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OT 513: The Five Books of Moses

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - Charlotte

Instructor and Course Designer: Dr. Timothy Laniak, Professor of Biblical Studies

Spring, 2019

Contact Information and Office Hours

Email: tlaniak@gordonconwell.edu

Office hours by appointment

Technical Support

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary offers technical support during regular business hours at 978-646-4198 and servicedesk@gordonconwell.edu.

Schedule and Required Zoom Meetings

Course Dates:

January 22-May 13, 2019

Required Zoom Meetings:

Tuesday, January 22 at 8:00 PM ET February 19 at 8:00 PM ET April 9 at 8:00 PM ET

Course Description

OT513 is an introduction to the content of the Pentateuch (“In the Text”), its historical-cultural background (“Behind the Text”), and its theology and implications for the Church (“In Front of the Text”). The course provides an intentional balancing of these three dimensions and offers general and contextually specific guidelines for biblical interpretation throughout the course.

This course is part of a three-course Old Testament sequence that covers the same material as OT500 in more detail. Students who take the entire three-course sequence do not need to take OT500. However, students who have already taken a version of OT500 developed/taught by a different professor may take one or more courses from this sequence to gain a different perspective and more detail. Students should not mix courses in this sequence with Dr. Laniak’s OT500 course without prior permission.

Relation to Gordon-Conwell Mission

This course satisfies the following institutional learning objectives: “To demonstrate a strong understanding of both the content of the Bible and the overarching redemptive story from Genesis to Revelation.”

Relation to Curriculum

OT513 is an English based Bible elective course that may serve any student in any program. However, this course is built as the first of a 6-course sequence of English based Bible courses that are more in-depth than OT and NT Survey courses.

Course Purpose and Objectives

• Gain an established foundation for further study of the Old Testament and the New Testament through learning the main figures, events and themes of the Five Books of Moses or Pentateuch.

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• Gain an understanding of the Pentateuch as Scripture while being able to articulate an understanding of the nature of biblical revelation in the context of ancient genre and literature parallels.

• Gain an understanding of the unique themes and features of each book of the Pentateuch, with an initial sense of how biblical theology is developed.

• Explore a variety of connections between the Pentateuch and the rest of the Old Testament and the New Testament.

• Reflect on the usefulness of the Pentateuch for Christian life and ministry. • Gain awareness of some resources and topics that are often featured in more advanced courses. • Gain new confidence and experience with some tools to teach the Pentateuch in lay settings.

Requirements and point value

Course requirements Time commitment Percentage

Bible reading log (c. 200 pgs) and outlines 20 hours 10

Lecture viewing 15 hours 10

App prompts 20 hours 5

Participation (4 forum posts/replies; 3 Zoom meetings)

10 hours 7

6 Worksheets 25 hours 18

Guiding Question essays (incl. drafts) 25 hours 25

Multiple choice test (incl. preparation) 20 hours 25

Total 135 hours 100%

Notes:

Point value varies from time allotments because written assignments provide more complete assessments for certain learning objectives.

Reading time varies a great deal from person to person. This is only an average and a gauge for planning. Students who want to excel may spend more than the allotted time in any of these categories.

Required Materials

Bible: Students are required to read the Pentateuch in a version they have not used before. To help make this choice, please refer to How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth. Fee, Gordon D. and Strauss, Mark L., Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007.

BibleJourney App (available without cost for students in this course). Download instructions will be made available to students once the roster is in place. The site for download is www.biblejourney.com.

All other resources (e.g., articles, audio files, videos, bibliographies, etc.) are either in the app, in Canvas course resources, at biblejourney.com or listed in the GCTS Cooley Center online bibliographies (https://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/InternetResourcesforBiblECStudies-3rded.pdf).

The chapter selections (available electronically in Canvas) are taken from books* you may want to review for purchase:

Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative, Revised and Updated Edition. New York: Basic, 2011. Pages 1-13. ISBN-13: 978-0465022557

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Hugenberger, Gordon. “Theology of the Pentateuch.” Semlink course recordings, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 2006. Used by permission. (These will be available in Canvas.)

