The Story of God, People and Land (BA1137B)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit is designed to ground students in the biblical story as a basis for understanding Christian faith and for deeper engagement with the Hebrew bible. Students will be introduced to the narrative and literary character of the Hebrew bible together with historical, cultural and social contexts, and significant theological themes.

Unit code: BA1137B

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Proposing College: Eva Burrows College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Discuss the biblical narrative as literature giving attention to its historical, social and cultural contexts and theological intent.
2.

Identify key content and major themes that form the basis of the Hebrew bible, and how selected themes have a trajectory into the New Testament.
3.

Demonstrate basic interpretive skills.
4.

Apply insights from their study to Christian life and ministry within their particular context.

Unit sequence

No prerequisites required.

Pedagogy

Students will complete workbooks which are keyed to readings and other learning materials. They will complete questions and learning activities and attend structured synchronous online engagement sessions.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bartholomew, Craig G. The Old Testament and God. Old Testament Origins and the Question of God. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2022.
  • Barton, John. The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Companion. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2016.
  • Brueggemann, Walter, and Tod Linafelt. An Introduction to the Old Testament : The Canon and Christian Imagination. 3rd ed. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2020.
  • Brueggemann, Walter. The Land: Place as Gift, Promise and Challenge in Biblical Faith. Overtures to Biblical Theology. Philadelphia, Fortress Press, 1977.
  • Collins, John J. A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible: And Deutero-Canonical Books. 3rd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2018.
  • Hayes, Christine. Introduction to the Bible. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2012.
  • Hwang, Jerry, and Angukali Rotokha. Exploring the Old Testament in Asia: Evangelical Perspectives. Foundations in Asian Christian Thought. Carlisle: Langham Global Library, 2022.
  • Jacobson, Rolf A, and Michael J Chan. Introducing the Old Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2023.
  • McCabe, Elizabeth A. Women in the Biblical World: A Survey of Old and New Testament Perspectives Vol 2. Plymouth: University Press of America, 2011.
  • Moyise, Steve. The Old Testament in the New: An Introduction. T & T Clark Approaches to Biblical Studies. 2nd ed. London: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2015.
  • Sumney, Jerry L. The Bible: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2021.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)

Variant 1

Learning Resource 800 15.0
Article (for Newspaper, e.g. letter to the editor) 1200 35.0
Portfolio 2000 50.0

Variant 2

Blog 700 15.0
Audio recording or Podcast 1000 30.0
Portfolio 2200 55.0

Variant 3

Learning Resource 800 15.0
Seminar or Tutorial 1400 40.0
Essay 1800 45.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 16 Aug, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-08-16 09:21:20 +1000