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Stories of The Patriarchs

OT6XS6 This course runs January 4–April 9 Class meets synchronously online via Zoom:

• Tuesday Jan 5: 7:00pm–8:00pm EST • Tuesday Apr 6: 7:00pm–8:00pm EST

Class meets asynchronously via Avenue to Learn Jan 4–Mar 6 Class meets asynchronously via Avenue to Learn Mar 14–Apr 9

Class meets in person: • Monday Mar 8: 1:30-5:30pm; • Tuesday Mar 9 9:00am-5:30pm

Professor. Dr. Paul S. Evans E-mail. pevans@mcmaster.ca

Course Description: This course leads students through a detailed reading of the book of Genesis with a sustained focus on the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. The theological, historical, and literary interpretation and significance of these stories will be explored as well as their foundational role in the story of God’s redemptive acts. In order to equip students for interpreting these foundational stories we will take into account critical matters & methodologies, ancient Near Eastern parallels and the canonical context of the book as the introduction to the Pentateuch and all of Christian Scripture. The course will focus on several questions: How does the Primeval history (Gen 1–11) function in the wider Genesis story? What is the genre of these ancient stories? Are these stories best understood as cautionary tales? Should we view the characters as exemplary? What does Genesis teach us about God’s covenant(s) with humans? What do the stories tell us about God’s character? In this course we will examine the literary structure, authorial purpose(s) and theological significance of the book of Genesis, in order to underscore its continuing relevance for the church and society today.

Specializations: Biblical Studies, Pastoral Studies, and Christian History & Worldview

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Course Objectives:

Knowing • To have a thorough knowledge of the contents and message of Genesis • To gain familiarity with the assumptions, methods and conclusions of modern critical

scholarship on Genesis • To gain an introductory knowledge of relevant Ancient Near Eastern Literature: One will

read an English translation of the most important extra-biblical documents for a proper understanding of Genesis within its ancient Near Eastern context.

Being • To embrace the contemporary relevance of Genesis for the Church today • To grow closer to God through study of Genesis Doing • To be able to discuss the relation of Genesis 1-11 to ancient Near Eastern mythology and

the subsequent ancestral history • To be able to discuss the role of the patriarchs in salvation history • To be able to discuss the role of the matriarchs in the broader biblical story • To be able to interpret Genesis in its original contexts • To be able to apply the message of Genesis to contemporary audiences

Required Texts:

Goldingay, John. Genesis. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament: Pentateuch. Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Academic, 2020.

Tammi Schneider. Mothers of Promise: Women in the Book of Genesis. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Academic, 2008.

Schlimm, Matthew Richard, From Fratricide to Forgiveness: The Language and Ethics of Anger in Genesis. SIPHRUT 7. Winona Lake, IN.: Eisenbrauns, 2011.

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Textbook Purchase: All required textbooks for this class are available from the College’s book service, The Hurlburt Family Bookstore, McMaster Divinity College (Across from Cullen Hall). Texts may be purchased on the first day of class. For advance purchase, you may contact READ On Bookstore, 5 International Blvd, Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 6H3: phone 416.620.2934, Text: 416 668 3434

fax 416.622.2308; email books@readon.ca.

Course Requirements

1. Introductions and Class Orientation (Jan 5 at 7:00-8:00pm) Class will meet virtually via Zoom. Our time together will include introductions and an overview of the class. ***A link to participate via Zoom will be posted in an announcement on Avenue to Learn.

2. 10% - Pre-class Discussions (Jan 4 – Mar 6): Online

Due to this being a hybrid course, much of the class discussion will occur online on the Avenue to Learn course website. Students must actively participate in the online discussion and post minimum two discussion topics at the beginning of a week (Sun-Tues). Student posts must be in regard to the posted lectures / assigned readings that week. As well, to further the online discussion all students must respond to minimum two posts every week. Since initial posts will be online in the first part of the week, there will adequate time for all students to respond to posts in a timely manner. Instructions on how to participate in the online classroom will be sent to each student via email before the course begins.

As well, to further the online discussion PhD/MA students must respond to ministry students’ posts each week. This is an opportunity for Phd/MA students to provide extensive feedback and guidance to ministry students through this online discussion.