Laniak, Timothy. Guide for Hebrew Exegesis: A Step by Step Approach. Bellingham: Logos, 2009. Used by permission.

Niehaus, Jeffrey J. God at Sinai: Covenant and Theophany in the Bible and Ancient Near East. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1995. ISBN-13: 978-0310494713

Poythress, Vern Sheridan. The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses. Brentwood, Tennessee: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1991. ISBN-13: 978-0875523750

Youngblood, Ronald. The Heart of the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998. ISBN-13: 978-0801021725.

Other recommended tools* for the Five Books of Moses include the following (see also final syllabus page):

Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch, 3rd ed. Carlisle: Paternoster Press and Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-0801039980

Arnold, Bill T. and Beyer, Bryan E. ed. Readings from the Ancient Near East. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002. ISBN-13: 978-0801022920

The Essential IVP Reference Collection: The Complete Electronic Bible Study Resource 3.0. Bellingham: Logos, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-0830824472 (A collection of eight major Bible dictionaries and other smaller guides. I recommend this as an electronic tools “starter kit” for all seminary students. The articles have good bibliographies for further study. Get whatever version you can.)

Matthews, Victor H. and Benjamin, Don C. Old Testament Parallels: Laws and Stories from the Ancient Near East, rev. and expanded 4th ed. Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist, 2016. E-Book

Kline, Meredith G. The Structure of Biblical Authority, Revised Edition. Wipf & Stock Publishers, 1997. 7-203. ISBN-13: 978-1579100698

Kline, Meredith. Treaty of the Great King: The Covenant Structure of Deuteronomy: Studies and Commentary. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1963. E-Book.

*Although several of the books on these lists are dated, they are classic, readable introductions to key topics that have stood the test of time. The app includes over 50 references to current written resources in the exercises and over 70 onsite videos, many of which involve interviews with specialists and guests (archaeologists Robert Holmser and Gabriel Barkai; Egyptologists Mariam Ayad and Esam Zeid; biblical botanist Ronit Maoz; Bible text scholar Emanuel Tov, Professors Haidar Hallasah, Steve Wunderink and Anne Zaki; authors Dan Juster, Phil Needham and Anne Graham Lotz; linguist Iain Pickett; Bedouin Abu-Sabah; Samaritan High Priest; artist Lika Tov; musician Sara Groves; and Egyptian church leaders Andrea Zaki and Sameh Maurice).

Required Learning Activities

During this semester you are expected to read all of the Five Books of Moses (Pentateuch) in a translation that is new for you. Read these before engaging the app, creating a fresh 1-page (single spaced) outline of each book.

You will also read and do assignments with selections from your textbooks as assigned for each module.

You will use the BibleJourney app to watch short lecture videos for each lesson. Most of these videos are from a classroom setting; others are onsite videos. The length of these vides is usually between 1-6 minutes. You are required to watch all of them.

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You are required to respond to all of the interactive prompts in the app. These can all be answered in-app except the prompt at the end of each book to draft essays for five Guiding Questions (see next).

Your five Guiding Questions essays will grow throughout the term as you add content from each book. You will turn them in for feedback during the semester. The essays will be synthesized in a set of final, finished essays.

1. What does this portion of Scripture reveal about God? How is God progressively revealed over time? (Include metaphors, characteristics and mission of God.)

2. What does this portion of Scripture reveal about God’s people, their relationship with God and each other, and their role and mission in the world? (Include metaphors, mission, ethics, worship, “living by faith,” etc.)

3. How does this portion of Scripture anticipate the New Testament? (Include typology, promises, predictions, and the overall history of redemption.)

4. Describe the nature of biblical revelation by referring to the similarities and differences this portion of Scripture shares with extrabiblical parallels. This essay should comment on literary genre as well as social, political and economic institutions that are woven into the fabric of the Bible.

