Biblical Perspectives
UCBP 101


Course Schedule
Monday
January 26
Introductions: students, professor, and the academic study of the Bible
Wednesday
January 28

The History of the Bible
Assignment: Articles on “Canon” in the Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce Metzger and Michael Coogan, online via the Samford library website
Friday
January 30

The History of the Bible (cont'd)
Assignment:  Article on “Textual Criticism” in the Oxford Companion to the Bible, edited by Bruce Metzger and Michael Coogan, online via Samford library website
Monday
February 2
Ways of Reading: A Short History of Biblical Interpretation
Assignment:  Steinmetz, “The Superiority of Pre-Critical Exegesis,” Theology Today 27 (1980): 27-38. (online here)
Wednesday
February 4
Israel's History and Its Interpreters
Assignment: Friedman, Who Wrote the Bible, Chapters 1, 4, 8; Nehemiah 9:6-37, Sirach 44-50, Psalm 78, Hebrews 11
Friday
February 6
The Pentateuch
Assignment: Friedman, Intro and Chapters 2, 3
Monday
February 9
Beginnings: the Cosmos
Assignment: Genesis 1-3
Wednesday
February 11
Creation and the Mythic Worldview
Assignment: selections from the Enuma Elish (online), Enns, Chapters 1-2
Friday
February 14
Creation and Scientific Worldview
Assignment: John Polkinghorne, “Creation and the Structure of the Physical World,” Theology Today 44 (1987): 53-68. (online hereShort Paper #1 Due
Monday
February 16
Beginnings: a People
Assignment: Genesis 12-50
Wednesday
February 18
Deliverance of a People
Assignment: Exodus 1-23
Friday
February 20
The Deuteronomic Worldview
Assignment: Deuteronomy, Friedman, Chapters 5, 6, 7
Monday
February 23
The Monarchy in Israel
Assignment: I Samuel 8-31; II Samuel 11-20
Wednesday
February 25
Pentateuch Review
Assignment: Friedman, Chapter 14  Short Paper #2 Due
Friday
February 27 
Exam I
Monday
March 2
The Prophetic Voice
Assignment: Amos; selections from Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination (Blackboard)
Wednesday
March 4
The Prophets: Isaiah
Assignment: Isaiah
Friday
March 6
The Prophets: Isaiah
Assignment: Isaiah
Monday
March 9
The Prophets: Hosea
Assignment: Hosea
Wednesday
March 11
Proverbial Wisdom
Assignment: Proverbs, Enns, Chapter 3
Friday
March 13
Minority Report: Job
Assignment: Job
March 16-20
Spring Break
Monday
March 23 
Job Reconsidered
Assignment: selections from Gustavo Gutiérrez, On Job (Blackboard) Short Paper #3 Due
Wednesday
March 25
Intrigue! Danger! Beauty! Deception!: A Narrative
Assignment: Esther, Esther with Additions
Friday
March 27
Exam II
Monday
March 30
The World of Jesus and His Followers
Assignment: Take a deep breath
Wednesday
April 1
Introduction to the Gospels
Assignment: Powell, Introduction and Chapter 1
Friday
April 3 
Jesus in the Gospels: Mark
Assignment: Mark; Powell, Chapter 2
Monday
April 6
Jesus in the Gospels: Matthew
Assignment: Matthew; Powell, Chapter 3
Wednesday
April 8
Jesus in the Gospels: Matthew
Assignment: none
Friday
April 10
Jesus in the Gospels: Luke
Assignment: Luke; Powell, Chapter 4
Monday
April 13
Easter Holiday

Wednesday
April 15
Jesus in the Gospels: Luke
Assignment: none
Friday
April 17
Jesus in the Gospels: John
Assignment: John; Powell, Chapter 4
Monday
April 20
Jesus in the Gospels: John
Assignment: none
Wednesday
April 22
The Other Gospels
Assignment: Gospel of Thomas (online); Gospel of Judas (online); Powell, Appendix
Friday
April 24
Introduction to Paul
Assignment: Sanders, Chapters 1-5
Monday
April 27
Paul and the Law
Assignment: Galatians; Acts 15, Sanders, Chapter 6, 9
Wednesday
April 29
Churches in Conflict
Assignment: I Corinthians, Sanders, Chapter 10
Friday
May 1
The Gospel According to Paul
Assignment: Romans, Sanders Chapters 7, 8, 11 
Monday
May 4
The Gospel According to Paul
Assignment: Short Paper #4 Due
Wednesday
May 6

Christ and Power
Assignment: selections from John Howard Yoder, The Politics of Jesus (Blackboard); Luke 20:19-26, Matt. 16:13-20; Acts 5:12-32; Romans 13:1-7;  I Corinthians 6:1-6; I Pet. 2:13-17
Friday
May 8
Interpretation Revisited
Assignment: Richard J. Mouw, “The Bible in Twentieth-Century Protestantism: A Preliminary Taxonomy” (Blackboard)
Wednesday
May 13 
Final Exam, 8:00 AM