Fall 2020/Main Campus
B1305

Dapaah

B1305 Interpreting the Old Testament: Daniel Dapaah, PhD
Tuesday, 8:00 – 9:5 pm; 3 credits

DESCRIPTION:

This course is a general introduction to the Old Testament (OT) literature, history, and theology. The course further introduces students to the various methods of interpretation of the OT.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY:

The course is designed to introduce students to the contents of the OT, and the historical and religious contexts of the Ancient Near East.
Students will be exposed to the various critical approaches to the study of the OT. The course further seeks to help students acquire competent exegetical and apologetic skills for preaching and teaching.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course is designed to furnish students with a critical understanding of the theological, historical, and ethical content of the OT. The course further seeks to endow students with the capacity to use their knowledge of the OT to interpret, critique, and transform the culture in which they find themselves.

COURSE FORMAT:

The class will meet once a week for a two-hour session for lectures and discussions. In addition, students will work an extra hour each week on a given assignment.

REQUIRED READING:

1. Anderson, B. W. Understanding the Old Testament. 5th edn. Prentice Hall, 2006. ISBN 0-13- 948399-3. Pub. Price: $54.00.
2. Birch, B. C., W. Brueggemann, T. E. Fretheim and D. L. Petersen. A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. Abingdon, 1999. ISBN 0-687-01348-8. Pub. Price: $44.99.
3. Brueggemann, W. An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Canon and Christian Imagination. WJK, 2003. ISBN 13: 978-0664-22412-7 or 10: 0-664-22412-1. Pub. Price: $30.00.
4. Coogan, M. D, et al., eds. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. Oxford, 1998. ISBN 0-19-528485-2. Pub. Price: $49.99.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

• Attendance and participation – 10%
• Written paper (15-20 pages, excluding bibliography) – 40%
• Midterm – 20%
• Final exam – 30%

PREREQUISITES:

TP 2101 — Introduction to Theological Studies

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: This course meets a core requirement for the MDIV, MTS, MCL, GCTS and GCLS programs.