Content

This unit will guide students in the study of significant social and theological themes within the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Themes such as creation, covenant, family, the body, the poor, gender, food, land, justice, the state, power, hope, spirituality, to name a few. These themes will be examined within their original literary, historical and cultural contexts and evaluated for their relevance to contemporary times and practice.

Unit code: BA3069P

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate some critical issues relating to the study of selected theological themes in the Hebrew Bible

2.

Describe the cultural, social, historical, literary, religious contexts in which these themes originated

3.

Analyse scholarly interpretations of these themes

4.

Articulate the relevance of these themes to the contemporary context of church and society

Unit sequence

15 points of introductory study in Old Testament / Hebrew Bible

Pedagogy

online lessons, forum and tutorial engagement

Indicative Bibliography

  • Allen, Leslie C. A Theological Approach to the Old Testament: Major Themes and New Testament Connections. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2014.
  • Birch, Bruce C. et al. A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. 2nd edition. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005.
  • Brueggemann, Walter. Reverberations of Faith: A Theological Handbook of Old Testament Themes. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2002.
  • Dyrness, William A. Themes in Old Testament Theology. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1980.
  • Gravett, Sandra L., et al. The Hebrew Bible: A Thematic Approach Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2008.Knierim, Rolf P. The Task of Old Testament Theology: Substance, Method and Cases. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995 (Recommended for purchase)
  • Matthews, V, H. Old Testament Themes. Atlanta, GA: Chalice, 2000
  • Perdue, Leo G., and et.al. Families in Ancient Israel, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 1997.
  • Seibert. Eric A. Disturbing Divine Behavior: Troubling Old Testament Images of God. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2009.
  • Waltke, B. K. An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007.

Note: detailed reading suggestions will be provided based on the selection of themes in any given year.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Thematic Essay – 3000 words

0 60.0
Book Review

Literature review – 2000 words

0 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-04 09:21:35 +1100