3. 15% - Student Presentation: Students will lead the class making a virtual presentation on an

assigned topic, informed by relevant secondary literature, then leading the online discussion for that week • Students must hand-in a detailed lesson plan to the professor regarding their

presentation. 4. In-Class Component (March 9–10): At McMaster Divinity College

The on-campus Modules will consist of some in-class lectures, Q&A, presentations, and student presentations. Attendance is mandatory.

5. 15% - Student Led discussion: (Mar 9–10)

As part of the on-campus modules, PhD/MA students will lead the class in a 60-minute discussion of a relevant research topic. In preparation for the discussion the student will conduct independent research including the textbooks and other sources.

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*A 2–3 page report showing your research and discussion notes must be handed in following the seminar.

6. 10% - Post-Class Component (Mar 7–Apr 9): Online

A. Online Discussion In the post-class component students must continue to actively participate in the online discussion but now only need to post one discussion topic at the beginning of a week (Sun-Tues) and respond to one other post each week. Once again, to further the online discussion PhD/MA students must respond to ministry students’ posts each week. This is an opportunity for Phd/MA students to provide extensive feedback and guidance to ministry students through this online discussion.

7. 40% - Major Assignment. 20 pages. Due April 9.

Papers must be double-spaced, using 12pt Times New Roman font throughout (footnotes should be 10pt Times New Roman font). The bibliography must contain at least 20 items of varied secondary sources (commentaries, theological dictionaries, specialized books) including at least 3 articles from peer reviewed / refereed journals. By way of supplement to these 20 sources, a student may use a maximum of 2 internet resources. Students are responsible for the quality of the sources chosen. These secondary sources do not include primary sources Each source listed must be drawn on in the paper and evidenced in the footnotes etc. Research Topic must be approved by your professor.

8. Synchronous Reflective Discussion (April 5 at 7:00–8:00pm) Class will meet virtually via Zoom. In our time together PhD/MA students will share their reflections on course materials and what they wrote for the reflective papers. ***A link to participate via Zoom will be posted in an announcement on Avenue to Learn.

9. 10% - Reflection Paper on Hermeneutical Implications. 5 pages. Due Apr 9, 2021.

For this paper students write a reflection on implications and biblical theological significance of the research covered in the course.

College Style for Submission of Written Work

All stylistic considerations (including but not limited to questions of formatting, footnotes, and bibliographic references) must conform to the McMaster Divinity College Style Guidelines for Essays and Theses https://mcmasterdivinity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mdcstyleguide.pdf Failure to observe appropriate form will result in grade reductions. All papers to be submitted in electronic format only (a pdf file)—no hardcopies! Email to pevans@mcmaster.ca. Include your last name in the file name of your attachment (e.g., evans.researchpaper.pdf). To avoid late marks papers must be received before the end of the

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calendar day on which they are due (i.e., before midnight Eastern Standard Time).

Policy concerning late papers Extensions for papers will not be given except in very exceptional circumstances. (serious illness, family crises, etc.). Busy-ness, holidays, computer problems etc. are not legitimate reasons to grant extensions. Late assignments will be docked at the rate of 2% per day for the first 7 days (including weekends) and 4% per day after that. All assignments must be received by April 9 in order to avoid a failing grade in the class.

Academic Honesty. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence that may take any number of forms, including plagiarism, the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which previous credit has been obtained, and/or unauthorized collaboration with other students. Academic dishonesty can result in severe consequences, e.g., failure of the assignment, failure of the course, a notation on one’s academic transcript, and/or suspension or expulsion from the College. Students are responsible for understanding what constitutes academic dishonesty. Please refer to the Divinity College Statement on Academic Honesty ~http://www.mcmasterdivinity.ca/programs/rules-regulations

Gender Inclusive language: McMaster Divinity College uses inclusive language for human beings in worship services, student written materials, and all of its publications. In reference to biblical texts, the integrity of the original expressions and the names of God should be respected. The NRSV and TNIV are examples of the use of inclusive language for human beings. It is expected that inclusive language will be used in chapel services and all MDC assignments.

Disclaimer

This syllabus is the property of the instructor and is prepared with currently available information. The instructor reserves the right to make changes and revisions up to and including the first day of class.

Students are advised to retain this syllabus for their records.

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Selected Bibliography Alter, Robert. “A Literary Approach to the Bible.” Commentary 60 (1975): 70-77. Alter, Robert. Genesis: Translation and Commentary. New York: W.W. Norton, 1997. Athas, George. “Has Lot Lost the Plot? Deil Omission and a Reconsideration of Genesis 19.”

