Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

Psalms in Christian Ministry

Unit Code: 
BV344
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit will consider the use of the psalms in a number of areas of Christian ministry and piety. These will include private and public prayer, liturgy, preaching, and pastoral care. Aspects of worship and prayer presumed within the Book of Psalms will be examined as well as the debates over the psalms as ‘Word of God’ and ‘word to God’ in both Christian and Jewish traditions. The major theological themes within the psalter will be examined.  

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. advanced skills in the interpretation of biblical texts;
  2. a sophisticated, critical understanding of the use of the psalms in prayer, liturgy, sermon, and pastoral conversation and guidance;
  3. use of the psalms in Christian ministry with a critical appreciation of the different genres and theological positions within the Psalter;  
  4. a detailed working knowledge of the growing body of literature on the psalms in ministry;
  5. the ability to bring the discourse of related areas of theological studies and other disciplines to the study of the use of psalms in ministry.
Lecturer/s: 
Howard Wallace
Timetabling
Semester: 
Intensive
Location: 
Centre for Theology and Ministry
Unit Frequency: 
Biennial
Years Offered: 
2010
Years Offered: 
2013
Notes: 

 9.30am-1.30pm January 18-22 and 27-29

Unit Fields
Courses: 
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Master of Divinity
Courses: 
Master of Theological Studies
Field: 
Field B Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
Old Testament
MDiv Field: 
Faith and Ministry Praxis
Department Name: 
Department of Biblical Studies
Unit Level
GradDip Field: 
Elective
MDiv Type of Study: 
Integrative
Prerequisites: 

2 Foundational units in Biblical Studies and 1 Foundational unit in Groundwork for Christian Ministry.

Mode of Teaching: 
Intensive
Teaching Methods: 

8 days of 4 hours each, comprising lectures, discussions on set readings, group exegesis of psalms, practical sessions, small group work, silent reflection, and singing of psalms  

Workload
Workload: 

32 hours

Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

1 x 3000 word exercise on the use of psalms in ministry (prayers, liturgy, critical report on pastoral conversation etc.)

Weighting: 
50%
Assessment Type: 

1 x 3000 word essay on the use of psalms in one area of ministry

Weighting: 
50%
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

Students should read one of the texts marked * prior to the first class.
 

  • *Anderson, B. W. and S. Bishop. Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak to us Today. 3rd ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2000.
  • Attridge, H.W. and Fassler, M.E. Psalms in Community: Jewish and Christian Textual, Liturgical, and Artistic Traditions. Atlanta: SBL, 2003.
  • *Bellinger, W. H. Psalms: Reading and Studying the Book of Praises. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1990.
  • Brueggemann, W. The Psalms and the Life of Faith. Ed. P.D. Miller. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995.
  • *Crenshaw, J. L. The Psalms: An Introduction. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.
  • *deClaisse-Walford, N. L. Introduction to the Psalms. St Louis: Chalice, 2004.
  • Gillingham, S. Psalms Through the Centuries: Volume 1. Oxford: Blackwell, 2008.
  • *Murphy, R. E. The Gift of the Psalms. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2001.
  • Reid, S. B., ed. Psalms and Practice: Worship, Virtue and Authority. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2001.
  • Wallace, H. N. Words to God, Word from God: The Psalms in the Prayer and Preaching of the Church. London: Ashgate, 2004.  

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