Content

The unit will examine many different aspects of the ancient Israel wisdom, focusing on four canonical books of the Old Testament: The Book of Job, Wisdom Psalms, The Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes; with the reference to deuterocanonical books: The Wisdom of Solomon, Ben Sirach (Book of Ecclesiasticus). Wisdom literature will be explored through the questions: What is wisdom? What are its foundations? Who is a wise man or woman? Specific biblical and extra-biblical texts will be studied from theological, historical critical and literary perspectives. Modern reception of Wisdom literature will be investigated, particularly the manner in which modern theologians respond to the question of innocent suffering in the modern world.

Unit code: BA3519A

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: St Athanasius College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate knowledge of the content of the main Old Testament wisdom texts

2.

Discuss the content, types and themes of Wisdom Literature

3.

Define the nature and attributes of God in Wisdom Literature

4.

Explain the influence of the Ancient Near Eastern literature on Wisdom Literature

5.

Analyse the themes and theology of Wisdom Literature, especially the theological issue of theodicy

Unit sequence

Old Testament Introductory unit

Pedagogy

Articles and lecture notes, video lectures and online discussion forums.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Crenshaw, James. Old Testament Wisdom: An Introduction. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1998, 2010. (recommended for purchase)
  • Murphy, Roland. The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Co., 1990, 2002. (recommended for purchase)
  • Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Sage, Priest, Prophet: Religious and Intellectual Leadership in Ancient Israel. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2000.
  • Brown, William P. Character in Crisis: A Fresh Approach to the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996.
  • Clifford, Richard J. (ed.). Wisdom Literature in Mesopotamia and Israel. Atlanta: SBL, 2007.
  • Curtis, E. M. and J. J. Brugaletta. Discovering the Way of Wisdom. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2004.
  • Fyall, Robert. S. Now My Eyes Have Seen You: Images of Creation and Evil in Job. Leicester: Apollos, 2002.
  • Hunter, Alastair G. Wisdom Literature. London: SCM, 2006.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Reading Reflections (250 words)

0 5.0
Essay

Essay (2500 words)

0 50.0
Essay

Reading Reflections (250 words)

0 5.0
Essay

Reading Reflections (250 words)

0 5.0
Essay

Reading Reflections (250 words)

0 5.0
Essay

Essay (1250 words)

0 25.0
Essay

Reading Reflections (250 words)

0 5.0
Approvals

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

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-11 12:58:02 +1100