Pages in Journal of Hebrew Scriptures. Vol. 16 (2016). Auerbach, Erich. Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature. 50th anniversary

ed. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2003. Baldwin, Joyce G. The Message of Genesis 12-50: From Abraham to Joseph. The Bible Speaks

Today. Leicester, England ; Downers Grove, IL, U.S.A.: Inter-Varsity Press, 1986. Becking, Bob and Susanne Hennecke. Out of Paradise: Eve and Adam and Their Interpreters.

Hebrew Bible Monographs 30. Sheffield U.K.: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2011. Bier, Miriam J. “Colliding Texts: Reading Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-22) as a Twenty-First Century

Woman,” Pages xix, 377 p. in Tamar's Tears: Evangelical Engagements with Feminist Old Testament Hermeneutics. Edited by Andrew Sloane. Eugene, Or.: Pickwick Publications, 2012.

Bird, Chad L. “Typological Interpretation within the Old Testament: Melchizedekian Typology.”

Concordia Journal 26 (2000): 36-52. Bird, Phyllis A. “‘Male and Female He Created Them’: Gen 1:27b in the Context of the Priestly

Account of Creation.” Harvard Theological Review 74 (1981): 129-159. Blenkinsopp, Joseph, Treasures Old and New: Essays in the Theology of the Pentateuch. Grand

Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004. Blenkinsopp, Joseph, Creation, Un-Creation, Re-Creation: A Discursive Commentary on Genesis

1-11. London: T & T Clark, 2011. Block, Daniel I. “Recovering the Voice of Moses: The Genesis of Deuteronomy.” Journal of the

Evangelical Theological Society 44 (2001): 385-408. Blondheim, Menahem and S. H. Blondheim. “Obstetrical and Lexicographical Complications:

The Birth of Benjamin and Death of Rachel.” Jewish Bible Quarterly 27 (1999): 15-19. Bodner, Keith, David Observed: A King in the Eyes of His Court. Hebrew Bible Monographs, 5

HBM 5. Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Phoenix, 2005.

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Boer, Pieter Arie Hendrik de, Johannes Cornelis de Moor, A. S. van der Woude, and G. J. Venema, Oudtestamentische Studièn. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1943.

Bowers, Johnathon. “The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins

Debate.” American Theological Inquiry (Online) 4 (2011). Brenner, Athalya, Chichang Li, and Gale A. Yee, Genesis. Texts@Contexts. Minneapolis: Fortress

Press, 2010. Brueggemann, Walter, Genesis: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching.

Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1982.

Candlish, Robert Smith, Studies in Genesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1979. Carlson, Richard F. and Tremper Longman, Science, Creation and the Bible : Reconciling Rival

Theories of Origins. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2010. Carr, David M. “‘Empirical’ Comparison and the Analysis of the Relationship of the Pentateuch

and the Former Prophets,” Pages 73-95 in Pentateuch, Hexateuch, or Enneateuch: Identifying Literary Works in Genesis through Kings. Edited by Thomas B. Dozeman, Thomas Römer, and Konrad Schmid. Ancient Israel and Its Literature. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2011.

Clements, R. E. Abraham and David: Genesis XV and Its Meaning for Israelite Tradition. Studies

in Biblical Theology 5. London: SCM Press, 1967. Clines, David J. A. “The Image of God in Man.” Tyndale Bulletin 19 (1968): 53-103. Coats, George W. “Strife and Reconciliation: Themes of a Biblical Theology in the Book of

Genesis.” Horizons in Biblical Theology 2 (1980): 15-37. Collins, Francis S., The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief. New York: Free

Press, 2006. Davidson, Richard M. Flame of Yahweh: Sexuality in the Old Testament. Peabody, Mass.:

Hendrickson Publishers, 2007. Deffinbaugh, Robert L. Keith Krell, Stephen Leston, and Tremper Longman, Genesis Thru

Numbers : Where Do We Come From? , Quicknotes Simplified Bible Commentary Series 1. Uhrichville, Ohio: Barbour Pub., 2009.

Ellington, John. “Man and Adam in Genesis 1-5.” Bible Translator 30 (1979): 201-205.