5. In what ways has God spoken to you in your journey through this portion of Scripture?

The final, take-home, open-book assignment is comprised of five (5) separate 1,000 word essays (hard limit), one essay for each Guiding Question. Although students may use much of their content from their previous reflections, these should be newly crafted essays (not simply edited versions of previous submissions). Be comprehensive: Each essay should include content and samples from a variety of genres and from each book. Be integrative: This is not an outline but rather a summary that synthesizes your findings across this portion of Scripture.

There are six worksheets described in the course outline. These are interspersed between typical Bible content modules to help reinforce your understanding of specific topics that are In, Behind or In Front of the Text.

You will take a 100-question multiple choice test at the end of the semester. This will demonstrate your mastery of the objective content in the Pentateuch.

Grading

The number of points available for the course is 500. The total will be divided by five. Final letter grades will then be applied with cutoffs as follows:

A 95, A- 90, B+ 87, B 83, B- 80, C+ 77, C 73, C- 70, D+ 67, D 63, D- 60, F below 60.

A grade of A+ will be given very rarely, when the student’s work is truly exceptional. (At Gordon-Conwell, a grade of A+ and a grade of A are both counted the same way in calculating the student’s GPA. Thus, a GPA above 4.0 is not possible.)

Other Course and Seminary Policies (For Seminary policies not referenced, refer to the Student Handbook.)

Late Work

All late work, excepting forum participation assignments, will be penalized the equivalent of one letter grade per week beyond the due date, unless arrangements are made ahead of time. Forum assignments turned in late will receive no credit. Extenuating circumstances will be considered as appropriate. Work turned in later than the last day of the final week will normally require an extension approved by the Seminary. If you anticipate a problem, contact me as soon as possible.

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Instructor Feedback

I will attempt to respond to questions or messages within 24-48 hours, excluding Sundays. I will also do my best to provide feedback on assignments and post grades on Canvas within one week of submission.

Document Formatting and Citation Style

Assignments must be submitted electronically by posting on the Canvas site. Hard-copies will not be accepted. If you use a different word processor than MS-Word, please convert the files to PDF before submitting them. Otherwise please submit Word files. Worksheet assignments can be written as question/answer according to the syllabus directions.

The final form of the Guiding Question essays should be double spaced with 1” margins on all sides of each page, and in Times New Roman 12-point type or another font of similar size and appearance. Citations should preferably follow Turabian style, although APA style is also acceptable. The Guiding Question essay drafts are only for review as you prepare to write your final essays at the end of the semester. The drafts do not have to be in final form when submitted.

Netiquette

Gordon-Conwell does not tolerate disruptive or disrespectful behavior in the online communications of any course. Students should review the netiquette policy in the Student Handbook and this website: http://www.albion.com/netiquette.

Suggested Summaries of the Whole Bible

Bartholomew, Craig G. and Michael W. Goheen. The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in

the Biblical Story (Baker Academic, 2004). Bartholomew, Craig G. and Michael W. Goheen. The True Story of the Whole World: Finding

Your Place in the Biblical Drama (Faith Alive, 2009). Evans, Craig A. God Speaks: What He Says, What He Means (Worthy Books, 2015). Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible Book by Book (Zondervan, 2014). Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Zondervan, 2014). Kaminski, Carol. CASKET EMPTY: God’s Plan of Redemption through History (CasketEmpty Media, 2012) Richter, Sandra L. The Epic of Eden (InterVarsity, 2008). Williams, H. H. Drake. Making Sense of the Bible (Kregel, 2006). Williams, Michael D. Far As the Curse is Found (P&R Publishing, 2005). Wright, Christopher J.H. The Mission of God (InterVarsity Press, 2006)

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Syllabus Addendum

Academic Standards

Cheating and plagiarism are considered serious breaches of personal and academic integrity. Cheating involves, but is not necessarily limited to, the use of unauthorized sources of information during an examination or the submission of the same (or substantially same) work for credit in two or more courses without the knowledge and consent of the instructors. Plagiarism involves the use of another person’s distinctive ideas or words, whether published or unpublished, and representing them as one’s own instead of giving proper credit to the source. Plagiarism can also involve over dependence on other source material for the scope and substance of one’s writing. Such breaches in academic standards often result in a failing grade as well as other corrective measures. For more information, please consult the Student Handbook.

