed in class.  If you make a mess, it is your responsibility to clean it up or pay for it to be cleaned.

 

Class will be dismissed when I finish, not necessarily when the bell rings.

 

Course Requirements:[1]

1. Every student should carefully read the chapters of the Old Testament noted in the syllabus and the entire text by Walton and Hill (WH).  The student is responsible for all the information in the readings.  On the final exam, you will be asked to sign a statement indicating how much you actually read.

 

Each day you should be prepared to participate in and contribute to the class discussion of these texts.

2. The student should keep a notebook containing all lecture notes and handouts.

 

3. Nine reading quizzes will cover the noted sections of WH.  Pay attention to key terms, characters, and ideas.  There will be no make-up quizzes.  The two lowest quiz grades (or first two missed) will be dropped at the end of the semester.  175 pts. (25 pts. each)

 

4. You will be quizzed on your ability to list—in correct order and with correct spelling—the 39 books of the OT.  The quiz will be worth 50 points.  If you have more than two books out of order OR more than five spelling errors total, you must re-take the quiz, but this time for 45 points maximum.  A third and final attempt would be worth only 35 points maximum.  If this attempt is unsuccessful, you will receive a zero.

 

5. Six tests will cover the noted sections of OT readings and lecture material.  Memory work relevant to each section will be included on the tests as well.  475 pts. (75 pts. each, 100 pts. for final) 

 

6. As part of each test, students must make a brief statement on twenty chapters from the OT reading assignments covered for that test (see course schedule below).  These statements are in response to two questions: a) What is the main thing said or done in the chapter? b) What does this reveal about God and/or God’s relationship with his people?  The responses to these questions will constitute the first 10 points on each test.  Only response sheets turned in at the beginning of class on test day will be accepted.  Response sheets should be printed off from the class website.  Up to five bonus points can be earned on each test by reading and reflecting on additional chapters (either assigned in syllabus or not) (one bonus point for every five chapters, maximum five points for 25 chapters). 

 

7. After being divided into groups and assigned a particular passage/topic from the OT, your group will research that passage and present your findings and interpretation to the class.  Answer questions such as (but certainly not limited to): Can this topic be—and is it actually—interpreted in more than one way?  What are the difficulties in interpreting this passage?  What are the key terms?  Does syntactical analysis help determine the meaning?  Is there a figure of speech?  What can cultural conditions tell us about its meaning?  How does this topic contribute to the overall theme of the book?  How does it relate to other passages of Scripture?  How does it contribute to theology in general?  What is the practical implication for us?

 

Consult at least two books from the course bibliography, plus at least two relevant commentaries on the passage/topic (that’s at least four books total).  Feel free to use all the tools of research available, including your own experience.  How you present the material is up to each group.  The presentation should take at least 15, but no more than 20, minutes.  Introduce and teach the material.  Tell the class something they might not otherwise know.  Interact with the class.  Be ready to answer questions from the class after (or during) the presentation. 

 

Turn in a handout/outline to me, which must include the names of group members and a bibliography of works used.  Then each member will complete a report evaluating the work of fellow group members.  100 pts.  Evaluation criteria: Organization, presentation, content, handout, individual contribution to the group.

A note on group work: Group collaboration is a common method for accomplishing tasks in the so-called “real world,” including churches.  The group’s success is measured by the product, not only by individual input.  (I will briefly meet with group leaders to discuss work standards.)  Groups should meet and work during class time on designated Thursdays.  Additional meetings may be necessary as well.

 

8. Each student will write, in his own words, a 270-330 word response to the designated case study.  It will be due at the beginning of class two days after being announced.  30 pts.

 

Make-up Policy:

A test may be made up if the absence is excused (see “Attendance Policy” above).  Contact or see me as soon as possible to arrange it.  After I am notified, the make-up test will be given on Tues./Thurs., 6:00 p.m., room 233.  All make-up tests will be entirely essay format.  There will be no make-ups for unexcused absences.

 

Grading Scale:

 

830 points total.

 

90-100% = A     80-89 = B     70-79 = C     60-69 = D      0-59 = F

 

Course Schedule:

 

Wk. 1, 1/11                 Introduction, background, OT world, getting started. 

 

*1/16                          NO CLASS – MLK DAY

Wk. 2, 1/17                 Quiz 1 (WH I, lect.)              Gen. 1-9, 11-12

Wed.                           (Creation and the Fall of humanity)

 

Wk. 3, 1/23                 Quiz 2 (WH II/1)      Gn. 15, 17, 19, 22, 27-28, 32, 37-38, 41, 45, 50

                                    Tues.                          (Life of Abraham, Story of Joseph)

                                   

OT Book Quiz- Fri.

 

Wk. 4, 1/30                 Test 1 (Gen.)              Ex. 1-3, 7, 10-11, 14-15, 18-20, 32, 34, 40

                                    Mon.                           (Plagues, Crossing Red Sea, Giving of Law)

Lev. 1-3, 7, 10, 16, 19, 26

(Priesthood and laws)

 

Wk. 5, 2/6                   Quiz 3 (WH II/2-3)  Num. 11, 13-14 (Wilderness wandering)

Mon.                           Dt. 2-4, 6, 8, 10-13, 28 (Shema)

 

Wk. 6, 2/13                 Test 2 (Ex.-Dt.)         Josh. 1-2, 6-7, 10, 23-24

Mon.                           (Conquering and settling the promised land)

Jud. 2, 4, 6-7, 16

(Highlight more important judges)

 

Wk. 7, 2/20                 Quiz 4 (WH III/1)    Ruth 1-4; 1 Sam. 1-6, 8, 15-17, 20, 24

                                    Mon.                           (Rise and fall of Saul)

 

Wk. 8, 2/27                 Quiz 5 (WH III/2)    2 Sam. 5-7, 11-18 (Reign of David)

                                    Mon.

