FINALITÀ
Familiarize the student with the structure, literary genre, purpose, contents, and theology of the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Help the student to acquire the skills and competence necessary for reading biblical poetry.
Assist the student in drawing together the message of the Wisdom Books and Psalms, and their theological relationship to the rest of the Old Testament Canon and to the New Testament. Give the student a greater appreciation for the coherence of the Bible’s literary and theological integrity. Enable the student to see how the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament and the Psalms proclaim a story and message that are of immense importance for the Church today.
ARGOMENTI
The course consists of two parts. In the first one, the Wisdom literature will be analysed in its various ancient Near Eastern contexts: literary, historical, geographical, cultural, religious, and sociological as well as in its canonical and Christological perspective. The detailed exegesis of chosen passages from the books of: Job, Proverbs, Qoheleth, Song of Songs, Wisdom and Ben Sira will enable the students to apply the insights of biblical wisdom in their life and future pastoral ministry. The second part of the course will focus on the various forms of the psalms and their function within the historical experience of Israel. The attention will be put on the formulation and interpretation of the psalms, examination of the various types of psalms and their application in the liturgy and spirituality of today’s Church.
TESTI
ALTER R., The Art of Biblical Poetry (New York, Basic Books 1985); CERESKO A.R., Introduction to Old Testament Wisdom: A Spirituality for Liberation (New York, Maryknoll 1999); GOLDINGAY J., Psalms, 2 vols (Grand Rapids, Baker Academic 2006); MURPHY R.E., The Tree of Life: An exploration of biblical wisdom literature. The Anchor Bible Reference Library (New York, Doubleday 1992); SEYBOLD K., Introducing the Psalms (London, T&T Clark 1990).