Old Testament

OT501 SURVEY OF BIBLICAL HEBREW (3)

Staff
This course introduces students to Biblical Hebrew for purposes of exegetical work in pastoral ministry. Particular emphasis is given to the fundamentals of Biblical Hebrew and basic exegetical tools, including types of parsing aids especially suited for pastoral use.

OT502 GRAMMAR AND READINGS IN BIBLICAL HEBREW (3)

Staff
This course builds upon OT501 in order to complete the student's introduction to Biblical Hebrew grammar and syntax. Prerequisite: OT501.

OT520 OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (3)

Arnold, Richter, Russell, Stone
An introduction to (1) the literature of the Old Testament in its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; and (2) critical study of the Old Testament.

OT530 HISTORY OF ISRAEL (3)

Arnold, Stone
A consideration of the history of Israel from the conquest to the inter-testamental period. Data from both biblical and non-biblical sources are studied in an attempt to understand the Old Testament as a whole in terms of its political, social, and religious context. Prerequisite: OT520.

OT540 THE GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL SETTINGS OF THE BIBLE (4)

Richter
This intensive three-week introduction to the geography, history, and archaeology of Israel combines academic study with extensive travel through the land of Israel (and Jordan when political conditions are favorable). The primary focus of this class is the geographical settings of Israel's history (i.e., the Old Testament), but much New Testament material is contextualized as well. This course is offered as an expression of Asbury's affiliate relationship with Jerusalem University College in Jerusalem. Students will be housed at JUC's campus just outside the Old City, will be evaluated by JUC and Asbury faculty, and in addition to an education in the history, geography, and archaeology of the Holy Land, will be immersed for this three-week period in the cross-cultural experience that is Jerusalem. Additional costs related to travel will apply.

OT550 TUTORIAL IN OLD TESTAMENT (1-3)

Arnold, Richter, Russell, Stone
For students with specialized interests/needs in selected areas of introductory Old Testament study. Consult syllabus for prerequisites and course requirements. See academic policy. May be repeated.

OT599 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (1-3)

Arnold, Richter, Russell, Stone
Guided, independent, introductory research in Old Testament study. See academic policy and procedures. By contract. Credit only. May be repeated.

The core elective in Old Testament exegesis for the M.Div. is fulfilled by courses in the ranges, OT610-649 and OT710-749. Courses in the range OT610-649 require only OT501 Survey of Biblical Hebrew.

OT610 EXEGESIS OF GENESIS (3)

Arnold
This course explores exegetical issues in the Book of Genesis, and provides students with opportunities to apply original-language tools to the book's strategic passages. Prerequisite: NT(IBS)510 or 511; OT520; and OT501 or equivalent (May be taken by students in M.A. programs not requiring Greek by special arrangement with the professor.)

OT611 EXEGESIS OF EXODUS (3)

Russell
This course explores selected exegetical issues in the book of Exodus and provides students with opportunities to apply original language tools to the book's strategic passages. The focus will be on developing appropriate interpretive skills for the pastoral ministry. Prerequisite: NT(IBS)510 or 511; OT520; and OT501 or equivalent (May be taken by students in M.A. programs not requiring Hebrew, by special arrangement with the professor.)

OT612 EXEGESIS OF LEVITICUS (3)

Stone
The course explores the major exegetical issues in the Book of Leviticus. Students will apply original-language tools gained in OT501 to several of the book's salient passages and themes in the context of an integrative grammatical, historical, cultural, literary, and theological approach to interpretation. In particular, students refine their views of atonement, holiness, worship, the healing of human brokenness, and the hallowing of time and work. Prerequisite: NT(IBS)510 or 511; OT520; and OT501 or equivalent (May be taken by students in M.A. programs not requiring Hebrew, by special arrangement with the professor.)

OT616 EXEGESIS OF JOSHUA (3)

Stone
This course explores selected exegetical issues in the book of Joshua and provides students with opportunities to apply original-language tools to the book's strategic passages. Prerequisite: NT(IBS)510 or 511; OT520; and OT501 or equivalent (May be taken by students in M.A. programs not requiring Hebrew, by special arrangement with the professor.)

