(Return
to the Unit 3 Home Page)
Unit 3 Study Guide
Apart from their value as sacred
texts for the adherents of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the "books"
of The Old Testament contain remarkable readings as literature in
their own right. The Old Testament is composed of a lose ensemble
of works, written by many writers at different times over the tumultuous
history of the Hebrew tribes in the Middle East. They are distinguished
from the works of The New Testament, of Greek origins, as antecedents
to those devoted to the narratives of Jesus and the birth of the early
Christian churches. As with problematic texts in The New Testament
and with those of The Koran, there remains great debate among Old
Testament scholars and theologians over alleged historical references
to major leaders, prophets, and events, but beyond such clamor, various
works reflect universal wisdom, the rich celebration of life, deep pathos,
and intricate beauty.
Readings
Read the Introduction to The
Bible: The Old Testament,
pp. 47 - 50
Read selections from The
Old Testament, pp. 51 - 97
Study Questions
1) Why have the editors elected
to introduce texts from the King James version of the Judeo-Christian Holy
Bible? What are the difficulties facing translators of "sacred
texts"?
2) Trace the stages of the
"canonization" of the various books of what became The Old Testament.
Why were some texts omitted? (See the discussion that follows regarding
the canonization of texts for The New Testament (pages 960 - 961).
3) Contrast both the content
and the various literary styles of the selections of The Old Testament
introduced in our readings.
4) From the selections in
our readings, interpret the place of faith expressed in The Old Testament.
Key Concepts
Religious and Historical Allegory
"Allegory" is a type of symbol
narrative in which every element carries both a literal meaning and an
additional associational meaning. In "religious allegory," motifs
such as characters, their conflicts, and the events through which they
pass are meant to represent spiritual patterns or truths that are common
to all people. In "historical allegory," the same elements resonate
as representative of past experiences of social, political, or philosophical
significance. Continuing issues regarding just how the texts are
meant to be read and interpreted are responsible for the many divisions
in all religions.
The Creation/Creator Dichotomies
Speculations based upon both
observations of the natural world and the consequent arguments (reasoning)
that stems from such observation has resulted in various interpretations
of the "human condition." Who are we? What is the meaning of
existence? What can we know, and how do we know? Many different
answers radiate from these core questions. Those arguments that are
premised on the assumptions of a non-physical origin of the universe is
call "idealism" and its systematic philosophies as "idealism."
Sacred Texts
Religious interpretations,
like that of the evolving interpretations of the ancient Hebrews, are often
collected in bodies of "faith literature" that, over time, becomes canonical,
that is, accepted as the [divinely inspired] body of unique truths.
How those particular works that have come to be contained in such ensembles
as The Old Testament was an extended process of committee review
and consideration over many decades, if not centuries; that is, there was
no one occasion in which all the works were selected for inclusion or exclusion.
Aside from their religious relevance, most collections of holy writings
reflect widely diverse origins, historical and cultural contexts, and authorship
that varies in individual taste, styles, perspectives, and historical orientations--not
to mention abilities--inviting dispassionate examination as literary works,
valuable as well for their literary achievements.
This page
was last modified on January 17, 2006,
and is maintained
by Dr. Geoffrey A. Grimes.
|