Old Testament Poets



Reformed Theological Seminary

Course Syllabus

Old Testament Wisdom 6OT6341

Instructor: Peter Y. Lee Email: plee@rts.edu

Professor of Old Testament

• Course Description: An examination of the literary structure, themes, and history of the wisdom literature of the Old Testament.

• Course Objectives:

o Comprehension:

1. To increase your knowledge of the English Bible in the Old Testament wisdom books

2. To increase your knowledge of introductory issues in Old Testament wisdom books

3. To increase your knowledge of the development of redemptive themes in the Old Testament wisdom books

o Competence:

1. To sharpen your ability to interpret the Old Testament wisdom in their historical, theological, and literary contexts

2. To sharpen your ability to apply the teaching of the Old Testament sages in your own life and in the life of the local church

3. To prepare those who are called to the ministry for licensure and ordination exams at their local presbyteries

o Character:

1. To be a person of growing faith

2. To be a person of increasing hope

3. To be a person of deepening love

• Required Readings. There are approximately 600 pages of required reading (with the exception of the Scriptural books). For the Old Testament wisdom books, students are free to use any English translation of their choice.

← Tremper Longman, “Book of Proverbs” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (eds. Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson; Downers Grove: IVP, 2005), 539-552

← Peter Enns, “Book of Ecclesiastes” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (eds. Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson; Downers Grove: IVP, 2005), 121-132

← John H. Walton, “Book of Job” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (eds. Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson; Downers Grove: IVP, 2005), 333-346

← B. C. Gregory, “Wisdom and Apocalyptic” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (eds. Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson; Downers Grove: IVP, 2005), 847-853

← D. J. Estes, “Wisdom and Biblical Theology” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (eds. Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson; Downers Grove: IVP, 2005), 219-230

← J. Grant, “Wisdom and Covenant” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (eds. Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson; Downers Grove: IVP, 2005), 219-230

← Michael V. Fox, “Frame-Narrative and Composition of Qoheleth” HUCA 48 (1977), 83-106

← Katharine Dell, “Does the Song of Songs have any connection to Wisdom?” in Perspectives on the Song of Songs (ed. Anselm C. Hagedorn, BZAW 346, Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2005), 8-26

← Kenneth A. Kitchen, “Proverbs 2: Ancient Near Eastern Background” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (eds. Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson; Downers Grove: IVP, 2005), 552-566

← Tremper Longman, “Fear of God in Ecclesiastes,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 25.1 (2015), 13-21

← J. Clinton McCann, “Wisdom’s Dilemma: The Book of Job, the Final Form of the Book of Psalms, and the Entire Bible” in Wisdom, You are My Sister: Studies in Honor of Roland E. Murphy, O. Carm., on the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday (ed. Michael L. Barré; Washington, D. C; Catholic Biblical Association of America, 1997), 18-30

• Requirements:

o Attendance: Since this class is offered as an intensive format and we are limited in actual class meetings, you are required to attend each class. If you know you cannot make it to a class session, notify me in advance.

o Reading Report: See below for details.

o Book Report: See below for details.

o Wisdom Paper: This paper will be a thematic treatment on a theme in the wisdom literature. Although you will most likely focus on the Book of Proverbs, you are required to cite relevant passages in Job and Ecclesiastes. You will choose from one of the two themes provided below and write a paper that summarizes the wisdom instruction concerning that theme. The length of this paper will be 7-8 pages.

Wealth and Poverty or Family Relationships

✓ The minimum requirements for these Term Papers are as follows:

o For page lengths, see above

o Double-spaced lines

o No title page

o A bibliography as the last page of the paper (this is not to be counted as part of the 7-8 page requirement) which uses at least 5 good (solid scholarly, not popular theological, non-internet) sources. Thus, utilize ATLA (see the office for access).

✓ DUE DATE: March 5 (Friday). An electronic copy of the paper is to be turned in (emailed to plee@rts.edu) on the due date provided above either as a Word document or PDF. Late papers will not be accepted.

o Final Grade:

Book Report 40% of total grade Due Feb 26

Wisdom paper 40% of total grade Due Mar 5

Reading Report 20% of total grade Due Mar 12

The following scale will be used to determine your final grade: A (97-100), A- (94-96), B+ (91-93). B (88-90), B- (86-87), C+ (83-85), C (80-82), C- (78-79), D+ (75-77), D (72-74), D- (70-71), F (below 70).

