BOT 270 OLD TESTAMENT POETRY
Cincinnati Christian University, Fall 2012
Daniel J. Dyke, Professor
Phone: (513) 244-6055
Email for Assignments:
Email for Questions:
I. REQUIRED TEXTS
Lucas, Ernest. Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Psalms and Wisdom Literature. Downers Grove: IVP, 2003.
II. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the poetic literature of the Old Testament. The study will survey the dynamics of Hebrew poetry, the contents of each book, and the timeless questions raised within the community of faith by the literature.
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES
The student who satisfactorily completes this course should be able:
1. to exclaim, "I am a poetically-sensitive person" (and really mean it!);
2. to describe the dynamics of Hebrew poetry;
3. to identify the issues with which Hebrew wisdom writers dealt, the solutions they presented, and
the ones they rejected as inconsistent with their view of God;
4. to demonstrate a basic understand of the principles of interpreting poetic literature of the Bible;
5. to recall key verses from memory;
6. to appreciate the literary, liturgical, and devotional values of Hebrew poetry.
7. to understand that evil as well as good can possess wisdom and that each member of the
community should be as wise as serpents, but as harmless as doves;
8. to retell difficult poetical material as story.
IV. MAJOR LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND COURSE PROCEDURES
In this course the student will be introduced to contents of the listed books and the concepts of Israelite poetry. The professor will lecture on select topics that in his estimation need to be discussed by a living person. To receive a passing grade for this course the student will complete the following assignments by the assigned dates. All assignments must be submitted by EMAIL and use the subject line BOT270. The student is responsible to keep a copy of all assignments until after the course grade is submitted. Students must keep backups of all materials.
A. Attend class regularly (students are dropped from the course on the 7th absence);
B. Section Exams: At the beginning and completion of each section of the course an examination will be given covering the textbook and class lectures. (40%)
C. Memorize and recite the following psalms to another person. Discuss with that person why you think these were important to the community of the faithful. Try to answer why a Christian would see Jesus in these Psalms. The person working with the student will report to the professor that this recitation was done. This is due by the day of the final test. (EC- 5%)
1. Psalm 110: The Great King and His Subjects.
2. Psalm: 48: Zion is the City of the Great King.
3. Psalm 24: The Entrance of the Great King into Zion.
4. Psalm 27: Zion’s Warrior and His God
D. The student will complete the special projects and tests as detailed below. It is critical that each step of an assignment be followed exactly.
1. Analyzing a Psalm: In the opening section of the course the class will study the various types of Hebrew poetry and categories of Psalms. The student will be introduced in class to the method of analysis and apply that method to Psalm 96. (10%)
a. The types of poetry (synonymous, synthetic, antithetic, etc.) used in each line.
b. The movement of thought in the entire psalm.
c. What are the metaphors chosen by the author, out of what realm do they originate, and what are they used to describe?
d. The theological traditions of the author.
e. The paradox/problem of the psalm.
2. Story Retelling: A Song of Solomon Project - A Romantic Encounter. The student may do this in conjunction with a partner. (10%)
a. Read the text of the scene found in 5:2-6:13
b. Show the MOVEMENTS within the story-song. Movements are the places in the story where the author is changing position. It is like following someone through a large complicated city and seeing the sights along the path that he leads you. Usually a guided tour leads you to a destination of the guide's choice and an experience that he has chosen for you. Label this section, MOVEMENTS. Here are the "movements" you are to find and document.
(1) Changes in geographical location.
(2) Change of character and dialogue.
(3) Change of topic or emotion.
(4) Unexpected alleyways.
(5) The point of origin and the ultimate destination.
c. Type no more than one page in which you try to present the scene in simple English. Label this section, SUMMARY.
d. Show the focus of each character and discern how the male and the female think differently. Label this section CONTRASTS.
e. Rewrite the song into a prose format as if you were telling it as a real life event. The main thing is for your telling of the story to remain true to the original story, but at the same time tell it as an ancient story of Solomon.
3. Project: Is Wisdom Universal? (10%)
Read the books of Proverbs and Ahikar (http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepigrapha/ahikar.htm) then answer these questions:
a. List the similarities and differences in the two works.
b. List the ideas which are not found in Proverbs, but are not antithetic to Biblical thought.
c. What are disturbing thoughts in the book? Discuss these in the light of biblical revelation.
d. Make a summary of the story. BTW, I read Wikipedia.
4. Regretting the Past - Ecclesiastes (10%)
a. Read the book of Ecclesiastes and make a list of the major issues of regret with which the elderly struggle. This should be fairly extensive.
b. Interview an elderly person who has read the book, dialogue with them about it, and summarize the dialogue noting the differences of perspective on how each party resonated with the text. Be sure the person deals with the passages you have identified. An elderly person is someone over 65!
Final Test: This will be taken during final test week at the assigned time and place. The student will reproduce and explain the outline of the book of Job. (20%)
V. DISCLAIMER
This syllabus represents the shape of the course as envisioned prior to the start of the semester. The instructor is free to make alterations as time and circumstances allow.
VI. RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of the student to keep copies of all work submitted. Students are strongly urged to make backup copies of their work.
VII. SCHEDULE
All Dates are Tentative
Psalms (September 7): Psalm 96 Analysis
Song of Solomon Project (October 3)
Proverbs and Ahikar Project (October 26)
Ecclesiastes and the Elderly (November 13)
Weeks 1-5: Singing Songs in a Pathetic Temple
Introduction to Course
How does one interpret the Psalms?
The Dynamics of Hebrew Poetry
What are the origins of the Book of Psalms.
Difficult Psalms
Weeks 6-10: The Phases of Family Life
The Formation of a Marriage: The Very Best Song (Song of Solomon)
The Rearing of Children: Proverbs
Reflections and Regrets of the Aged: Ecclesiastes/Qoheleth
Weeks 11-15: Voicing the Questions of the Human Soul
Job: Is Anybody at the Controls?
Lamentations: What does one do when they screw up this badly?
VIII. Emails
All assignments should be emailed to the professor at the listed email address. The subject line should be the course number (BOT270) with a description of the assignment following the course number.