OT617 EXEGESIS OF JUDGES (3)

Stone
This course explores selected exegetical issues in the book of Judges and provides students with opportunities to apply original language tools to the book's strategic passages. Particular attention is given to the literary analysis and theological themes related to power, leadership, and violence. Prerequisite: NT(IBS)510 or 511; OT520; and OT501 or equivalent (May be taken by students in M.A. programs not requiring Hebrew, by special arrangement with the professor.)

OT619 EXEGESIS OF 1-2 SAMUEL (3)

Arnold
This course explores selected exegetical issues in the Books of Samuel and provides students with opportunities to apply original-language tools to the books' strategic passages. Prerequisite: NT(IBS)510 or 511; OT520; and OT501 or equivalent (May be taken by students in M.A. programs not requiring Hebrew, by special arrangement with the professor.)

OT630 EXEGESIS OF ISAIAH (3)

Staff
This course explores selected exegetical issues in the book of Isaiah and provides students with opportunities to apply original language tools to the book's strategic passages. Particular attention is given to the literary and theological context created by the book of Isaiah as a whole and how this affects the interpretation of specific passages in the book. Prerequisite: NT(IBS)510 or 511; OT520; and OT501 or equivalent (May be taken by students in M.A. programs not requiring Hebrew, by special arrangement with the professor.)

OT631 EXEGESIS OF JEREMIAH (3)

Stone
This course explores selected exegetical issues in the book of Jeremiah and provides students with opportunities to apply original language tools to the book's strategic passages. Specific attention is given to the nature of prophecy in Israel and the Old Testament, the theological significance of calling and vocation in prophetic ministry, and how the prophetic calling finds expression in the contemporary church.

OT650 TUTORIAL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (1-3)

Arnold, Cook, Richter, Russell, Stone
For students with specialized interests/needs in selected areas of intermediate Old Testament study. Consult syllabus for prerequisites and course requirements. See academic policy. May be repeated.

OT651 INTERMEDIATE HEBREW: READINGS IN NARRATIVE AND POETRY (3)

Richter
Selected Old Testament passages are read to develop the student's mastery of biblical Hebrew. Emphasis is given to vocabulary, grammar, syntax, compositional methodology, rhetorical issues, and general poetics. Prerequisite: OT 501/502 or equivalent.

OT665/PR651 PREACHING THE OLD TESTAMENT (3)

Staff
This course is devoted to the hermeneutical and homiletical problem of preaching from the Old Testament. In this course, this broader issue will be engaged via a focused treatment of a selected text-base. Various texts from that corpus will be covered in an attempt to lay bare their exegetical and theological resources that are well-suited for the homiletical and rhetorical task. Moreover, the problem of how to move from text to sermon, particularly from an Old Testament text to a sermon from the Old Testament (i.e., the question of developing a homiletical hermeneutic for preaching the Old Testament) will be addressed. Prerequisites: OT520 and PR610-649.

OT699 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (1-3)

Arnold, Richter, Russell, Stone
Guided, independent, intermediate research in Old Testament Study. See academic policy and procedures. By contract. Credit only. May be repeated.

OT 701-705 ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES (3)

Arnold, Richter, Stone
These courses introduce the student, who already has a working knowledge of Biblical Hebrew, to the language and literatures of the ancient Near East, primarily to provide a linguistic and cultural context for the interpretation of the Old Testament. All courses require OT 501/502 as prerequisite.

OT701 BIBLICAL ARAMAIC (3)
OT702 UGARITIC (3)
OT704 AKKADIAN (3)
OT705 SYRIAC (3)

OT706 SEMITIC LANGUAGE SEMINAR (3)

Arnold, Cook, Richter, Stone
Analysis of texts from selected historical, cultural, linguistic, and literary near-neighbors of biblical Israel enriches students' grasp of biblical Hebrew. At the discretion of the instructor, the course focuses on texts in dialects traditionally designated "Canaanite" (Hebrew, Moabite, and Phoenician), or Aramaic texts, or comparative Semitic linguistics. Prerequisites: OT501/502; when Aramaic texts are studied, OT701.

