Unit Outline
OT420/430/620/630
The Pentateuch
QUEENSLAND THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
About this Unit Outline
This unit outline contains information you will need to find your way around the unit, The
Pentateuch. It attempts to provide a structure for your learning, giving details of the topics,
and how they will be assessed.
Semester 1, 2014
OT420/430/620/630 THE PENTATEUCH
Important notice
While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the information given below, it is the
personal responsibility of each student to check the current ACTh Undergraduate and
Postgraduate Handbooks, copies of which may be found in the Library.
It is very important that all quoted material in assignments be properly footnoted and
acknowledged. The attention of students is drawn to the current ACT Undergraduate /
Postgraduate Handbooks, section headed “Academic Misconduct”. Failure to comply with
the standards required will involve various penalties in accordance with the seriousness of the
failure as outlined in the ACT Undergraduate Handbook.
The attention of students is also drawn to the curent ACT Undergraduate / Postgraduate
Handbooks, section headed “Guidelines for Essays.” All essays should comply with these
standards.
Information about this unit
Unit description
This unit will introduce students to the theology and significant texts of the Pentateuch. Two thirds of
the course (26 hours) will be devoted to the theology of the Pentateuch. The remaining third (13
hours) will comprise exegesis of set texts from Genesis and Deuteronomy.
Learning objectives
- An appreciation of the ‘message’ of the Pentateuch
- An awareness of the Pentateuch’s main theological ideas and themes
- Proficiency in the exegesis of the Pentateuch’s main genres.
- An appreciation for how the Pentateuch has been understood by previous interpreters.
- A developing proficiency in handling the Pentateuch in the context of pastoral ministry
Pre-requisites and co-requisites for this unit
OT301-302/501-502. Hebrew exegesis students (OT430/630) need to have completed LA003A/B.
How this unit is organised and what we expect of you
The unit is taught week by week right through the Semester for 13 weeks. There are two
lectures each week which everyone (both Hebrew and English students) attends together,
each of 50 minutes duration. Those doing the unit in Hebrew language will have a 50 minute
lecture at a different time and those studying the unit in English language will also have a
separate 50 minute lecture held on a different day.
For both Hebrew and English students this unit will involve 3 hours per week of contact time.
This unit is worth 4 credit points towards your degree. At Bachelor level, a 4 cp unit is
considered to require a total time commitment of 6-8 hrs per week, and 7-9 hours at MDiv
level.
Students are expected to attend all lectures, complete any set pre reading and complete any
assessment tasks by the relevant due date. Please do be in touch as soon as you can if you
anticipate having any difficulties with your assessments or with meeting the due date.
Teaching staff
LECTURERS – GARY MILLAR & ANTHONY PYLES
E
E
gmillar@qtc.edu.au
apyles@qtc.edu.au
Semester 1, 2014
OT420/430/620/630 THE PENTATEUCH
Unit timetable: topics and teaching and learning activities
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
LECTURE TOPIC
The ‘Gospel according to
Moses’ – Introducing the
Pentateuch as a “Book”
The Seed and the Serpent
Crusher in Biblical
Theology
READINGS
English: Genesis 1
Genesis 1-11 & the
Garden of Eden
English: Genesis 1
Hebrew: Genesis 1
Hebrew: Genesis 1
WEEK 3
‘No more heroes any more’ English: Genesis 2
Genesis 12-50
Hebrew:: Genesis 2
WEEK 4
Exodus - God’s paradigm
for action (Exodus 1-18)
English: Genesis 3
Hebrew: Genesis 2
Preaching Week
WEEK 5
WEEK 6
WEEK 7
The Law and the Gospel
(Exodus 19-40)
English: Genesis 3
Hebrew: Genesis 3
Sacrifice and “Atonement”
– questions and answers in
Leviticus
Impurity and Morality Preaching Leviticus
English: Genesis 4
Hebrew: Genesis 3
English: Genesis 5
Hebrew: Deut 4
WEEK 8
Crunching Numbers - part English: Genesis 6
1
Hebrew: Deut 4
WEEK 9
Crunching Numbers – part
2
English: Deut 4
Hebrew: Deut 5
Deuteronomy - the
greatest sermon ever
preached?
