B 421 JEREMIAH Spring 2018
McCormick Theological Seminary
Wednesdays, 2:00 – 4:50 p.m.
Dr. Elizabeth Hopp-Peters
Course Goals:To engage the Book of Jeremiah in its full prophetic power,
as well as encounter the person/persona of Jeremiah himself. This course will offer an opportunity to struggle with and draw inspiration from this paradigmatic Hebrew prophet, whose compelling words and biography are presented in the book that bears his name.
To practice responsible exegesis together, out of our diversity, and to make connections between Jeremiah’s world and our own.Students will have the chance to use their interpretive skills in order to exegete key passages and discover points of contact between the biblical text and current contexts.
To relate the Book of Jeremiah to a broader biblical panorama. We will consider the place of the Book of Jeremiah
in Christian and Jewish scriptures, the book’s relationship to Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History, as well as
the ways in which Jeremiah is both typical of and distinctive
from other Old Testament prophets and their books.
Course Plan:Our classes will run from 2:00 to 4:50 pm each Wednesday,and include lecture and discussion, small group work and individual presentations.Each week we will focus on a key passage, and evaluate scholarly arguments about historical, theological, and literary aspects of the text, while exploring ways to use the book of Jeremiah as a resource for spirituality, teaching, preaching and liturgy. By the end of the course, you shouldbe able to teach a bible study on Jeremiah and preach a sermon on a passage of your choice.
Evaluation:Evaluation will be based on the following:
Classparticipation & presentations35%
Written assignments30%
Exegetical paper35%
Jeremiah Syllabus, pg. 2
Assignments: Class sessions will provide the focal point for each week’s learning experience, and thus it will be important for students to come armed with questions and observations about the biblical texts and secondary readings. During the course of the semesterstudents will work in pairsto lead a discussion based on a chapter of Laha’s Interpretation Bible Study, as well as individually present the findings of their exegesis papers (see below).
Each student also will compose several brief essays, a prophetic critique, and a lament or prayer based on a specific Jeremiah text. In addition, students will write a three-part exegetical study of a selected text from the book of Jeremiah integrating skills in literary, historical/cultural and theological analysis and relating their findings to a contemporary issue or practice in ministry. This paper will include the following:
a) a study of the literary form and features of the text,
b) a study of the historical/cultural context of the text, and
c) a summary of the theological message of the text and an appropriation
of thatmessage within a contemporary ministry context.
Each of these studies should be 3-4 pages long. The first study will be due March 28, the second on April 18, and the third on May 2.In addition, each student will present a synopsis of his or her findings to the class.
Required Books:
Brueggemann, Walter. Reality, Grief, Hope: Three Urgent Prophetic Tasks. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2014. 978-0802870728
Laha, Robert. Jeremiah. Interpretation Bible Studies. Louisville:
Westminster John Knox, 2002. 978-0664225810
O’Connor, Kathleen M. Jeremiah: Pain and Promise. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2011. 978-0800699307
Stulman, Louis. Jeremiah. Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon, 2005. 978-0687057962
Sharp, Carolyn J. Old Testament Prophets For Today. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2009. 978-0664231781
Jeremiah Syllabus, pg. 3
You may also wish to consult the following commentaries:
Allen, Leslie C. Jeremiah: A Commentary. The Old Testament Library. Louisville and
London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008.
Brueggemann, Walter.A Commentary on Jeremiah: Exile & Homecoming. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: William B Eerdmans, 1998.
Carroll, Robert P. Jeremiah. 2 vols. 2nd ed. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2006.
Clements, R. E. Jeremiah. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and
Preaching. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1988.
Fretheim, Terence E. Jeremiah. Smyth and Helwys Hebrew Bible Commentary. Macon:
Smyth and Helwys, 2002.
Holladay, William L. Jeremiah. 2 vols. Hermeneia. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986-89.
Lundbom, Jack R. Jeremiah. 3 vols. Anchor Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1999-2004.
Doubleday, 1999-2004.
McKane, William. Jeremiah. 2 vols. International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh and
New York: T & T Clark, 1986.
Miller, Patrick D. “Jeremiah: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections” in The New
Interpreter’s Bible. Vol. VI: 553-982. Nashville: Abingdon, 2001.
Jeremiah Syllabus, pg. 4
COURSE SCHEDULE:
February 7
An Introduction to the course, to Jeremiah and to each other
This introduction will include an orientation to the course and its participants,
as well as to the book of Jeremiah and its importance.
After Class:
Read Sharp, 1-18; Brueggemann 1-43.
Based on thesereadings and your notes from our first class session, composea one-page essay (either single- or double-spaced) explainingwhy Old Testament prophets, such as Jeremiah, were important in their ancient context, andwhyprophecy continues to mattertoday.
February 14
The Call of Jeremiah: Historical Context &the Literary Shape of the Book
Assignment Due:
Hand in your one-page summary of the importance of prophets and prophecy.
