Scripture and Tradition Workbook and Syllabus for Students of Holy Cross Theological Seminary

Scripture and Tradition Workbook and Syllabus For Students of Holy Cross Theological Seminary

The first in a series of workbooks/syllabi designed to prepare candidates for qualification for the Diaconal and Priestly Ministry within the Old Catholic Church of America THE VERY REV'D WILLIAM J. M. SMITH, M.DIV. DEAN OF HOLY CROSS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY REQUIRED TEXTS:

This course is designed with two basic texts both are required:

Understanding the Old Testament, Abridged and Updated [ABRIDGED] by Bernhard W. Anderson, Katheryn Pfisterer Darr, Textbook Binding - 635 pages 4 edition (September 15, 1997) Prentice Hall; ISBN: 0139483993

Understanding the New Testament by Howard Clark Kee, Carter Lindberg (Contributor), Emily Albu Hanawalt (Contributor) Hardcover - 448 pages 5 edition (January 21, 1993) Prentice Hall; ISBN: 0139482660

Both are available from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, both are expensive. These are excellent texts and are worth the money. If you can find earlier or used editions that would also be a good way in which to save money.

Both of these texts will be invaluable in your personal library. Both need to be completed in a timely fashion. The are the core reading that you will need to do for your Canonical Examination at the end of your seminary, and prior to ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons.

SUGGESTED TEXTS:

The New Jerome Biblical Commentary by Raymond Edward Brown (Editor), Joseph A. Fitzmeyer (Contributor), Ronald E. Murphy, Roland E. Murphy (Contributor) Hardcover - 890 pages Reissue edition (September 1989) Pearson Ptr; ISBN: 0136149340

An Introduction to the New Testament (Anchor Bible Reference Library) By Raymond Edward Brown, Hardcover - 896 pages 1 Ed edition (October 1, 1997) Doubleday; ISBN: 0385247672

The Canon of the New Testament : Its Origin, Development, and Significance by Bruce Manning Metzger, Paperback - 336 pages Reprint edition (April 1997) Clarendon Pr; ISBN: 0198269544

1. Scripture and Tradition

Your authentic thoughts and feelings are a valid resource for later reference. When you do record information gathered from another resource, be sure to include appropriate reference citations.

At your qualifying exam in Scripture and Tradition, you may be asked to discuss anything covered in this workbook. You may use your completed workbook to do so.

Email or mail a copy of any assignment marked with two asterisks [**] to the Dean as soon as you have completed it.

The Very Rev'd William J. M. Smith 2013 Mc Kenna Blvd Madison, Wisconsin 53711-3907 [email protected]

2.1 Choose one or two translations of the Bible to use for the exercises in this workbook. [See note N2.1] **WHICH TRANSLATION (S) HAVE YOU CHOSEN, AND WHY?

2.2 Choose one lectionary to use for the exercises in this workbook. [See note N2.2] **WHICH LECTIONARY HAVE YOU CHOSEN, AND WHY?

2.3 **LIST THE FULL BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION FOR EACH BIBLE RESEARCH RESOURCE ON YOUR "PASTOR'S SHELF" (or in other locally available libraries) which you read and/or used during your completion of this workbook. [See note N2.3]

2.4 Read some scripture and/or spiritual reading every day, even if no more than a few sentences, and spend a few quiet moments reflecting on what you've read.

2.4.1 Make a brief annotated list of the general content and context of Hebrew Scripture (the Old Testament) and the New Testament. [See note N2.4.1]

2.4.2 **LIST THE FULL BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION FOR EACH OTHER-THAN-BIBLE SPIRITUAL READING RESOURCE YOU READ AND/OR USED DURING YOUR COMPLETION OF THIS WORKBOOK.

2.5 METHODS

Choose and read 2 or more different books on methods for interpreting and applying scripture. **List the full references for your choice of books. [See note N2.5] **IN ABOUT 1500 WORDS, LIST AND BRIEFLY ANNOTATE SEVERAL OF THE METHODS DISCUSSED IN THESE BOOKS.

2.6 LECTIONARY SCRIPTURE

2.6.1 **Find a useful definition of a homily.

2.6.2 For a time period of 9 consecutive weeks, daily Monday through Friday of each week, read the lectionary readings for the coming Sunday. Spend a few quiet moments reflecting on those readings, and then record notes in a scripture journal, as follows:

2.6.2.1 On Monday Record both the calendar date and the lectionary designation of the coming Sunday, along with the Psalm, Epistle and Gospel citations of book, chapter and verse.

2.6.2.2 Daily Monday-Friday Record any old questions these readings answer for you, and any new questions the readings raise in you. Write down anything else you want to include.

2.6.2.3 On Friday Consult your Bible research resources regarding these readings. Record here brief notes about whatever information you find.

2.6.2.4 On Saturday Review your scripture journal from the week. Record any trends, conclusions, integrations or new inspirations you discern.

2.6.3 **FOR EACH OF THE 9 WEEKS, WRITE AN OUTLINE FOR A 10-MINUTE HOMILY BASED ON THE SUNDAY LECTIONARY READINGS, INTEGRATING YOUR RESEARCH AND PERSONAL DISCERNMENT.

2.6.4 **DURING THE 9 WEEKS, WRITE OUT IN FULL 3 DIFFERENT 10-MINUTE HOMILIES BASED ON YOUR WEEKLY OUTLINES (ONE FROM THE 1ST OR 2ND WEEK; ONE FROM THE 3RD, 4TH OR 5TH TH OR TH WEEK; ONE FROM THE 8 9 WEEK).

