Exploring the Old Testament (BA8001C)

Content

This unit explores the world of the Old Testament and demonstrates its enduring relevance. It provides insights into the diverse historical, cultural, social, and literary contexts of Old Testament literature. Through the study of selected biblical passages, students engage with various methods of interpretation, integrate perspectives of faith and reason, and discover pastoral and educational applications of these ancient texts for today. The unit also examines thematic and theological links between the Old and New Testaments.

Learning outcomes

Pedagogy

Classes consist of interactive lectures, reading and analysing biblical texts, as well as discussions and seminars (in each case, presented in modes appropriate for face-to-face, online, or intensive learning contexts).

Indicative Bibliography

• Barton, John, and Julia Bowden. The Original Story: God, Israel and the World. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.
• Bergant, Dianne. Scripture: History and Interpretation. Engaging Theology: Catholic Perspectives. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2008.
• Carr, David M. An Introduction to the Old Testament: Sacred Texts and Imperial Contexts of the Hebrew Bible. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
• Clifford, Hywel C., Douglas S. Earl, Ryan O’Dowd, and Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer, eds. Companion to the Old Testament: Introduction, Interpretation, Application. London: SCM, 2016.
• Collins, John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. 3rd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2018.
• Collins, John J., Gina Hens-Piazza, Barbara Reid, and Donald Senior, eds. The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century. 3rd ed. London: T&T Clark, 2022.
• Harrington, Daniel J. How Do Catholics Read the Bible? Come and See Series. Lanham: Sheed & Ward, 2005.
• Jacobson, Rolf A., and Michael J. Chan. Introducing the Old Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023.
• Sumney, Jerry L. The Bible: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2021.
• Vatican Council II. Dei Verbum. Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation. 18 November 1965. In Vatican II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents, edited by A. Flannery. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1980.

Assessment