Key Texts: Jer 1:1-19; 36:1-26.
Reading:
1. Jer 1, 36, 52.
2. O’Connor 1-34, 7; Laha1-21; Stulman 1-45, 295-302.
After Class:
Review several outlines of the book of Jeremiah’s literary organization (including O’Connor, Stulman, and your Study Bible), and then write your own outline, noting where you have drawn on other scholars.
February 21
Prophetic Critique: Jeremiah vs. Temple and Palace
Assignment Due:
Hand in your literary outline of the book of Jeremiah.
Key Texts: Jer 7:1-15; 22:1-19.
Reading:
1. Bible: Jer 7, 21-23, 26, and Stulman commentary.
2. Laha 28-34, 57-63; O’Connor 93-98.
After Class:
Compose a prophetic oracle critiquing some aspect of contemporary culture.
(1 page)
Jeremiah Syllabus, pg. 5
February 28
Prophetic Metaphor: Broken Family and Broken Covenant
Assignment Due:
Hand in your prophetic critique.
Key Texts: Jer 2:1-13; 11:1-14.
Reading:
1. Bible: Jer 2:1-4:4; 11:1-14; 17:19-27, and Stulman commentary.
2. O’Connor, 35-45, 98-102; Laha 22-27.
After Class:
Skim the book of Jeremiah in your study Bible, and peruse O’Connor’s and Laha’s books to get a feeling for key passages and themes. Select a passage that you’d like to focus on for your exegesis paper; then write several questions you have about the text, along with a brief explanation of why you have chosen this particular passage.
March 7
Reality and Trauma: The War Poems
Assignment Due:
Hand in an explanation of your exegesis selection with preliminary questions.
Key Text: Jer 4:5-6:30.
Reading:
1. Bible: Jer 4:5-6:30; 8:16-17; 10:17-22; 13:20-27, and Stulman commentary.
2. O’Connor 47-58.
After Class:
Begin researching your exegesis paper.
March 14
The Grief of God: Jeremiah and Divine Pathos
Key Texts: Jer 8:18-9:3.
Reading:
1. Bible: Jer 8-10 and Stulman commentary.
2. Brueggemann 47-88; O’Connor 59-68; Laha 35-39.
March 21
NO CLASS: Reading Week
Jeremiah Syllabus, pg. 6
March 28
Crying Out to God: Jeremiah’s “Confessions”
Assignment Due:
Hand in exegesis paper, part one.
Key Texts: Jer 11:18-12:6; 15:10-21, 17:14-18; 18:18-23; 20:7-18 and commentary.
Reading:
1. Bible: Jer 11-20.
2. O’Connor 81-92; Laha 40-50.
After Class:
Compose a lament or first-person prayer based on a text from Jeremiah (1 page).
April 4
The Power of Symbolic Action (Part I): Uprooting and Tearing Down
Assignment Due:
Hand in your lament or first-person prayer based on a text from Jeremiah.
Key Texts: Jer 13:1-11; 16: 1-13; 18:1-12; 19:1-13; 25:15-29 and commentary.
Reading:
1. Bible: Jer 13, 16, 18-19, 25.
2. O’Connor 69-72; Laha 51-54.
April 11
The Power of Symbolic Action (Part II): Building and Planting
Assignment Due:
Hand in Exegesis paper, part two.
Key Texts: Jer 27:1-11; 32:6-15; 35:1-19; 43:8-13; 51:59-64 and commentary.
Reading:
1. Bible: Jer 27, 32, 34-35, 43, 51.
2. Laha 54-56.
April 18
Stories of Conflict and Captivity: The Prophet as Symbol
Key Texts:20:1-28:1-17; 38:1-13.
Reading:
1. Bible: Jer 20, 26-28, 36-38 and commentary.
2. O’Connor 73-79; Laha 57-63.
Jeremiah Syllabus, pg. 7
April 25
Home Away from Home: Life in Exile and Diaspora
Key Text: Jer 29:1-23; 32:6-15.
Reading:
1. Bible: Jer 24, 29, 32, 40-44 and commentary.
2. Laha 64-70.
May 2
Hope After Doom: Consolation and Divine Vindication
Assignment Due:
Hand in Exegesis paper, part three.
Key Texts: Jer 31:23-40; 51:59b-64
Reading:
1. Bible: Jer 30-33, 46-51 and commentary.
2. Brueggemann 89-128; O’Connor 103-123; Laha 71-82.
After Class:
Reflect on the ways Jeremiah is both similar to and distinctive from other biblical prophets, including Jesus.Organize your thoughts and compose a brief essay.
May 9
Course Summary
Assignment Due:
Hand in your essay on the similarities and distinctiveness of Jeremiah.
Reading:
1. Bible: Review lectionary passages.
2. Brueggemann 129-165; O’Connor 125-137.