The student:

can present a general overview of the history of Old Testament studies as an academic discipline (LOQ 1,7 / MTP ET 1);

can describe the current debate on methodology, characterize the currents in vogue nowadays, and evaluate all this from the perspective of his own theological conviction (as a reformed/evangelical believer) (LOQ 2/ MTP ET7).

History of OT studies as an academic discipline, with an emphasis on forming one’s view on it from a Reformed perspective; diachronic and synchronic methods.

Tutorials (with specific attention for the methodology of the field of Old Testament studies)

Contact hours: ca. 5 (tutorials)

Preparation: ca. 20 hours

Self-study: 143 hours

Essay or paper (depends on the previous education and skills of the student).

Hardy, H.H. and Carrol R., M. Daniel (eds.) The State of Old Testament Studies: A Survey of Recent Research (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2024.

Sæbø, M. (ed.), Hebrew Bible Old Testament: The History of Its Interpretation (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1996-2015), Volume II: (Martin Luther, p. 365-378, 382-395); Chapter 18 (John Calvin, p. 428-451); Chapter 23 (Radical Reformers, p. 584-601); Chapter 42 (Semler, p. 995-1005); Chapter 44 (Herder, Eichhorn, Gabler, p. 1041-1063).

Sæbø, M. (ed.), Hebrew Bible Old Testament. The History of Its Interpretation (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1996-2015), Volume III, section as agreed or John S. Bergsma and Jeffrey L. Morrow, Murmering Against Moses: The Contentious History and Contested Future of Pentateuch Studies (Steubenville: Emmaus Academic, 2023), sections as agreed.

House, P.R. (ed.), Beyond Form Criticism (Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 1992): Introduction (pp. 3-20), contributions by Stendahl, Muilenburg en Fowler (= 47 pages), and additional sections of 32 pages as agreed.

Barr, J., ‘The Synchronic, the Diachronic and the Historical’, in: J.C. de Moor (ed.), Synchronic or Diachronic?, OTS 34 (Leiden etc.: Brill, 1995), 1-14.