Content

This unit concerns the Pentateuch and its importance as a foundational text in both Judaism and Christianity. It outlines the ways that the Pentateuch has been interpreted in the past by both ancient and modern exegetes. In the examination of particular passages which highlight themes such as creation, covenant, law, purity, holiness and theodicy, both literary and historical-critical methodologies are used in the interpretation of the text. Consequently the distinctive contribution of Israel to the understanding of God within the Ancient Near Eastern context is brought to the fore. Attention is drawn also to the reception in the Old and New Testaments of passages studied, as is the continued relevance of their message in the present.

Unit code: BA3010Y

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the historical, literary and theological issues associated with the Pentateuch and its interpretation

2.

Evaluate distinctive theological themes in the books of the Pentateuch

3.

Analyse and interpret passages from the books of the Pentateuch

4.

Make critical use of secondary sources, e.g., commentaries

5.

Apply exegetical analysis of texts and understanding of distinctive theological themes to specific issues in the study of the Pentateuch

Unit sequence

BA1000Y and BN1000Y or equivalent

Pedagogy

synchronous lectures and tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012.
  • Brenner, Athalya, ed. Exodus to Deuteronomy: A Feminist Companion to the Bible (Second Series). Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 2000.
  • Campbell, Antony F., and Mark A. O’Brien. Rethinking the Pentateuch. Prolegomena to the Theology of Ancient Israel. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2005.
  • Collins, John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004.(recommended for purchase)
  • Dozeman, Thomas B., and Konrad Schmid and Baruch J. Schwartz, eds. The Pentateuch: International Perspectives on Current Research. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2011.
  • Edelman Diana V., et al. Opening the Book of Moses. Bible World. Sheffield: Equinox, 2012
  • Grypeou, Emmanouela, and Helen Spurling. The Book of Genesis in Late Antiquity: Encounters between Jewish and Christian Exegesis. Jewish and Christian Perspectives. Leiden: Brill, 2013.
  • Ska, Jean-Louis. Introduction to Reading the Pentateuch. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2006.
  • Ska, Jean Louis. The Exegesis of the Pentateuch: Exegetical Studies and Basic Questions. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2009.
  • Westermann, Claus. Genesis 1–11, 12–36, 37–50. 3 vols. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984, 1985, 1986

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay 1700 35.0
Essay 3300 65.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 25 May, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-05-25 12:23:21 +1000