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Syllabus for “The Book of Job” – Adult Christian Education & Enrichment, at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, San Francisco, Fall, 2010, a Bible study led by
Karl Morthole.
Week 1 – Sun. September 26, 2010
The Book of Job: Its Structure, “Wisdom,” themes, and the place of individual and community suffering under concepts of divine justice and God’s Sovereignty. A major piece of world literature, as well as holy scripture.
[Note: No Meeting Sunday, October 3, as Karl is out of town on business.]
Week 2 – Sun. October 10, 2010
Historical Context: When/where did the story of “Job” occur? The Land of Uz. Was “Job” a Hebrew? Summary History/Geography of the Greater Holy Land from 8th Century BC through 6th Century BC (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, Judah, Syria, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, etc.).
Week 3 – Sun. October 17, 2010
The artistic context of the Book of Job as literature and poetry, giving four different views of Who God is. The suffering and despair of Job, compared with the terror of Isaiah, Son of Amoz, of Jerusalem (“First Isaiah”) in Isaiah Chapter 6.
Week 4 – Sun. October 24, 2010
The view of “God” in the first story of Job, called “The Prologue,” in Chapters 1 and 2 of the book, the place of Satan, the “patience” of Job and his suffering and losses, and reaction.
[Note: No Meeting Sun., October 31, as Karl will be out of town working on mid-term elections.]
Week 5 – Sun. November 7, 2010
The dialogues of Job and his friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the
Naamathite, including the view of “God” presented by the three friends, and Job’s responses. The place of recompense and logical justice. Guilt proven by human suffering?
Week 6 – Sun. November 14, 2010
Are the friends true “defenders” of God? Job’s responses to the three friends continued, and his belief simultaneously in justice and in a God Who is not “just.” Demand for God’s direct presence. What is the view of “God” presented in Job’s responses?
Week 7 – Sun. November 21, 2010
The speeches of Elihu, and the speeches of God directly to Job. What justice is God describing? What “divine justice” is God describing. God’s rejection of the friends and Elihu and God’s acceptance of Job. What is the view of “God” presented in God’s statements?
Week 8 – Sun. November 28, 2010
When/how is Job redeemed? “The Epilogue” in Chapter 42:7-17. Psalm 73 and ideas similar to those in Job. Same author? Return to previous themes.
Week 9 – Sun. December 5, 2010
The “Suffering Servant” in Isaiah – Job? “Deutero” Isaiah? Jesus? Job and the place of despair/suffering in God’s absence from human beings and God’s presence with human beings.
Week 10 – Sun. December 12, 2010
Jesus and the Book of Job – Law, Prophecy, Presence, Suffering, Salvation and the Holy Spirit – What Job brings to our understandings as Christians. Who is the living God?
Week 11 – Sun. December 19, 2010
Open discussion of the Book of Job and re-reading of portions of the scripture. | 