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Enns, Peter. The Evolution of Adam : What the Bible Does and Doesn't Say About Human Origins. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2012.

Enns, Peter. The Evolution of Adam: What the Bible Does and Doesn't Say About Human Origins.

Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2012. Etz, Donald V. “The Numbers of Genesis V 3-31 : A Suggested Conversion and Its Implications.”

Vetus testamentum 43, no. 2 (1993): 171-189. Evans, Paul S. “Creation, Progress and Calling: Genesis 1-11 as Social Commentary.” McMaster

Journal of Theology and Ministry 13 (2011): 67-100. Evans, Paul S. “The End of Kings as Presaging an Exodus: The Function of the Jehoiachin

Epilogue (2 Kgs 25:27-30) in Light of Parallels with the Joseph Story in Genesis.” McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 16 (2015): 65-100.

Fokkelman, J. P. Narrative Art in Genesis: Specimens of Stylistic and Structural Analysis. Studia

Semitica Neerlandica 17. Assen: Van Gorcum, 1975. Gabriel, Johannes. “Die Kainitengenealogie: Gen 4:17-24.” Biblica 40, no. 2 (1959): 409-427. Geoghegan, Jeffrey C. “Additional Evidence for a Deuteronomistic Redaction of the

`Tetrateuch'.” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 67 (2005): 405-421. Gunkel, Hermann. Genesis. Translated by Mark E. Biddle. Mercer Library of Biblical Studies.

Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press, 1997. Habel, Norman C. The Birth, the Curse and the Greening of Earth : An Ecological Reading of

Genesis 1-11. The Earth Bible Commentary Series 1. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2011.

Hamilton, Victor P. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17. New International Commentary on the

Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1990. Hamilton, Victor P. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 18-50. New International Commentary on the

Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1994. Hamilton, Victor P. Handbook on the Pentateuch : Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,

Deuteronomy. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005. Hasel, Gerhard F. “Polemic Nature of the Genesis Cosmology.” Evangelical Quarterly 46 (1974):

81-102. Heide, Martin. “The Domestication of the Camel.” Ugarit-Forschungen 42 (2010): 331-382.

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Heidel, Alexander. The Babylonian Genesis: The Story of Creation. Chicago: University of Chicago

Press, 1951. Heltzer, Michael. “New Light from Emar on Genesis 31: The Theft of the Teraphim,” Pages 357-

362 in 'Und Mose Schrieb Dieses Lied Auf': Studien Zum Alten Testament Und Zum Alten Orient: Festschrift FüR Oswald Loretz Zur Vollendung Seines 70 Lebensjahres Mit BeiträGen Von Freunden, SchüLern Und Kollegen. Edited by Manfried Dietrich and Oswald Loretz. Münster: Ugarit-Verlag, 1998.

Hess, Richard S. “The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate.”

Bulletin for Biblical Research 20, no. 3 (2010): 433-436. Hill, Andrew E. and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI:

Zondervan Publishing House, 2009. Jacob, Benno. Das Erste Buch Der Tora: Genesis. Berlin: Schocken, 1934. Johnston, Gordon H. “Genesis 1 and Ancient Egyptian Creation Myths.” Bibliotheca sacra 165

(2008): 178-194. Kapelrud, Arvid S. “Mythological Features in Genesis Chapter 1 and the Author's Intentions.”

Vetus Testamentum 24 (1974): 178-186. Kidner, Derek. Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary. The Tyndale Old Testament

Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1977. Knoppers, Gary N. “Shem, Ham and Japheth: The Universal and the Particular in the Genealogy

of Nations,” Pages 13-31 in Chronicler as Theologian. Edited by M. Patrick Graham, Steven L. McKenzie, and Gary N. Knoppers. London/New York: T & T Clark, 2003.

Kruse, Heinz. “David's Covenant.” Vetus testamentum 35 (1985): 139-164. Lambert, Wilfred G. “A New Look at the Babylonian Background of Genesis,” Pages 96-113 in “I

Studied Inscriptions before the Flood”. Edited by Richard S. Hess and David Toshio Tsumura. Winona Lake, Ind: Eisenbrauns, 1994.

Lasine, Stuart. “Guest and Host in Judges 19: Lot's Hospitality in an Inverted World.” Journal for

the Study of the Old Testament 29 (1984): 37-59. Longacre, Robert E., Joseph: A Story of Divine Providence: A Text Theoretical and Textlinguistic

Analysis of Genesis 37 and 39-48. 2nd ed. Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, 2003. Longman, Tremper, How to Read Genesis. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005.