Deuteronomy as a key to
biblical theology
English: Deut 5
Hebrew: Deut 5
Holy War and other
problems – would the real
God please stand up?
The Message of the
Pentateuch
English: Deut 7
Hebrew: Deut 7
WEEK 10
WEEK 11
WEEK 12
WEEK 13
English: Deut 6
Hebrew: Deut 6
English: Deut 30
Hebrew: Deut 30
Assessment
Set texts for exegesis
OT420/620
Genesis 1–11; Exodus 19-20, 32-34; Leviticus 16, 19, 26; Deuteronomy 4-7, 30. (Genesis 1-6,
Deuteronomy 4-7, 30 to be covered in detail in exegesis class)
OT 430/630
Hebrew – Genesis 1-3, Exodus 19-20; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 4-7, 30. (Genesis 1-3, Deuteronomy
4-7, 30 to be covered in detail in exegesis class)
Assessment tasks
OT420
ASSESSMENT TASK
DESCRIPTION
Essay 40%
2000 word essay on the theology of the Pentateuch
Exegesis Paper 40%
2 x 1000 word exegesis of set passages (one from Exodus, one
from Leviticus – Exodus 19:1-9a; 32:1-14; 33:12-23; Leviticus
16:1-22, 19:9-18, 26:40-46
1000 word reflection on preparing an expository talk on your
selected passage from Assessment two.
Teaching Exercise 20%
OT430
ASSESSMENT TASK
DESCRIPTION
Essay 40%
2000 word essay on the theology of the Pentateuch
Exegesis Paper 40%
2 x 1000 word translation and exegesis of set passages from the
Hebrew Text (one from Exodus, one from Leviticus – Exodus
20:1-17, 34:1-9; Leviticus 19:1-8, 26:1-13)
1000 word reflection on preparing an expository talk on your
selected passage from Assessment two.
Teaching Exercise 20%
Semester 1, 2014
OT420/430/620/630 THE PENTATEUCH
OT620
ASSESSMENT TASK
DESCRIPTION
Essay 35%
2500 word essay on the theology of the Pentateuch
Exegesis Paper 45%
2 x 1500 word exegesis of set passages (one from Exodus, one
from Leviticus - Exodus 19:1-9a; 32:1-14; 33:12-23; 34:1-9;
Leviticus 16:1-22, 19:9-18, 26:40-46)
1500 word reflection on preparing an expository talk on your
selected passage from assessment two, with a short reflection on
how critical issues impinge on teaching this part of the
Pentateuch.
Teaching Exercise 20%
OT630
ASSESSMENT TASK
DESCRIPTION
Essay 35%
2500 word essay on the theology of the Pentateuch
Exegesis Paper 45%
2 x 1500 word translation and exegesis of set passages from the
Hebrew Text (one from Exodus, one from Leviticus – Exodus
20:1-17, 34:1-9; Leviticus 19:1-8, 26:1-13)
1500 word reflection on preparing an expository talk on your
selected passage from assessment two, with a short reflection on
how critical issues impinge on teaching this part of the
Pentateuch.
Teaching Exercise 20%
Essay topics
OT420/430:
1. To what extent are the debates concerning Creation Science a faithful reflection of the
intention of Genesis 1-11?
2. What evidence is there within the Pentateuch itself that the Exodus is intended to be
interpreted as the paradigm of God’s rescue?
3. Assess what would be lost if Leviticus 1-16 had been omitted from the Bible.
4. What are the difficulties presented by interpreting and teaching the book of Numbers?
5. Is Deuteronomy legalistic?
OT620/630
1. Examine how the term “seed” (
) is used within Genesis. What significance may an
awareness of the theology of “seed” have for reading this text as Christian Scripture?
