1.271 - Opening the Scriptures: The Old Testament in the New

SCHEDULE

September 3

• Introduction to course and review of Ancient Documents and Topics of Study
• Note some general observations
• What do we mean by Scripture? Why is the use of the OT in the NT relevant? >> Ps 22.1 and Mark 15.34
• Introductory Exercises:
  • Greek Numbers.pdf
  • Barnabas9.6 318Men.pdf
  • Download site for OT Quotes and Allusions in the NT for BW and Logos
    In BW7, after downloading the ZIP file, unzip the contents into your \Program Files\BibleWorks7\init\ directory. You can access the Synopsis files by opening the Synopsis tool, then using File>Open and choosing 
    In Logos, after downloading the ZIP file, unzip the contents into your \My Documents\Libronix\ParallelPassages\ directory. (If this subdirectory does not exist, you may need to create it.) In Logos, use Tools>Bible Comparison>Parallel Passages and Harmonies. Click on the "Source" button to choose the synopsis you want to see.
    In Accordance, use GNT-T Notes.
• Psalm 22.1 and Mark 15.34.pdf

September 10

• Choose an Ancient Document upon which you will report. <<< Suggestions listed on the linked page
• Be considering a topic of study upon which you will present and also write your final paper. Finalized by the 17th.
• Read the first half of Early Biblical Interpretation (the part by Kugel)
• History of Biblical Versions.pdf
• History of Versions of the Psalter.pdf
• Exercises (handed out in class)
  • Acts 4

September 17 - NOTE: Due to Middler class meeting, class will start at 2:00pm > 5pm

• Topics of Study: Assigned
• Note schedule for Ancient Document presentations
• Read the second half of Early Biblical Interpretation (the part by Greer)
• OT in the NT - Matthew 4.4 - If you have BibleWorks, this is a good exercise for working your way into the resources for doing OT in NT work.
• Prophecy >< Typology
• Library tour! (Library layout)
• Exercises
  • Servant Text references in the NT
  • Isaiah 53.4 & Matthew 8.17 and Isaiah 42 and Matthew 12.17-21  

September 24 - NO CLASS

October 1

• Ancient Document Presentations
  • Linda: 1 Enoch
  • Julie: Jubilees
  • Greg: Joseph and Aseneth
  • Scott: The Martyrdom and Ascension of Isaiah
• Be working on the 'leisure' readings: If you are reading Speigel (The Last Trial), plan to finish the book by this day. If you are reading Kugel (Bible As It Was), scan/read through p178.
• Rabbinic Literature
  • A Brief Survey of Ancient Jewish Literature  (mgvh)
  • Targum Information.pdf (mgvh)
  • An Initial Guide into the Rabbinic Literature (mgvh)
  • Rabbinic Midrash Rules.pdf
  • Examples of Midrashic Method and Rules
  • And check the other links here
• Akedah Exercise - NOTE: You are asked to look at this in advance and post a summary statement on the blog.

October 8

• Read Juel, Messianic Exegesis, pages 1-58
• Hebrew text, Septuagint, and the NT
• Ancient Document Presentations
  • Wisdom of Solomon - Micah
  • Genesis Apocryphon - Kathryn
  • Assumption of Moses - Chris
  • Josephus' Antiquities - Sean
• 4Q252 Commentary on Genesis Fr2
• Matthew 19 and Gen 1&2.pdf

October 15

• Read Juel, Messianic Exegesis, pages 59-118
• Ancient Document Presentations
  • Gospel of Peter - Brian
  • Gospel of Thomas -  Carolyn
  • Infancy Gospel of Thomas - Andrea
  • Gospel of Judas - Kate
• See what you can do with this exercise: The Following Rock of 1 Corinthians 10. UPDATED. 2008.10.14 with links fixed (You will not be turning this in. It's an attempt to help you track down resources. Spend about a half hour or so total on it.)
  • Following Rock used in class
  • NOTE: One of the files in the exercise has disappeared from the web but remains stored on the Internet Archive. I recommend that you download/save this PDF file which is a Scripture index of the OT Pseudepigrapha to your computer. (It does have errors, so while very helpful, it is not perfect.) While you are at it, you should also check these NT Allusions to Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha.
  • BTW, the Beale & Carson, Commentary on the NT Use of the OT has just been added to our library and is available in the Reference Room. (BS511.3 .C653 2007 R) I encourage you to do as much primary text work as you can on your chosen topic/passage, and then check out this useful resource.

October 22

• Read Juel, Messianic Exegesis, pages 119-179
• NOTE: Final Paper is due Dec 3. By Nov 26, please submit a working thesis sentence to me. I will review it and help keep you from too much work or any dead ends.
• Topic Presentations - From the syllabus: "The best presentations will help the other members of the class understand the issues involved with your text or topic and the preliminary ways you are working with it. The presenter should keep in mind that a final paper will yet be written on this topic, and so feedback should be solicited that will contribute to that paper." Presentations should be about 25 minutes long.
  • Blaming Eve: Julie
  • Cain and Abel (1 John 3.12): Chris
  • 1 Peter 2.9: Scott
• Romans 1.16f.pdf

October 29 - NO CLASS > Luther Colloquy

November 5

• Topic Presentation
  • Luke 19.36 (Parade!): Micah
  • Ps 16.8-11 and Acts 2.25-28: Carolyn
  • Luke 1.48 (Magnificat): Kate
• YIKES! In my mind, I posted this over a week ago... Do what you can.
  Recounting the History of Israel - Spend no more than an hour working through this sheet so that we talk about it in class.
• Bonus recommendation! Derek Webb's Mockingbird for free.
• OT in NT Exercises - We will do 1 and 2 in class.