 

Wk. 9, 3/6                   Test 3 (Josh.-2 S)       1 K 2-3, 8, 17-19 (Reign of Solomon)

Mon.                           2 K 5-7, 10, 17-19, 22, 25 

(Importance of justice and holiness; consequences of idolatry)

 

Wk. 10 , 3/12-18         Spring Break!

 

Wk. 11, 3/20               WH III/3                   1 Chr. 17, 28; 2 Chr. 6-7, 20, 26, 29-30, 32-

35; Ezra 3, 6, 9-10; Neh. 2, 6, 8-9; Esth. 1,

4, 8 (Participation in Second Temple)

 

Wk. 12, 3/27               Test 4 (1 K-Esth.)      Isa. 1, 6-7, 9, 11, 25, 40, 42, 52-53, 55, 58,

Mon.                           61, 65 (Literary-historical studies)

 

Wk. 13, 4/3                 Quiz 6 (WH IV/1)    Jer. 1-2, 7, 15, 17, 23, 31, 38; Lam. 3;

Mon.                           Eze. 1-4, 8, 18, 36-37

 

Wk. 14, 4/10               Quiz 7 (WH IV/2-3) Dan. 1-3, 5-7, 12; Hos. 1-3, 10-11; Joel 2;

Mon.                           Amos 1-2, 4-5; Obad.

 

Wk. 15, 4/17               Test 5 (Isa.-Obad.)   Jon. 1-4; Mic. 2, 4-5; Nah. 1; Hab. 1-3

Tues.                          Zeph. 3; Hag. 1; Zech. 8, 14; Mal. 1, 3

 

Wk. 16, 4/24               Quiz 8 (WH part V)  Job 1-3, 27-28, 38, 42; Prov. 1, 3-4, 8-10,

Mon.                           15, 31; Ecc. 1-3, 12; Song 2

(Human motives for serving God)

 

Wk. 17, 5/1                 Quiz 9 (WH VI-VII) Pss. 1-2, 9, 14, 19, 22-23, 27, 51, 73, 84, 89-

Mon.                           90, 100, 103, 106, 118-119, 133, 136, 139,

145, 148, 150 (Types of Psalms)

 

Monday, May 8, 8:00 am         Final, Test 6 (Jon.-Pss.)

 

N.B.: Thursdays of weeks 3-9 will be spent doing group preparation in the library.  Thursdays of weeks 11-17 will be spent hearing group presentations in class.

 

Memory work will include:

Verses: Gen. 1:1-2; Lev. 19:18; Dt. 6:4-9; Josh. 24:15; Ps. 1:1-2; 19:1; 23; Isa. 7:14; 53:6; 59:2; Jer. 17:9; Lam. 3:22-24; Dan. 2:44.

Items: Books of OT; 12 sons of Jacob; 10 commandments; tabernacle furnishings and court.

Dates: 1440/1290 (exodus); 722 (fall of Samaria); 597 (siege of Jerusalem), 587 (fall of Jerusalem); 539 (fall of Babylon).

BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR OT SURVEY

* = on 2-day reserve in Brackett Library

 

Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative. Basic Books, 1981.

 

*Anderson, Bernhard W. Contours of Old Testament Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1999.

 

Boadt, Lawrence. Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction. New York: Paulist Press, 1984.

 

*Bright, John. The Kingdom of God: The Biblical Concept and Its Meaning for the Church. Pierce and Washabaugh, 1953; repr., Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1981.

 

Childs, Brevard S. Old Testament Theology in a Canonical Context. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985.

 

Dillard, Raymond B. and Tremper Longman III. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.

 

Hasel, Gerhard. Old Testament Theology: Basic Issues in the Current Debate. 4th ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.

 

Hill, Andrew E. and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.

 

LaSor, William Sanford, et al. Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

 

Niditch, Susan. War in the Hebrew Bible: A Study in the Ethics of Violence. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.

 

*Ollenburger, Ben C., ed. Old Testament Theology: Flowering and Future. Sources for Biblical and Theological Study, vol. 1. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2004.

 

*Rad, Gerhard von. God at Work in Israel. Trans. John H. Marks. Nashville: Abingdon, 1980.

 

Schultz, Samuel J. The Old Testament Speaks. 4th ed. New York: Harper and Row, 1990.

 

Septuaginta. Ed. A. Rahlfs. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1979.

 

*Thompson, J. A. The Bible and Archaeology. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.

 

*Walton, John H., et al. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

I have carefully read and comprehended the syllabus and the terms and conditions set forth therein.

 

 

Signed:                                                                                    


Information and Questionnaire

 

Name                                                                                                   Age                 

 

 

Mailbox #                                Harding Phone                                               

 

 

Email                                                                          

 

 

Major                                                  

 

 

Church Affiliation                                                                              

 

 

Hobbies:

 

 

 

 

 

What do you want to do after you graduate?

 

 

 

 

 

What do you hope to gain by taking this class?

 

 

 

 

 

What grade do you expect to make in this class?

 

 

 

 

Is there anything else I should know about you?

 


[1] N.B.: The course requirements and course schedule are subject to change.