2. Discuss the theology of ‘law’ presented in the Pentateuch. To what extent do you think this
view is reflected in the New Testament?
3. To what extent can the theology of holiness presented in Leviticus 17-26 be integrated to the
overall concerns and message of the Pentateuch?
4. How does the book of Numbers contribute to the theology of the Pentateuch? Would
anything be lost if it were simply to be ignored?
5. To what extent is the theology of Deuteronomy 4 representative of the theology of the rest
of the book?
Exegesis Paper (see table above)
Teaching Exercise
OT 420/430 & OT 620/630 – Students may choose any passage from the Pentateuch outside
the list of set texts prescribed for exegesis in that Unit (see above). There is no specific
requirement on the length of the pericope selected, but students should justify their choice.
In order to pass the unit, you must attain >50% overall
Semester 1, 2014
OT420/430/620/630 THE PENTATEUCH
Learning resources
Basic Course Textbook
Alexander, T. Desmond. From Pentateuch to Promised Land 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012.
Selected other useful reference works
Relevant articles in:
Alexander, T. Desmond and David W. Baker, eds. The Dictionary of the Pentateuch. Downers
Grove: IVP, 2003.
Willem A. VanGemeren, ed., New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and
Exegesis. Carlisle: Paternoster, 1997.
On the theology of the Pentateuch
Clines, David J. A. The Theme of the Pentateuch 2nd ed. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997.
Sailhamer, John H. The Meaning of the Pentateuch : Revelation, Composition and Interpretation.
Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2009.
Wolf, Herbert. An Introduction to the Old Testament Pentateuch. Chicago: Moody, 1991.
Commentaries and other works specific to each book
Genesis
Bandstra, Barry L. Genesis 1–11: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text. Baylor Handbook on the Hebrew
Bible. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2008.
Collins, C. John. Did Adam and Eve really exist? Wheaton: Crossway, 2011.
Moberly, R. Walter. L. Theology of the Book of Genesis Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2009.
Waltke, Bruce W. Genesis : A Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.
Walton, John H. Genesis : the NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.
Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis 1-15. Word Biblical Commentaries 1. Dallas: Word, 1987.
Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis 16-50. Word Biblical Commentaries 2. Dallas: Word, 1994.
Exodus
Enns, Peter W. Exodus: The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
Fretheim, Terence. Exodus. Louisville: John Knox, 1991.
Sarna, Nahum. Exploring Exodus: The Origins of Biblical Israel. New York: Schocken, 1996.
Leviticus
Kiuchi, Nobuyoshi. Leviticus & Numbers. Apollos Old Testament Commentary 3. Leicester: IVP,
2007.
Sklar, Jay. Leviticus. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries 3. Leicester: IVP, forthcoming.
Trevaskis, Leigh M. Holiness, Ethics and Ritual in Leviticus. Hebrew Bible Monographs. Sheffield:
Phoenix, 2011.
Wenham Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus. New International Commentary on the Old
Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979.
Numbers
Ashley, Timothy R. The Book of Numbers. New International Commentary on the Old
Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.
Olson, Dennis T. Numbers. Interpretation Commentaries. Louisville: Westminster John Knox,
1996.
Olson, Dennis T.
Wenham, Gordon J. Numbers: an introduction and commentary. Tyndale Old Testament
Commentaries. Leicester: IVP, 1981.
Deuteronomy
Block, Daniel I. Deuteronomy: The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012.
Block, Daniel I. The Gospel according to Moses: theological and ethical reflections on the Book of
Deuteronomy. Eugene: Cascade, 2012.
Craigie,Peter C. The Book of Deuteronomy. New International Commentary on the Old
Testament. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1976.
McConville, J. Gordon. Deuteronomy. Apollos Old Testament Commentary. Leicester: Apollos,
2002.
McConville, J. Gordon. Law and Theology in Deuteronomy. Journal for the Study of the Old
Testament Supplement 33. Sheffield: JSOT, 1984.