2.6.5 In addition to all of the above, toward the end of this assignment, thoroughly review your scripture journal and discern the ways in which you personally tend and prefer to interpret and apply scripture and spiritual reading. **WRITE AN ARTICLE OF ABOUT 1500 WORDS IN LENGTH, IN WHICH YOU REFLECT AND DISCUSS THIS DISCERNMENT.

2.7 Need-appropriate scripture and spiritual reading

2.7.1 Choose eight conditions (for example, instruction, comfort, inspiration, anger, fear, grief, confusion, wisdom, sin, forgiveness, trial and tribulation, justice, discouragement, despair, hope, the promises of God, etc) which you might expect to encounter in the ministry style of your choice. **WHICH EIGHT CONDITIONS HAVE YOU CHOSEN, AND WHY?

2.7.2 Collect scripture and spiritual reading which speaks to each of those eight conditions. Keep a record of the references necessary to locate all of the collected scripture and spiritual reading for each condition.

2.8 Life example and teachings of Jesus Research the character, personality and journey of Jesus; the parables and other teachings of Jesus; and the pastoral discourses of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew -- directly from scripture and from other resources. Reflect on the life example and teachings of Jesus. **INTEGRATE THIS RESEARCH AND REFLECTION INTO AN ARTICLE OF ABOUT 3000 WORDS IN LENGTH.

2.9 THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH

Research the promise of life and light in the Johannine Gospel and Epistles; the epistolary teachings of Paul; and the encouraging witness of James, Peter and Jude -- directly from scripture, and from other early documents such as the Didache. Reflect on the earliest apostolic church (as it is portrayed in scripture and other early documents: remember that this is not the History workbook, but Scripture and Tradition workbook). **INTEGRATE THIS RESEARCH AND REFLECTION INTO A ARTICLE OF ABOUT 5000 WORDS IN LENGTH.

2.10 The history of God and of God's relationship with humanity

2.10.1 Use scriptural references to tell about God's covenants with Abram, Jacob, Joseph, David and the children of Israel. **WRITE THIS AS A STORY OF ABOUT 1500 WORDS IN LENGTH. (FOR THIS AND ALL STORIES, REMEMBER THAT A STORY IS MORE THAN JUST A DRY LIST OF FACTS.)

2.10.2 Use scriptural references to tell the story of God's justice, love, holiness, new covenant and honor (see the prophets Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) **WRITE THIS AS AN INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE OF ABOUT 3000 WORDS IN LENGTH.

2.11 EXEMPLARY CHARACTERS

2.11.1 Use scriptural references to tell about Abraham and Sarah's change of heart **WRITE THIS AS A STORY OF ABOUT 1500 WORDS IN LENGTH.

2.11.2 Use scriptural references to tell the story of David's heroic trials, tragedies and triumphs; and his relationship with Jonathan. **WRITE THIS AS A STORY OF ABOUT 1500 WORDS IN LENGTH.

2.11.3 Use scriptural references to tell the story of Ruth's faithfulness; and her relationship with Naomi. **WRITE THIS AS A STORY OF ABOUT 1500 WORDS IN LENGTH.

NOTES:

N2.1 FOR EXAMPLE,

The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha: New Revised Standard Version, An Ecumenical Study Bible. Oxford University Press, 1991.

New American Bible. Catholic Book Publishing Company, any edition containing an index to Catholic doctrine in scripture.

The Orthodox Study Bible: New Testament and Psalms: Discovering Orthodox Christianity in the Pages of the New Testament. Nelson/St Athanasius Orthodox Academy, 1993.

N2.2 FOR EXAMPLE,

St Herman's Orthodox Calendar. Light and Life Publ Co, annual.

Lectionary in The Orthodox Study Bible. Nelson/St Athanasius Orthodox Academy, 1993.

The Book of Common Prayer according to the use of the Episcopal Church USA. Oxford University Press, 1990.

Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church USA. Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993.

Roman Missal (Daily and Sunday). Catholic Book Publishing Company, any recent edition.

N2.3 FOR EXAMPLE,

Metzger and Coogan, Eds, The Oxford Companion to the Bible, Oxford University Press, 1993.

LaSor, Hubbard and Bush, Old Testament Survey, Eerdmans, 1996.

Gundrey, A Survey of the New Testament, Zondervan, Third Edition, 1994.

Carson, Moo and Morris, An Introduction to the New Testament, Zondervan, 1992.

Halley's Bible Handbook, Zondervan, any edition, 1927-1965.

Strong's Concordance of the Bible. Riverside, any edition.

ANY GOOD BIBLE DICTIONARY.

BIBLE COMMENTARIES, e.g.,

- Jamison, Fausset and Brown, A Commentary in 3 vols. Eerdmans. - - Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible in 3 vols. Hendrickson. - - Matthew Henry's Commentary, available in several Biblical software packages.

- Dianne Bergant, Ed, Collegeville Commentary on the New American Bible, Liturgical Press, 1989 (NT) and 1992 (OT).

Bloom and Rosenberg, The Book of J, Grove Weidenfeld, 1990.

Mack, The Lost Gospel: The Book of Q and Christian Origins, HarperSanFrancisco, 1993.

N2.4.1 USING, FOR EXAMPLE,

LaSor, Hubbard and Bush, Old Testament Survey, Eerdmans, 1996.

Gundrey, A Survey of the New Testament, Zondervan, Third Edition, 1994.

Carson, Moo and Morris, An Introduction to the New Testament, Zondervan, 1992.

N2.5 USING, FOR EXAMPLE,

Thomas and Wyschogrod, Understanding Scripture: Explorations of Jewish and Christian Traditions of Interpretation, Paulist Press, 1987.

Hayes and Holladay, Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner's Handbook, Westminster/John Knox, 1987.

Childs, Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments, Fortress, 1993.