THE ASSIGNMENT
The Main Topic. In plain English, in your own words, teach Unit 3 of this course to someone who has not taken this class. To do this, write a paper giving:
• a summary of the most important course knowledge (subject matter) of Unit 3; this will be most of your paper
• your response to it or reflection on it, i.e., what you think of it, or what thoughts it generates
In other words, you are telling: (i) what you are learning (most of the paper), and (ii) what you think of it (maybe 5 or 10%, up to 20% max). In the process, you are demonstrating a sound knowledge and understanding of the OT, as learned in this course specifically, for this unit of the course.
In Exile! Primal Screams in Anger, Questioning, and Despair. With life in ruins, everyone is wondering what in the world the Lord might be thinking and doing if anything. Some powerful feelings of the time are recorded along with their interpretation based in faith. One moving and challenging example is found in Psalm 137.
Psalm 137. The exiles are in despair. The homeland is destroyed, the survivors shipped across the map to Babylon. Read Psalm 137 and picture it composed by Judean temple singers now in Exile. What might it tell us about their experience? How should we understand verses 7 9?
Ezekiel the Prophet: Pastor and Theologian. The outstanding voice in this time and situation came from the great Ezekiel, prophet and leader on location in the exile.
• What are the main issues addressed by Ezekiel, and what does he say about each?
• For selected readings in Ezekiel, see the Meta.
Life in Exile and the Big Issues.
• For a summary of this complex and important period, and what the prophets said, first read the Meta, "Part Four: In the Babylonian Exile," along with the Bible passages mentioned there.
• Then read Birch,83-86, "The Meaning of Exile," for a good take on the meaning of the Babylonian Exile and how it might relate to us today.
Return from Exile! The unbelievable happens. After a couple generations in the Exile, likely in the late 540's, an unknown prophet whom we can call "Isaiah of the Exile," and whose teaching is found in Isaiah 40-55 ("Second Isaiah"), begins to proclaim: "You will soon return! Get ready!" Incredibly, this happens.
• For a brief summary of this period, including the first two phases of return from exile, see the Meta, "Part Five: Return to Jerusalem."
• For an understanding of the biblical concept of hope beyond judgement, especially through the message of Second Isaiah, read Birch, 86-94.
• For selected readings in Second Isaiah, see the Meta.
• For a good take on the early period of the return from the exile (the first two phases), read Birch, 96c - 98a (from the heading "Return and Restoration" to the top of p. 98).
Ezra's Reform, Nehemiah the Governor, and the Prophets Malachi and "Isaiah of the Return." A few generations after the two initial phases of return, two new groups arrive with capable and energetic leaders.
• For a summary of this brief but vivid and influential period, first read the Meta, "Part Six: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Mosaic Law," along with the Bible passages mentioned there.
• What happens in this period?
• What are the prophetic responses By Malachi and "Isaiah of the Return"?
• For a good take on the larger meaning these events, read Birch, 99c-100d [beginning with "In this brief treatment" and ending with "much larger than that"].
Meet "The Writings": A Diverse Collection. Part Three of the Hebrew Bible is called in Jewish tradition "The Writings," which simply means a miscellaneous collection of sacred writings that don't fit into Part One (The Torah) or Part Two (The Prophets). The Writings include some famous and well-beloved parts of the Old Testament, such as the Psalms and the Proverbs. The final section of our course will sample the most important of the Writings for social justice and the use of force. Read about this collection in Birch, 95-96.
The Book of Psalms. In the Bible we find a collection of hymns and prayers of extraordinary power and beauty, and this is the Book of Psalms. Some of the oldest ones have been sung and prayed continuously for almost 3000 years.
• Responding to God and Life. The Old Testament as a whole tells Israel's story in light of belief about what God says to them and how God works with them. Now in these prayers the people respond. They provide words and thoughts for responding in faith to the gifts and reversals of life, in joy or in sorrow, as individuals or the united community of faith.
• A Collection of Prayers and Hymns. These prayers were collected over many centuries, much like a church prayer book or hymnal. The original circumstances for most of them have been lost. This is because the ones which were kept were general enough that many different people could identify with them in many different situations.
• Read and absorb the online document "Introducing the Psalms," by Dennis Bratcher.
Justice and Violence in the Psalms.
• Read Donahue, 110-113, "Lamenting Injustice." What are the main points here?
• Read Donahue, 113-115, "Violence: The Shadow Side of Praise." What are the main points here, and what do you think about this difficult but important subject?
• Read Psalm 23. What is going on here, and in particular, what is the story line. How does it end? How does Psalm 23 relate to Donahue's section on "Violence: The Shadow Side of Praise" in the Psalms?
The New Community in Prophetic Thought. Where does the faith journey of the Old Testament arrive? It's a pretty interesting development. See the Meta, "Part Seven: The New Community in Prophetic Thought."
The Aftermath Period.For a good intro.and summary of the period after most of the Old Testament books were written, read Birch, 106-108. We need to know this period in order to understand social justice in the New Testament, and especially in the teaching of Jesus.
Keeping Torah in a Changing and Hostile World: The Hellenistic Period. One empire after another! Changes, changes, changes! After the return from Exile, the Jewish communities in the Jerusalem area and in various other lands all found themselves facing one issue after another for self identity and self preservation. For a broad summary of this complex and important period, in which the last few Old Testament books were written, read the online document: "Keeping Torah in a Changing and Hostile World."
The Process of Formation: How the Old Testament Came to Us. Ancient writings and collections don't just appear out of the blue. They result from a situation of some kind, and address a target audience of people in their needs and circumstances. To learn how this worked in the case of the Old Testament, read the online document "Process of Formation."
The Story Continues. The epic storyline of the Old Testament does not even pretend to reach closure, ending instead with a feeling of "To be continued-we hope." One idea which appears toward the end is that some day God will send a great leader called "The Messiah." Naturally, hope for his coming grew during the aftermath period in the changing circumstances and multiple issues for keeping the faith in a changing world.
Jesus of Nazareth. Within a few hundred years a great teacher appeared in the homeland and his followers believed he was indeed the longed-for Messiah. Jesus of Nazareth did not claim that title, but he did teach clearly that the biblical storyline had not come to an end. For how this unfolded, read the online document "Jesus Continues the Story."
Using the OT as Christian Scripture. The 2000 year old question: How might people of the Christian faith read the Old Testament as Scripture. For some ways to approach this subject, read the online document "Using the Old Testament as Christian Scripture." Might not sound like it, but we'll end with a bang, not a whimper.