Introduction to Old Testament II

Advanced Course of Study School ~ Spring 2011 Social Justice and the Hebrew Bible April 29–30 and June 3–4, 2011 Fridays 3p-8p and Saturdays 9a-5p Instructor: David G. Garber, Jr. Email: [email protected] (the best contact) Phone: 678.547.6413

Course Description: Students in this course will investigate various issues of social justice and biblical responses to it within the legal material, narratives, prophets, and wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible. The goal of the course is to provide resources for developing a biblical perspective on social ethics. The course will include analyses of historical and societal norms in ancient Israel and Judah as well as finding points of comparison and contrast to contemporary social and economic structures. Particular attention will also be paid to the use of the biblical material in current rhetoric concerning social justice.

Required Texts and Reading Assignments:  Carroll R., M. Daniel and Jacqueline E. Lapsley. Character Ethics and the Old Testament: Moral Dimensions of Scripture. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2007. (C&L below)  Harrelson, Walter J. The Ten Commandments and Human Rights. Macon: Mercer University Press, 1997.

Highly Recommended:  Miller, Patrick. The Ten Commandments: Interpretation: Resources for the Use of Scripture in the Church. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2009.  Various Material on Reserve

Course Requirements: Participation: Participation will be evaluated on attendance and contribution to classroom discussion. Actions that will affect your participation score positively: o Demonstration of having read class assignments (both primary/Bible readings and secondary readings) o Active engagement in classroom discussion o Respectful dialogue with peers Actions that will affect your participation score negatively: o Demonstration of having read nothing or very little from the reading assignments o Disrespectful dialogue with peers o Missing class, tardiness, or leaving early.

Ten Commandments Presentation: Each student will develop a presentation on the implications of one of the ten commandments for social justice and congregational ministry. The background for this presentation can derive from Harrelson’s book, but Harrelson’s points should either be summarized very briefly or integrated into the presentation in a creative manner. Each presentation should last no more than 25 minutes and no less than 20. Consultation with Miller’s volume is highly recommended. Each presentation should include:  A brief introduction to Harrelson’s approach to the commandment.  Further exegetical insight into the commandment, including some treatment of the original historical context.  Discussion of a Hebrew Bible narrative where this commandment is enacted.  Implications of the interpretation of this commandment for reflections on contemporary social justice and human rights. This last part can derive some suggestions from Harrelson, but should also contain some originality.

Participants will give these presentations on the second day of class (May 1).

Congregation, The Bible, and Justice Paper and Presentation: On June 4, participants will present a 40-minute Bible study on a particular justice-oriented issue. In preparation for the teaching, participants should compose a 6-8 page paper on their issue due by email on May 30.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to: o Biblical rhetoric in the media o Bible and public policy o Health care o Bio-ethics o War and Justice o Immigration o Welfare and Social Ethics of the Hebrew Bible o Poverty

The paper should include the following items:  A brief description of the congregational context in which the participant envisions giving this presentation (1 page)  A brief synopsis of the justice oriented issue and its relationship to the participant’s particular congregational ministry (1.5-2 pages)  Brief exegetical remarks on passages from the Hebrew Bible that impact a theological response to the participant’s chosen issue (3-4 pages).  A conclusion synthesizing the participant’s response to the particular justice-related issue (1 page).

The class will assume the role of the presenter’s context for the Bible study presentation. After each presentation, the other members of the class will offer affirmations and suggestions for improvement to the presenter.

Breakdown of Requirements: Participation: 25% Ten Commandments Presentation: 25% Justice Issue Paper: 25% Bible Study Presentation: 25% Tentative Course Outline (Readings are to be completed before class meetings): Date: Lecture/Discussion Topic: Reading Assignment: DUE: April 29 Introduction to the Course Excerpts from Hammurabi’s Law Code 3:00-8:00 Social Justice in the Ancient B. O. Long, “The Social World of Ancient Israel” Near East Lohfink, Norbert. “Poverty Laws of the Ancient What is Social Justice? Near East and of the Bible” Law Codes and Social Justice Anderson, Cheryl B. “Biblical Laws: Challenging in the Ancient Near East the Principles of Old Testament Ethics” in From Exodus to C&L Deuteronomy: Covenant Exod 21-23 Code and Deuteronomic Law Deut 15-16, 19-26 April 30 The Ten Commandments Hiebert, Theodore “Beyond Heilsgeschichte” in Decalogue 9:00-5:00 and Social Justice C&L Presentations Brown, William P. “The Moral Cosmologies of Creation and Justice Creation” in C&L Dozeman, Thomas B. “Creation and Stories of Justice: Narratives Environment in the Character Development of of Justice, Injustice, and Moses” in C&L Liberation Waters, John W. "Who was Hagar?" Ekblad, Bob “Resisting Rejection by the ‘Elect’ in Genesis 25-27” in C&L Gen 1-11, 16-21, 25-27 Prov 8 Job 38-41 Psalm 104 May 30 Justice Issue Paper Due June 3 Stories of Justice: Ackermann, Denise M. “Tamar’s Cry: Rereading 3:00-8:00 Narratives of Justice, an Ancient Text in the Midst of an HIV/AIDS Injustice, and Liberation Pandemic” in C&L (Continued) Chaney, Marvin L. “Bitter Bounty: The Dynamics of Political Economy Critiqued by the Eighth- Justice in the Prophets Century Prophets” Roberts, J.J.M. “The End of War in the Zion Tradition” in C&L Exod 1-12 1 Sam 8, 12, 25 2 Sam 7, 10-15 1 Kings 12, 21 Isaiah 2, 9, 11, 49, 60, 65 Amos 1-5, 7 Hosea Micah June 4 Justice in the Psalms Gillingham, Susan. “The Poor in the Psalms” on Bible Study 9:00-5:00 reserve. Presentations Bible Study Presentations Brueggemann, Walter. “Psalms 9-10: A Counter to Conventional Social Reality,” AND “Psalm 109: Steadfast Love as Social Reality” Psalm 46, 48, 76, Jeremiah TBA Psalms 10, 35, 49, 83, and 86, 101