McConville, J. Gordon and J. Gary Millar. Time and Place in Deuteronomy Journal for the Study
of the Old Testament Supplement 179. Sheffield: JSOT, 1994.
Millar, J. Gary. Now Choose Life: Theology and Ethics in Deuteronomy. New Studies in Biblical
Theology 6. Downers Grove: IVP, 2001.
Wright, Chistopher J. H. Deuteronomy. New International Biblical Commentary Old Testament
Series 4. Peabody: Hendricksen, 1996
Semester 1, 2014
OT420/430/620/630 THE PENTATEUCH
ACT Standards
Grades
Grades in assessment instruments are awarded in the following categoriesGrade
Score
GPA
Fail (F)
0-49%
0
Pass (P)
50-57%
1
Pass+(P+)
58-64%
1.5
Credit (C)
65-74%
2
Distinction (D)
75-84%
3
High Distinction (HD) 85+%
4
Note that for LA units, the percentages required for the above grades vary slightly from the above. Please
consult the ACT Manuals for details.
Undergraduate Degree (300–400
level) Foundational 300 Level
Units at foundational level introduce
undergraduate students to the introductory
features, broad scope and principles of a
discipline or topic. The study of primary
sources and the principles underlying their
analysis are introduced, especially in Biblical
Studies and Church History and where relevant
in other fields of study. The foundation for the
critical evaluation of ideas is established.
PASS
attempts to engage primary sources and is
aware of their significance for the discipline
evidences a basic understanding of the
foundational features of the discipline
shows an awareness of relevant scholarly
viewpoints without necessarily engaging these
in depth
11
Advanced 400 Level
Units at advanced level build upon
foundational studies. Critical issues raised by a
broad range of contemporary scholars are
introduced and evaluated; primary sources are
analysed in depth; and the critical and
evaluative faculties of the students are
developed in dialogue with scholarly literature.
PASS
demonstrates an engagement with primary
sources
has begun to grasp the foundational features
of the discipline
is beginning to engage with a range of
scholarly viewpoints
THE PENTATEUCH
Postgraduate Level (500-600)
Foundational MDiv, GradDip (500) Level
MDiv Advanced (600) Level
Units at foundational level introduce
graduate students to the foundational
features and principles of a discipline or
topic. The critical and evaluative faculties
of students are developed.
Pass
The candidate demonstrates an engagement
with primary sources, has begun to grasp the
foundational features of the discipline, and
evidences engagement with a range of
scholarly viewpoints .
Credit
The candidate demonstrates ability in
engaging the primary sources, evidences a
grasp of the foundational features of the
discipline, and exhibits engagement with a
range of scholarly viewpoints.
Building upon both knowledge and skills
developed at foundational levels, candidates will
be expected to analyse texts and ideas and
come to independent judgements in a select
area of study.
Pass
The candidate demonstrates ability in engaging
the primary sources, evidences a grasp of the
foundational features of the discipline, and
exhibits engagement with a range of scholarly
viewpoints.
Credit
The candidate demonstrates a pronounced
ability to engage primary sources, exhibits a
sound grasp of the foundational features of the
discipline, and evidences ability in the task of
critically evaluating a range of scholarly
viewpoints.
Distinction
The candidate demonstrates a pronounced
ability in the analysis of primary sources and in
the tasks of critically evaluating and assessing
empathically a range of scholarly points of view.
Distinction
The candidate demonstrates a pronounced
ability to engage primary sources, exhibits a
sound grasp of the foundational features of
the discipline, and evidences ability in the task
of critically evaluating a range of scholarly
viewpoints.
High Distinction
The candidate demonstrates a pronounced
ability in the analysis of primary sources and
in the tasks of critically evaluating and
assessing empathically a range of scholarly
points of view.
12
High Distinction
The candidate demonstrates superior ability
in the analysis and critique of primary
sources and ideas in critical dialogue with a
wide range of scholarly points of view
reporting these empathically.