November 12

• Topic Presentation
  • Wisdom and Spirit: Andrea
  • Acts 7? Ministry?: Linda
  • Isaiah 28.16: Kathryn
• Revisiting Romans 1.17
  • Here are the texts in parallel we looked at: Romans1.Hab2.pdf
  • Now look at the Beale/Carson commentary: Romans1.16f.BealeCarson.Commentary.pdf - With what do you dis/agree?
• We've been spotted!

November 19

• Topic Presentation
  • Isaiah 40.3-5: Brian
  • Isaiah 42.6-7 Sean
  • Acts 15.13-21 Gregg
• OT in NT Exercises - Spend a little time on 3-5.

November 26

• Working thesis statement for topic due.
• OT in NT Exercises - Spend a little time on 3-5.

December 3

• Final Paper due date postponed until Dec. 10.
• Please visit this course blog entry and respond.
• Scripture Catena in the Epistle of Barnabas 
  • Psalm 119 (LXX 118):120 [DOC files]
  • Psalm 96.10 "The Lord reigns from the tree."

December 10

• From the syllabus: Final Paper: Based on the topic chosen, this paper will be 7-12 pages long. (one inch margins, double-spaced, 12pt font) The best papers will have a strong thesis statement that clearly defines the issue involved with the chosen topic and a proposal for how it should be handled. Interaction with appropriate resources (both primary and secondary) is expected, and the conclusion should indicate how this topic fits within the larger scope of early Christian attempts to interpret Scripture. This paper will be due on Wednesday, December 10, 2007.

December 17

• Concluding comments

As time allows...

• Gematria - in the NT, cf: Matthew 1.17 (value of David in Hebrew times number of letters in his name) or Rev 13.18
• Why does Matthew's gospel begin with βιβλος? >> The importance of letters and Genesis 1.1

As time allows...

• OT in NT Exercises - We will do these in class as we have time, but take a look at them in advance and see if you can work through them.
• Scripture Catena in the Epistle of Barnabas
• Gematria - in the NT, cf: Matthew 1.17 (value of David in Hebrew times number of letters in his name) or Rev 13.18
• Why does Matthew's gospel begin with βιβλος? >> The importance of letters and Genesis 1.1

Some general observations: There are a few things to do to make your semester easier.

• Technical Aspects
  • If you have not already done so, get your computer ready to go with Unicode Greek.
    • Greek Tools Proficiencies Part 1A - Setting up your system
    • Greek Tools Proficiencies Part 1B – Keyboard Exercise (DOC file - download / open in your word processor)
    • Greek Fonts - If you don't use the Tyndale Unicode Font Kit described in Part 1A, you will need to check this out and follow the directions for obtaining the fonts that will be used.
  • Adobe Reader - Download - You will need this if you don't already have it. Latest version of Adobe Reader is 8.0.
  • Bible Software and other Digital Resources - We will be doing a lot with BibleWorks7, Logos, and other digital resources. If you already have BibleWorks or Logos, please go to this Bible Software page and follow the directions there to get everything set. If you do not have software and are interested in getting it, that page has some recommendations. LTSG will be offering a special 'buying window' for LTSG students in September to get BW or Logos at significant price reductions.
  • We will be able to use FishersNet for online discussion, but I have also set up a Blog for this course. YOU are the editors. Send me a preferred email, and I will get you signed in. Go ahead and start playing with this now. You can't hurt it.
• Ancient Document Presentation: According to the syllabus: Students will report on an ancient document selected from the list provided or in consultation with the instructor. Presentations will be made at a scheduled time during September and October. The best presentations will likely include a distributable guide of some kind for the members of the class and pointers to other resources, and they will provide background to the document and reasons why they are significant for a study of the OT in the NT. These presentations are intended to be brief introductions to the document and be 5-10 minutes long. >> Decisions for your choice will be finalized on Sept. 10.
• Topics of Study: Students will select a topic that will become the focus of their work from the list provided or in consultation with the instructor. Presentations on the preliminary work accomplished will be scheduled in October and November. The best presentations will help the other members of the class understand the issues involved with your text or topic and the preliminary ways you are working with it. The presenter should keep in mind that a final paper will yet be written on this topic, and so feedback should be solicited that will contribute to that paper. Depending on the number of students in the course, these presentations will be 20-30 minutes long. Decisions for topics will be finalized on Sept. 10.
• Readings: Check the syllabus linked above. The Early Biblical Interpretation and the Messianic Exegesis books are both in the bookstore. I will set up a schedule for reading, but the idea is to finish reading these as soon as possible so that they may serve as background for our class discussions. Read the Early Biblical Interpretation book first. I will be 'frontloading' the readings so that as the semester progresses, you won't have to deal with that and instead be working with the weekly texts and with your presentation topic/paper. Also note that you are required to read either Speigel's The Last Trial or Kugel's The Bible As It Was. These are intended to be 'leisurely' reading. I.e., don't focus on the details. Read them quickly simply to get a sense of how biblical interpretation is working in these Jewish/rabbinic contexts. I think you will find them to be fascinating reading.