Syllabus for Hebrew Bible I – 211
Course of Study School, Summer 2011
Perkins School of Theology
Martha Myre – Instructor
903-513-5845 (use this one if you want to text me)
214-755-5930
mvmyre@gmail.com
Course Description
This course covers the interpretation of the developing institutions and traditions of Israel and examines the varying ways in which the Hebrew people understood critical events of their history as acts of God.
The specific objectives of the course include:
1. Formation of a historical overview of the life and faith of ancient Israel
2. Exegesis of selected passages that illustrate crucial turning points in the history of Israel.
3. Correlation of exegesis with its utilization in preaching and other pastoral functions.
4. Reflection upon ways in which God has been at work in the lives of people in these
biblical materials.
5. Ongoing development of an exegetical methodology.
6. Application of these studies to the concerns and issues of the present day.
Class Requirements
- Pre-class Assignments
Students must complete pre-class assignment before coming to class. On Monday, we will schedule individual times for each student to meet with me to go over the pre-class assignment.
- Class Sessions
- Chapel on Thursday, July 28. I will be preaching on a passage that we have covered in class. You are strongly encouraged to attend all chapel services.
- A brief (one-page) Overview of Ministry Setting. Tell me about your church and your role in that church.
- First Copy of Exegesis Paper, due on Saturday, July 30 by 5:00 pm if submitted electronically, or at the end of class on Saturday if submitted on paper.
- Final Exegesis and Sermon, due on Thursday, August 4.
Grading Pre-class Assignment 30%
1st Copy of Paper 30%
Final Copy of Paper and Sermon 30%
Class Participation 10%
Grading Scale: A Excellent work. Assignment has been understood and fully executed.
Shows engagement with the material, ability to derive new insights and apply those insights to pastoral tasks.
B Very good work. Shows above average ability to engage material and some insight into applications.
C Solid work. All assignments completed at a satisfactory level. Shows a willingness to struggle with the issues raised by the texts and how
those issues impact pastoral ministry.
D Work completed, but at an unsatisfactory level. No obvious engagement with or ability to apply the material.
F Assignment not completed
Daily Schedule – We will probably go a bit slower at the beginning of this schedule; it is a guide but not a strict schedule, but will catch up sometime in the middle of the session. You will not be tested on any of this information, so make notes that will help you use it when you go home, not notes that will help you test well. Pay attention to the process of exegesis, because that is what you will be asked to do in the paper that you write. Finally, my cellphone (the 214-755-5930 number) and email have been the same for years, and will remain the same for years (unless AT&T and Google go under!), so if you have questions in the future, do not hesitate to ask.
Monday, July 25 Introduction
Overview of History of Israel
Review of techniques of exegesis; begin exegesis of Genesis 1-2.
Sign-up for meeting with instructor on pre-class assignment.
Tuesday, July 26 Creation and the Human Condition
Read Genesis 1-11
Exegete: Finish Genesis 1-2, and begin Genesis 3-4
Turn in Overview of Ministry Setting.
Decide on passage for exegesis paper and clear with instructor
Meet with instructor to go over pre-class assignment.
Wednesday, July 27 Covenant
Read: Genesis 12-33
Exegete: Genesis 12:1-4; 15; 17
Exegete: Genesis 32:22-31
Turn in list of questions and first impressions of text for your exegesis paper, thesis statement, and a first try at an introduction.
Thursday, July 28 Exodus and the Sinai Covenant
Read: Exodus 1:1-24; Exodus 34
Exegete: Exodus 12:1-14
Exegete: Exodus 34:1-8
Turn in Contextual and formal analyses, see Gorman pp 65-90.
Friday, July 29 Understanding the Law
Read: Exodus 20:1-23:19; Leviticus 16-20, 25; Deuteronomy 26-30
Exegete: Exodus 21:28-36
Turn in detailed analysis, see Gorman pp 91-114 .
Saturday, July 30 Deuteronomy and the Rewriting of History
Read: Deuteronomy 4-14
Exegete: Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Turn in first draft of paper, including synthesis, see Gorman pp 115-121.
Monday, August 1 Conquest and Settlement of the Land – Two views
Read: Joshua 1-8; 23-24; Judges 2; 11; 19-21
Exegete: The Story of Rahab (found in Joshua 2 and 6)
Tuesday, August 2 The Rise of the Monarchy
Read: Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 18:1-8, I Samuel 1-13:15
Exegete: I Samuel 8:4-22
Wednesday, August 3 King David and the Davidic Covenant
Read: As much of the story of David as you can at one sitting, starting with 1 Samuel 17.
Exegete: 2 Samuel 7:1-17
Thursday, August 4 The Divided Monarchy
Read: 2 Kings 22-25
Exegete: 2 Kings 16:10-18
The role of prophets
Read: Deuteronomy 18:15-22; 1 Kings18:1-19:18; Isaiah 6:1-13; Jeremiah 1:1-19
Turn in final version of paper with sermon. This will not be returned to you.
Pick from one of these lectionary texts for exegesis:
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 (August 7)
Genesis 45:1-15 (August 14)
Genesis 50:15-21 (September 11)
Exodus 14:19-31 (September 11)
Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21 (September 11)
Exodus 16:2-15 (September 18)
Exodus 17:1-7 (September 25)
Exodus 32:1-14 (October 9)
Exodus 33:12-23 (October 16)
Course of Study (COSS) 