The core elective in Old Testament exegesis for the M.Div. is fulfilled by courses in the ranges, OT610-649 and OT710-749. Courses in the range OT710-749 require OT501 and OT502 .

OT710 EXEGETICAL STUDIES IN THE PENTATEUCH (3)

Arnold, Richter, Russell, Stone.
Exegetical studies of selected passages enable students to develop the linguistic and exegetical competence required for interpreting the Hebrew text. The distinctive exegetical questions arising in the study of this specific section of the OT canon are addressed as well. Prerequisite: NT(IBS)510 or 511, OT520, and OT501/502 or equivalent

OT711 EXEGETICAL STUDIES IN THE HISTORICAL BOOKS (3)

OT712 EXEGETICAL STUDIES IN THE PSALMS (3)

OT713 EXEGETICAL STUDIES IN WISDOM LITERATURE (3)

Arnold, Cook, Richter, Russell, Stone.
Exegetical studies of selected passages enable students to develop the linguistic and exegetical competence required for interpreting the Hebrew text. The distinctive exegetical questions arising in the study of this specific section of the OT canon are addressed as well. Prerequisite: NT(IBS)510 or 511, OT520, and OT501/502 or equivalent

OT714 EXEGETICAL STUDIES IN THE PROPHETS (3)

OT750 TUTORIAL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (1-3)

Arnold, Richter, Russell, Stone
For students with specialized interests/needs in selected areas of advanced Old Testament study. Consult syllabus for prerequisites and course requirements. See academic policy. May be repeated.

OT751 THE TEXT AND CANON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT (3)

Arnold, Stone
An assessment of the manuscript evidence for the OT text and the process of evaluating variant textual traditions. Selected parallel readings from the Masoretic text, Septuagint, Qumran materials (Dead Sea Scrolls), and other ancient textual authorities are studied. Text-critical problems are considered in conjunction with the formation of the Old Testament canon. Prerequisite: Reading competence in biblical Greek and Hebrew; though not required, Aramaic, Syriac, and Latin can contribute.

OT752 BIBLICAL ARCHEOLOGY (3)

Richter
Archeological discoveries in Palestine are correlated with what is known of the civilizations in neighboring regions of the ancient Near East, and with the witness of the Bible to the life and times of the Hebrew people. Methods of field work and ways of interpreting and preserving artifacts are examined. Stress is placed on the manner in which archeology has illumined and confirmed the historical rootage of the Bible. Prerequisite: OT520.

OT753 SUMMER ARCHEOLOGY PROGRAM (3)

Richter
Students will spend three to six weeks living and digging in Israel under the supervision of seasoned archeologists. They will live in an international environment, interacting with archeological enthusiasts from many nations, as well as native Israelis. They will spend five days per week digging in the field, recording finds, washing and reading pottery, and attending lectures by experts on the intersection of recovered material culture and the biblical text. On weekends, students will tour important sites both with the larger group and with Asbury faculty. The educational objective of this experience is practical exposure to the discipline of archeology and its relationship to biblical studies. Costs associated with the course include standard tuition plus plane fare, accommodations, and touring expenses. Prerequisite: OT752.

OT799 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT (1-3)

Arnold, Richter, Russell, Stone
Guided, independent, advanced research in Old Testament. See academic policy and procedures. By contract. Credit only. May be repeated.

OT820 RESEARCH METHODS IN OLD TESTAMENT INTERPRETATION (3)

Arnold
A seminar in which participants explore through readings, practice, and critical discussion the range of methods employed in contemporary Old Testament study. The entire research process-from "getting into the conversation" and specifying a "thesis" to the presentation of one's research-will be discussed, modeled, and practiced.

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