ADA Policy

The seminary complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A student with a qualifying and authenticated disability who is in need of accommodations should petition the seminary in accordance with the stated guidelines in the Student Handbook.

Cancellation of Class

In the event the seminary has to cancel a class meeting (impending storm, professor illness, etc.), the Registration Office will send out an email (via the GCTS email account) notification to all students registered in the respective course. If the cancelation occurs the day of the scheduled meeting, the Registration Office will also attempt to contact students via their primary phone contact on record. The professor will contact the students (via GCTS account) regarding make-up. If a weekend class is cancelled, the class will be made up during the scheduled Make-Up weekend (see the Academic Calendar for the designated dates). For more info, consult your Student Handbook.

Extension Policy

Arrangements for submission of late work at a date on or before the end date for the semester as noted on the seminary’s Academic Calendar are made between the student and professor. Formal petition to the Registration Office is not required in this case. This includes arrangements for the rescheduling of final exams.

However, course work (reading and written) to be submitted after the publicized end date for the semester must be approved by the Registration Office. An extension form, available online, must be submitted to the Registration Office prior to the stated date. Requests received after this date will either be denied or incur additional penalty. For a full discussion of this policy, please consult the Student Handbook.

Grades

Faculty are expected to turn in final grades by January 15 for fall-semester courses, by June 1 for spring-semester courses, and by September 15 for summer-term courses. Grades are posted on-line within twenty-four hours of receipt from the professor. Students are expected to check their CAMS student portal in order to access posted grades (unless instructed otherwise). Those individuals who need an official grade report issued to a third party should put their request in writing to the Registration Office.

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Course Schedule and Assignment Due Dates

Notes: Unless otherwise specified, all coursework is due at 11:59 PM ET on its due date.

Bible reading is expected to take place prior to any assignments.

The final two worksheets, scheduled for the 13th week, will take more time than the previous ones (and have slightly higher point value). Plan accordingly.

In general, the more you accelerate the following schedule of assignments, the more you can dedicate your attention in the final week(s) to synthesizing your learning for the final test and Guiding Question Essays.

Getting Started (1/22-2/4)

Assignments due:

1. Office Hours: Tuesday, January 22 at 8:00 PM 2. First Activity: Course Introductions (due 1/28) 3. Second Activity: Course Acknowledgement (due 2/4)

Week 1 (2/5-2/11): Introductory Topics

Assignments due Feb. 11:

1. Read and outline Gen 1-11. 2. Watch lesson videos and respond to prompts.

Lessons

Journey Prep

Orientation

Geography and Religion

Geopolitical History

Ancient Near Eastern Sources

Impacts of the Old Testament

Week 2 (2/12-2/18): Prologue to Genesis and the Bible (Gen 1-11)

Assignments due Feb. 18:

1. Watch lesson videos and respond to prompts. 2. Begin next week’s ANE parallels assignment.

Lessons

Creation of the World

Royal Image Bearers

Rebellion and Consequences

The Flood

Babel and the Scattering of Nations

Week 3 (2/19-2/25): Ancient Near Eastern Parallels

Assignments due Feb. 25:

1. ANE Comparative Analysis Worksheet (2 pgs)

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After you finish the readings and videos in Week 2, compare and contrast the biblical account of creation in Genesis 1 &2 with the Mesopotamian creation account, Enuma Elish. (See Canvas to download chart with reference url.)

Post your completed chart as a PDF in Canvas.

