OT064-712 - Interpreting and Applying Ecclesiastes
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2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
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12Credit Points
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0.125 EFT
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7AQF level
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Category advanced unitC
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old testamentUnit Discipline
Prerequisites
96cps of study, including 36cps at level6; OT002 or OT003
Exclusions
OT062
Set Text
This unit counts towards the "set text" unit requirements of courses.Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students willA. Know and understand
Demonstrate Functional knowledge and understanding of the interpretation and application of Ecclesiastes
B. Be able to
1. Discuss recent scholarship on the interpretation and application of Ecclesiastes
2. Demonstrate skill in utilising scholarship in the interpretation and application of Ecclesiastes
3. Present Critical evidence-based perspectives on the interpretation and application of the Ecclesiastes
C. Be in a position to
1. Applying Functional perspectives and skills from ‘Interpreting and Applying Ecclesiastes’ to ministry practice and Christian living as a reflective practitioner
Content
• Detailed exegesis of representative chapters in English in Ecclesiastes (e.g. Ecclesiastes 2, 3, 5, 9, 12) with a focus on advanced exegetical skills.
• The setting of Ecclesiastes among the Wisdom Books as a canonical grouping, and its significance for interpretation.
• Literary appreciation of Ecclesiastes, including its poetic elements such as parallelism and metaphor.
• Critical evaluation of recent critical approaches to Ecclesiastes
• Key themes and features of Ecclesiastes, such as the meaning of hebel, rhetoric of ambiguity, cause-and-effect mechanism, retribution, wisdom, wealth and death.
• The meaning and message of Ecclesiastes for today.
Set Readings
This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.
Alter, R. The Art of Biblical Poetry. Rev. and enl. New York: Basic Books, 2011.
Bartholomew, C. and R. P. O’Dowd. Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A Theological Introduction. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011.
Clifford, R. J. Wisdom Literature in Mesopotamia and Israel. Atlanta, GA: SBL, 2007.
Crenshaw, J. L. Old Testament Wisdom. 3rd edition. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2010.
Crenshaw, J. L. Qoheleth: The Ironic Wink. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 2013.
Enns, P. Ecclesiastes. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2011.
Fokkelman, J. P. Reading Biblical Poetry. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2001.
Fox, M. V. A Time to Tear Down A Time to Build Up. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999.
Fox, M. V. “On הבל in Qoheleth: A Reply to Mark Sneed.” Journal of Biblical Literature 138/3 (2019): 560.
Goh, Samuel T. S. The Basics of Hebrew Poetry. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2017.
Goh, Samuel T. S. “The Hebel World, Its Ambiguities and Contradictions.” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament (2020). https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0309089220903333
Heim, K. M. Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentary. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2019.
Ingram, D. Ambiguity in Ecclesiastes. Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies 431. New York: T&T Clark, 2006.
Krüger, T. Qoheleth. Translated by K. Baltzer. Hermenia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2004.
Lohfink, N. Qoheleth. Continental Commentary. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2003.
Murphy, R.E. The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002.
Salyer, G. D. Vain Rhetoric: Private Insight and Public Debate in Ecclesiastes. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic, 2001.
Sneed, M. “הבל as ‘Worthless’ in Qoheleth: A Critique of Michael V. Fox’s ‘Absurd’ Thesis.” JBL 136/4 (2017): 890-94.
Sneed, M. The Politics of Pessimism in Ecclesiastes: A Social-Science Perspective. Ancient Israel and Its Literature 12. Atlanta, GA: Society of Biblical Literature, 2012.
Weeks, S. Ecclesiastes 1-5. International Critical Commentary. London: T&T Clark, 2020.
Weeks, S. Ecclesiastes and Skepticism. Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies 541. New York: T&T Clark, 2012
Available At
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College
Start Date
Census Date
End Date
Delivery Mode
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Presbyterian Theological College12/02/202428/03/202421/06/2024On CampusEnquire
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Presbyterian Theological College12/02/202428/03/202421/06/2024Off CampusEnquire