Suffering, Life, and the Book of Job

UFT Code: 
BV248/348
Unit Credit Points: 
15
Timetabling
Semester: 
First Semester
Day: 
Thursday
Time: 
2:15 - 5:15
Lecturer Profile: 
Antony Campbell
Location: 
CTM
Years Offered: 
2010

This unit is a thematic study of the book of Job that concentrates on understanding the text in relation to the central issues of the whole book. General questions will concern date, problems of unity and composition, the meaning of the book, and its place in the biblical tradition and the wisdom literature of the ancient Near East, both biblical and non-biblical. In the passages from Job to be studied for exegesis, an understanding of the meaning of the passage will be required, its situation in the context of the book, and its contribution to the discussion of the central issues. It is expected that students will be familiar with the book as a whole. The prose sections (chaps. 1–2; 42:7-17) will be required for understanding the setting of the book, and for their contribution to its structure, the expression of the central issues and their solution. For the purpose of exegesis, particular attention will be given to the following passages from the poetic section: Job 3–10; selections from chapters 11–19; 38–41; 42:1-6. 

Description
Learning Outcomes: 

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

  1. show familiarity with the context and content of the book of Job, the issues of both prologue/epilogue and the body of the book, as well as the issues of meaning raised and responded to.
  2. read the text of Job with an understanding of its meaning, aware of the particular problems posed by the final words of Job (42:5–6).
  3. discuss the issue of human suffering and relationship with God and the approaches to this issue in the book of Job.
  4. display awareness of the values and limits of any personal solution to this issue.
  5. comprehend the strengths and weaknesses of diachronic and synchronic approaches to the book of Job.  
Prerequisites: 
Level 2: 30 points in Field B and a further 90 points in the degree programme (or equivalent) Level 3: 60 points in Field B and a further 120 points in the degree programme (or equivalent)
Teaching Methods: 

3 hours of lectures and seminars per week for 12 weeks   

Contact Hours: 

36 hours

Assessment: 

Level 2 

  • 1 essay of 2000-2500 words (50%)
  • 1 x 2 hour examination or equivalent (50%)

Level 3 

  • 1 essay of 2500-3000 words (50%)
  • 1 x 2 hour examination or equivalent (50%)
  •   
Mode of Teaching: 
Semester
Bibliography: 
* = texts recommended for purchase or regular consultation
 
  • Clines, D. J. A. Job 1-20. Dallas: Word, 1989.
  • Clines, D. J. A. Job 21-37. Nashville: Nelson, 2006.
  • Gordis R. The Book of God and Man. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1965.
  • *Good, E. M. In Turns of Tempest. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1990.
  • Greenberg, M. “Job.” In The Literary Guide to the Bible. edited by R. Alter and F. Kermode, 283-304. London: Collins, 1987.
  • *Habel, N. C. The Book of Job: A Commentary. Old Testament Library. London: SCM, 1985.
  • *Janzen, J. G. Job. Atlanta: Knox, 1985.
  • Newsom, Carol A. The Book of Job. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.
  • Pope, M. H. Job. AB. 3rd ed. New York: Doubleday, 1973.
  • Miles, J. God: A Biography. New York: Knopf, 1995. (308-28 and notes.)
  • Rowley, H. H. Job. The Century Bible New Series. London: Nelson, 1970.
  • Westermann, C. The Structure of the Book of Job. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1981. 
Unit Fields
Course: 
Bachelor of Theology
BTheol Field: 
Field B Biblical Studies
BTheol Discipline: 
Biblical Studies
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Department Name: 
Department of Biblical Languages and Literature
Unit Level
Undergraduate Level: 
2
Undergraduate Level: 
3
MTS: 
No
Postgraduate: 
No

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