2. POST/REPLY: Describe your comfort level for similarities with biblical parallels. (one paragraph post/reply to two others)

3. Read Genesis 12-50. Finish outlining Genesis. Submit outline in Canvas.

Week 4 (2/26-3/4): Covenant Family Established (Gen 12-50)

Assignments due Mar. 4:

Office Hours: Tuesday, February 26 at 8 PM ET.

1. Watch lesson videos and respond to prompts.

2. Submit drafts of Guiding Questions for Genesis.

3. Begin next week’s assignments.

Lessons

The Patriarchs

Abraham

Jacob

Joseph

Genesis summary

Week 5 (3/5-3/11): Historical Narrative

Assignments due March 11:

1. Narrative Worksheet (2 pgs)

Read Genesis 37-39, Laniak, “Poetics” in Handbook for Hebrew Exegesis (pp. 29-38) and Alter, The Art of Biblical Narrative, pp. 1-13. Then answer the following questions:

1. What are the elements of narrative? 2. What are the connections between Genesis 37, 38 and 39? 3. What are the main points of each chapter? 4. Considering all the above:

a. Does chapter 38 fit in the narrative of chs. 37-39? Why or why not? b. In what ways is biblical narrative “theological”?

c. What does narrative tell us about the nature of Scripture?

Post your completed worksheet in the appropriately marked assignment in Canvas.

2. POST/REPLY: Describe your comfort level with literary artistry in the Bible. (one paragraph post/reply to two others)

3. Read and outline Exodus 1-19.

Week 6 (3/12-3/18): Covenant People Rescued (Exod 1-19)

Assignments due March 18:

1. Watch lesson videos and respond to prompts.

2. Read Exodus 20-40. Finish outlining Exodus. Submit outline in Canvas.

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Lessons

Rescuer Prepared

Judgment by Plagues

Passover

Liberation: Crossing the Sea

Journey to Sinai

Week 7 (3/19-3/25): Theophany

Assignments due March 25:

1. Mt. Sinai and Theophany Worksheet (2 pgs)

Read Niehaus, God at Sinai, ch 6, pp. 181-205 and consult relevent IVP Dictionaries. Then answer the following questions:

1. Define theophany. 2. Outline the framework of the Sinai event(s) from Exodus. What are the main elements

involved? 3. In what ways is theophany described? Find ways in which theophany is present in multiple

places in the “Sinai” events in Exodus. 4. What historical and/or ritual events are related to theophany language at Sinai? 5. Describe comparable “theophanies” from Israel’s neighbors to those in the biblical accounts. 6. What is the purpose of theophany according to Niehaus? How does this purpose relate to the

event(s) at Sinai?

Post your completed worksheet in the appropriately marked assignment in Canvas.

Week 8 (3/26-4/1): Holy Calling, Holy Place (Exod 20-40)

Assignments due April 1:

1. Watch lesson videos and respond to prompts.

2. Submit drafts of Guiding Question Essay for Exodus.

3. Read and outline Leviticus 1-16.

Lessons

National Covenant Initiated

National Covenant Formalized

Laws of the Divine King

Sacred Place: Tabernacle

Tabernacle as New Creation

Week 9 (4/2-4/8): Holy Priesthood, Holy Offerings (Lev 1-16)

Assignments due April 8:

1. Watch lesson videos and respond to prompts.

2. Read Leviticus 17-27. Finish outlining Leviticus. Submit outline in Canvas.

3. Submit drafts of Guiding Question Essays for Leviticus. (optional)

Lessons

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Holy Priesthood (Pt 1)

Holy Priesthood (Pt 2)

Sacred Offerings and Sacrifices

Unique Offerings

Views of Sanctity

Week 10 (4/9-15):

Assignments due April 8

Office Hours: Tuesday, April 9 at 8:00 PM ET 1. Ritual and Leviticus Worksheet (2 pgs)

Read the relevant chapter in Poythress, The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses, for one of the following topics. Consider supplementing your reading with Youngblood and IVP Dictionary articles.