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Longman, Tremper, Genesis. Story of God Commentary Old Testament Series 1. Grand Rapids,

MI: Zondervan, 2016. Longman, Tremper and David E. Garland, The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Rev. ed. 13 vols.

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006. Mann, Thomas W. “'All the Families of the Earth': The Theological Unity of Genesis.”

Interpretation 45 (1991): 341-353. Marcus, David. “‘Lifting up the Head’: On the Trail of a Word Play in Genesis 40.” Prooftexts 10

(1990): 17-27. Moberly, R. W. L. The Theology of the Book of Genesis. Old Testament Theology. Cambridge;

New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009. Pinnock, Clark H. “Climbing out of a Swamp: The Evangelical Struggle to Understand the

Creation Texts.” Interpretation 43 (1989): 143-155. Schearing, Linda S. and Steven L. McKenzie eds. Those Elusive Deuteronomists: The

Phenomenon of Pan-Deuteronomism. JSOTSup. 268. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999.

Schlimm, Matthew Richard, This Strange and Sacred Scripture: Wrestling with the Old

Testament and Its Oddities. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015. Skinner, John, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Genesis. Icc. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark,

1910. Sloane, Andrew ed. Tamar's Tears: Evangelical Engagements with Feminist Old Testament

Hermeneutics. Eugene, OR.: Pickwick Publications, 2012. Smith, Gary V. “Structure and Purpose in Genesis 1-11.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological

Society 20 (1977): 307-319. Trible, Phyllis. “Depatriarchalizing in Biblical Interpretation.” Journal of the American Academy

of Religion 41 (1973): 30-48. Trible, Phyllis and Valparaiso University., Genesis 22 : The Sacrifice of Sarah. Gross Memorial

Lecture 1989. Valparaiso, IN: Valparaiso University Press, 1990. Tsumura, David Toshio, The Earth and the Waters in Genesis 1 and 2: A Linguistic Investigation.

JSOTSup, 83. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1989.

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Tsumura, David Toshio. “Genesis and Ancient near Eastern Stories of Creation and Flood: An Introduction,” Pages 27-57 in “I Studied Inscriptions before the Flood”. Edited by Richard S. Hess and David Toshio Tsumura. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1994.

Turner, Laurence A., Genesis. 2nd ed., Readings: A New Biblical Commentary. Sheffield,

England: Sheffield Academic Press, 2009. Waltke, Bruce K. and Cathi J. Fredricks, Genesis: A Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan,

2001. Walton, John H., Genesis. NIVAC. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001. Walton, John H., The Lost World of Genesis One : Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate.

Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2009. Walton, John H., The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate.

Downers Grove, IL.: IVP Academic, 2009. Walton, John H., The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2-3 and the Human Origins Debate.

2015. Walton, John H. and Victor Harold Matthews, The Ivp Bible Background Commentary : Genesis--

Deuteronomy. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997. Walton, John H. and Victor Harold Matthews, The Ivp Bible Background Commentary: Genesis-

Deuteronomy. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997. Watts, Rikki E. “Making Sense of Genesis 1.” Stimulus 12 (2004): 2-12. Webster, Brian L. “The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate.”

Bibliotheca sacra 168, no. 671 (2011): 356-359. Wenham, Gordon J., Genesis 1-15. Word Biblical Commentary 1. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1987. Wenham, Gordon J. “Method in Pentateuchal Source Criticism.” Vetus Testamentum 41 (1991):

84-109. Wenham, Gordon J., Genesis 16-50. Word Biblical Commentary 2. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1994. Wenham, Gordon J., Rethinking Genesis 1-11: Gateway to the Bible. The Didsbury Lectures

2013. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2015. Westermann, Claus, Genesis 1-11: A Commentary. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 1984.

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Worthing, Mark William. “The Length of a Year in the Patriarchal Narratives: A Proposal.” Lutheran Theological Journal 33 (1999): 117-123.

Youngblood, Ronald F. “The Abrahamic Covenant: Conditional or Unconditional,” Pages 31-46 in

Living and Active Word of God: Studies in Honor of Samuel J Schultz. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1983.