Old Testament / Hebrew Bible

5 credits

Module Content:

1. Development of skills in biblical criticism with a particular focus on OT methods and bringing in NT methods for comparison and contrast
2. Responses to God
   1. Study of the variety of responses contained in OT/Israel e.g. Law; Covenant; Narrative, Historical writing, Wisdom/Creation; Psalmody; Prophecy; Apocalyptic
   2. Study of institutions of Ancient Israel as part of this response e.g. sacrifice and cult, holiness, priesthood, kingship.
3. A biblical theme - To be chosen from either of a) exile or b) religious reformers – including application to ministry and teaching/preaching.
4. Detailed study of selected texts (chosen in part to link with other topics studied in this module). An indicative list might include: Gen 1-11; Exodus 3; 12, 15, 19-24; Deuteronomy 5-6, Isaiah 40-55; parts of Amos; extracts from Jeremiah (comparing the prose and poetic passages); and a number of Psalms.
5. Theology and theologies of the Old Testament. i.e. An introduction to ways that scholars have sought to find a ‘centre’ in the Hebrew Bible/OT (e.g Eichrodt ‘covenant’, von Rad, ‘salvation history’, Zimmerli, ‘name of God’ etc), evaluation of the benefits and limitations of such an approach, and reflection on this in relation to the use of the OT by Christians, particularly in relation to ministry.
6. OT and canon - Exploration of the beginning of the process of canonization and the key role that Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomic corpus play in this.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module students will be able:

• To recognize and make use of the methods of interpretation appropriate to a selection of specific biblical texts.
• To recognize and analyse the interplay between the production of biblical texts and contexts in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible.
• To evaluate the variety of ways in which Israel responds to God, and reflect on their implications for Christian ministry.
• To appreciate and evaluate the range of images used for God and for God’s engagement with the world in the Hebrew Scriptures
• To demonstrate ways in which texts from the Hebrew Scriptures might be used appropriately in Christian ministry today.

Methodology:

Part-time Mode A:

This module will be taught through a series of lectures and student-led seminars.

Students will be required to participate and lead class seminars and also to take part in collaborative small groups and independent study which will focus on close textual readings.

There will be a joint seminar with each of the other two strands – Theology and Christian Practice in Church and Society

Part-time Mode B:

This module will be taught through workbook and DVD lectures. Students will also contribute to online seminars and will be required to engage in independent study of set texts. Students will also be required to take part in collaborative small groups and independent study which will focus on close textual readings.

There will be a joint seminar with each of the other two strands – Theology and Christian Practice in Church and Society

Assessment: 2,500 words of coursework (e.g. essay, exegesis, sermon or project as agreed by course leader)

Contact Hours: 20 Student Work Load: 100 - 120 hrs