1. Tabernacle 2. Sacrifices 3. Priesthood

For your topic, summarize briefly its…

1. Definition and description 2. Purpose and use 3. Meaning in context, historical period 4. Failures/successes 5. NT fulfillment

Post your completed worksheet in the appropriately marked assignment in Canvas.

2. Read and outline Numbers. Submit outline in Canvas.

3. Submit drafts of Guiding Question Essays for Numbers. (optional)

Week 11 (4/16-4/22): Holy Days, Holy People (Lev 17-27; Num 1-20)

Assignments due April 22:

1. Watch lesson videos and respond to prompts.

2. Post a 250-word comparison/contrast of Sabbath’s biblical meaning, purpose and observance and Sunday’s historical meaning, purpose and observance in the Church.

Lessons

Sacred Time: Sabbath and Jubilee

Sacred Time: Pilgrimage Festivals

Sacred Community

People Ready

People Not Ready

Week 12 (4/23-4/29): Looking Back, Heading Home (Num 21-36; Deut)

Assignments due April 29:

1. Read and outline Deuteronomy. Submit outline in Canvas.

2. Watch lesson videos and respond to prompts.

3. Submit drafts of Guiding Question Essays for Deuteronomy. (optional)

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4. Begin working on next week’s assignments.

Lessons

Ready or Not…

Covenantal History

Covenantal Challenge

Case Study: Moses

Embracing the Covenant

Week 13 (4/30-5/6): Biblical Theology (Covenant) and Authorship

Assignments due May 6:

1. Covenant and Biblical Theology Worksheet (3 pgs)

This worksheet will be help you synthesize your thinking on a primary topic in the Pentateuch. To answer the following questions, use your notes from weeks 1-12, and readings from Youngblood’s The Heart of the Old Testament (chps 4, 5). Students will find recordings from Hugenberger’s “Theology of the Pentateuch” course (lectures 1&2) and IVP Dictionary articles (including the Dictionary of Biblical Theology) helpful for this essay. Consider consulting Kline’s books in recommended resources as well.

1. What is a covenant in the Bible? Note how covenant is defined in the context of each book: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

2. What is the nature of covenants in the ANE? Refer to examples found in ANE documents and identify similarities and differences.

3. In light of ANE treaty and covenant parallels, what do we learn about God’s desired relationship with his people?

4. Biblical theology looks at the primary themes of the Bible, from beginning to end. Explain how covenant serves as an overarching theme in the Pentateuch. Post your completed worksheet in the appropriately marked assignment in Canvas.

2. Authorship Worksheet (3 pgs)

This worksheet will bring your studies of the Pentateuch (particularly Genesis and Deuteronomy) and your worksheet on Covenant to bear on the topic of authorship. First listen to Hugenberger recordings (lectures 1&2). Consider consulting recommended Alexander and IVP Dictionaries.

1. What factors should be considered historically when considering the authorship of the Pentateuch as a whole and each book independently?

2. What is the evidence for and against Mosaic authorship of the entire Pentateuch? Consider “In the Text,” “Behind the Text,” and “In Front of the Text” items for your list.

3. What is the evidence for or against Moses’ authorship of any part of the Pentateuch? 4. What is the “Deuteronomic school”? What are presumed to be the essentials of Deuteronomic

thought? How does Deuteronomic thought affect the argument for or against Moses’ authorship? 5. Based on your studies over this course, what is your personal view of the Pentateuch’s authorship?

Has this view changed or been affected by your study of the Pentateuch? Why and how? Post your completed worksheet in the appropriately marked assignment in Canvas.

3. POST/REPLY: Post a one-paragraph summary of the pros and cons of the Bible translation you used (reply to two others).

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Week 14 (5/7-5/13): Wrap up

Assignments due May 13

1. Multiple Choice Test (100 questions)

2. Guiding Question Essays (five total; 1,000 word limit each)

3. Bible Reading log due (name the translation)