• Office Hours: I meet with students by appointment. Contact me if you would need to meet. I’d love to get together with you to discuss Scripture, theology, ministry, and life.

Reading Report

Provide the date in which you completed each of the required reading assignments and turn this form in on the due date for Reading Reports (Due March 12).

NAME:

← Tremper Longman

“Book of Proverbs” _______________________________________________________

← Peter Enns

“Book of Ecclesiastes” ____________________________________________________

← John H. Walton

“Book of Job” ___________________________________________________________

← B. C. Gregory

“Wisdom and Apocalyptic” ________________________________________________

← D. J. Estes

“Wisdom and Biblical Theology” ____________________________________________

← Jamie Grant

“Wisdom and Covenant” __________________________________________________

← Michael V. Fox

“Frame-Narrative and Composition of Qoheleth” _______________________________

← Katharine Dell

“Does the Song of Songs have any connection to Wisdom?” _______________________

← Kenneth A. Kitchen

“Proverbs 2: Ancient Near Eastern Background” ________________________________

← Tremper Longman

“Fear of God in Ecclesiastes” _______________________________________________

← J. Clinton McCann

“Wisdom’s Dilemma” _____________________________________________________

Book Report

Follow the outline provided below and write a “Book Report” for each of the books below. Due Feb 26 (Friday).

← O. Palmer Robertson, The Christ of Wisdom: A Redemptive-Historical Exploration of the Wisdom Books of the Old Testament (Phillipsburg: P & R, 2017, 1-274

← Tremper Longman, The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom: A Theological Introduction to Wisdom in Israel (Grand Rapdis: Baker Academic, 2017), 1-282

• Your Name:

• Title and Author of Book:

• Report:

1. Overview: Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.

2. Chapter Summaries: Provide a brief summary of each chapter (approximately 3-5 sentences).

3. Critique: Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness.

4. Application: Offer some specific application to your own ministry demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book.

5. Best Quotes: Write significant quotes as you come across them and write a brief paragraph explaining why you found this to be significant (minimum of 5 needed).

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Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes

Course: OT Wisdom Literature

Professor: Peter Y. Lee

Campus: Washington, D. C.

Date: December 22, 2020

|MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes |Rubric |Mini-Justification |

|In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the |Strong | |

|following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each |Moderate | |

|course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the |Minimal | |

|contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes. |None | |

|*As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this | | |

|syllabus. | | |

|Articulation |Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both |Strong |Understanding through lectures |

|(oral & written) |oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, | |and reading, articulation through|

| |historical, and cultural/global information, including | |essay exams and a research paper |

| |details, concepts, and frameworks. Also includes | | |

| |ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to| | |

| |both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. | | |

|Scripture |Significant knowledge of the original meaning of |Strong |Focus in the class is on |

| |Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to | |understanding the original |

| |research further into the original meaning of Scripture| |meaning, with some emphasis on |

| |and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern | |language and more on |

| |circumstances. (Includes appropriate use of original | |hermeneutics, with the goal of |

| |languages and hermeneutics; and integrates theological,| |understanding modern meaning |

| |historical, and cultural/global perspectives.) | | |

|Reformed Theology |Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and |Moderate |The class has a good dose of |

| |practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. | |Reformed distinctives, such as |

| | | |the emphasis on creation, fall, |

| | | |redemption, covenants, and |

| | | |kingship. |

|Sanctification |Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the |Strong |One conscious goal is to see |

| |student’s sanctification. | |students benefit personally in |

| | | |their faith from their |

| | | |understanding of the psalms and |

| | | |wisdom literature |

|Worldview |Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of |Minimal |Several issues in class deal |

| |God. Includes ability to interact within a | |directly with world view, |

| |denominational context, within the broader worldwide | |especially the materials on |

| |church, and with significant public issues. | |wisdom and its use in the ancient|

| | | |and modern world. |

|Winsomely Reformed |Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an |Minimal | Differing views of issues are |

| |appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, | |set forth in an objective, fair, |

| |especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the | |and winsome way |

| |Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians; and | | |

| |a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) | | |

|Pastoral Ministry |Ability to minister the Word of God to hearts and lives|Moderate |Psalms are useful for coping |

| |of both churched and unchurched, to include preaching, | |through various issues in life. |

| |teaching, leading in worship, leading and shepherding | |Wisdom literature are practical |

| |the local congregation, aiding in spiritual maturity, | |guidelines for godly living. |

| |concern for non-Christians. | | |

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