General information

• Study points: 3.00
• Language: English
• Category: Lectures
• Duration: 26.0 hours 
• Periodicity: Taught every three years (2011-2012, 2014-2015, ...)
• POC: POC Theology and Religious Studies

Taught by

Vervenne Marc
Debel Hans (substitute)

Aims

• To acquire a basic knowledge of the canon and contents of the Old Testament in general and the Pentateuch in particular
  
• To develop hermeneutical strategies for a critical interpretation of biblical texts from the Old Testament in general and the Pentateuch in particular
  
• To become acquainted with the nomenclature of the scientific study of the Old Testament
  
• To gain insight into the major developments of the scientific study of the Old Testament, with particular emphasis on the historical-critical study of the Pentateuch

Content

After a general introduction situating the historical-critical study of the Bible into its wider context of church and theology, and a first orientation on the contents and canon of the Old Testament, three topics will be addressed, each of them putting particular emphasis on the study of the Pentateuch: (1) the physical text(s) of the Pentateuch; (2) the historical-critical study of the Pentateuch; and (3) the historicity of the Pentateuchal narratives. Finally, the ‘Primeval History’ (Genesis 1-11) will be presented in detail as a paradigmatic case-study.

Course Material

Students are expected to take notes during the classes, for which powerpointpresentations will be made available on the Toledo website. Moreover, for a limited part of the course’s contents, more extensive notes will be provided through Toledo.
 
As text of the Bible, the New Revised Standard Version (1989) will be used.
 
Background information on the topics discussed can be found in recent introductions to the Old Testament, e.g.,  T. Römer – J.-D. Macchi – C. Nihan (ed.), Introduction à l’Ancien Testament, Genève: Labor et Fides, 2009; J.J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2004; D.M. Carr, An Introduction to the Old Testament, West Sussex – Oxford – Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell, 2010; and E. Zenger (red.), Einleitung in das Alte Testament, Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 7th improved edition 2008.

Course activities

Students are expected to attend the classes and to take notes. They are encouraged to reflect critically upon the contents of the course and to stimulate the reflection of their fellow students through questions and discussion. Moreover, it may serve as an advantage if they become further acquainted with the Old Testament in general and the Pentateuch in particular through their own reading of texts, individually or in group.

General information

• Study points: 3.00
• Language: English
• Category: Lectures
• Duration: 26.0 hours 
• Periodicity: Taught every three years (2011-2012, 2014-2015, ...)
• POC: POC Theology and Religious Studies

Taught by

Van Belle Gilbert

Aims

See above.

Content

Introduction to the three “Synoptic Gospels”, their authors, their date of composition, their relationship (synoptic problem), their contents and their special characteristics.
Exemplary study of a passage from the threefold tradition (Matthew, Mark, Luke), a passage of the twofold tradition (Matthew – Luke: Quelle), and a passage of the peculiar material (Sondergut).

Course Material

• Textbook: The (New) Revised Standard Version.
  
  
• K. ALAND, Synopsis of the Four Gospels. Greek-English edition of the Synopsis Quatuor Evangeliorum, Stuttgart, German Bible Society, 7th ed. 1984.
  
  
• J.M. ROBINSON, P. HOFFMANN, J.S. KLOPPENBORG & M.C. MORELAND (eds.), The Sayings Gospel Q in Greek and English with Parallels from the Gospels of Mark and Thomas, Leuven, Peeters, 2001

Evaluation description

Examination type:
    oral with written preparation
When?: final examination during examination period
Evaluation type:
    Closed book

Explanation

More details concerning the evaluation will be provided in class.