The Mission of God’s Covenant Nation:
Historical and Poetic Books
(Joshua – 1 Kings 10; Job – Ecclesiastes)
Guide: Dr. Tim Laniak
Online option:
For groups or individuals who want to access BibleJourney online, the syllabus will be available at www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/Syllabi.cfm. For online course questions, please contact Doug Price at or (855) 211-2474.
Dates and Times:
Classes will be held at the Gordon-Conwell Seminary campus, 14542 Choate Circle, Charlotte, NC, 28273 on Tuesday evenings (6:45-8:45) from January 5 through March 8, 2016 (with the exception of Feb 2). This course is Part 2 of a 3-part sequence that will tour the entire Old Testament. (The first course on the Five Books of Moses is available online.) The third course on the Prophetic and Restoration books will be held in the spring term 3/15/16 - 5/10/16. Those interested may register for some or all of the courses; there are no prerequisites. However, it is strongly recommended that they engage in the whole journey through the Old Testament and then continue through the New Testament next year.
Registration:
Registration for courses is required. Please visit our web site or contact Michelle Littlejohn at or 704-527-9909, for more information. Those interested may sign up either as participants (those who sit in the class for personal enrichment only) or as credit students (those who turn in weekly assignments and may receive credit toward a seminary certificate). Students are required to join in break-out groups for a ½ hour either before or after class each evening. These sessions are led by Gordon-Conwell graduates.
Certification:
Credit students who meet all of the requirements for the complete 6-course sequence in Old and New Testaments are eligible to receive a Certificate in Biblical Literacy. This certificate will exempt those interested in any masters or other certificate program at the seminary from OT and NT Survey courses.
Note: The cost of the 6-course sequence is about the cost of one graduate level course. Therefore, students completing the Certificate in Biblical Literacy will have taken two courses for the price of one.
BibleJourney also offers two courses to supplement the training of Bible teachers. Interpreting the Bible equips students with practical skills for interpreting every genre of the Bible. Teaching the Transforming Word equips students with the tools to be effective Bible teachers. Watch the BibleJourney website for these offerings for which there are separate certificates.
Program Objectives:
1. To provide students and participants with a comprehensive grasp of the main figures, events, and themes in the Old Testament, their relationship to the New Testament, and their ongoing significance for our lives.
2. To enlighten students and participants with background information and resources that clarify God’s revelation in its original setting.
3. To equip students and participants to interpret the Bible correctly by introducing appropriate tools and methods.
4. To raise up competent teachers who can communicate biblical truth effectively.
Format:
Classroom sessions will include presentations on each book of the Bible, featuring “in the text” summaries, “behind the text” background, and “in front of the text” interpretation and implications. Ideally, the assigned readings for each week should be done before class.
Text books:
1. The Bible (The NIV Archaeology Study Bible or the new NIV Study Bible)
2. The Story of Israel (Pate, Duvall, et al; InterVarsity Press, 2004)
3. The Heart of the Old Testament (R. Youngblood; Baker, 1998)
Note: These textbooks will be used throughout the BibleJourney course sequence.
Assignments:
1. Weekly 1-2 page assignments will be expected of those who take the class for credit. Assignments (provided in the syllabus below) will be submitted to the teaching assistant and discussed during the weeknight sessions.
2. Students will also complete a reading log for the assigned texts.
3. For each of the biblical books in this course, you will answer five “Guiding Questions” (see course outline for details and due dates). You will discuss these in breakout groups during the term and then write up your final essays as Assignment #9.
4. A final test will be taken at the end of the course.
** Plan on 5-10 hours each week for reading and assignments.
Grading Scale
Weekly Assignments (5 points each) 40
Guiding Questions Final Essay 20
Reading Log 20
Final Test 20
100
Attendance and Missed Classes:
Credit students will need to be in attendance during all classes. Alternative assignments will be given to those who miss a class.
Discounts and Refunds:
Gordon-Conwell has significantly reduced the tuition for these courses to make them affordable to our community. We assume that churches will further subsidize this outreach for their members if hardship exists. Full refunds will be provided only through the second week of the course for any reason.
Course Outline
1. (1/5) Joshua
Readings for next week: Joshua; The Story of Israel, pp. 50-56
2. (1/12) Judges, Ruth; Assignment 1 Due
Readings for next week: Judges; The Story of Israel, pp. 56-60
3. (1/19) 1&2 Samuel; Assignment 2 Due
Readings for next week: 1&2 Samuel; Youngblood chp 6; The Story of Israel, pp. 60-63
4. (1/26) 1&2 Kings; Assignment 3 Due
Readings for next week: 1&2 Kings; The Story of Israel, pp. 63-67
2/2 – No class
5. (2/9) 1&2 Chronicles; Assignment 4 Due
Readings for next week: 1&2 Chronicles; The Story of Israel, pp. 67-70
6. (2/16) Psalms; Assignment 5 Due
Readings for next week: Psalms; Youngblood chp 2; The Story of Israel, pp. 71-75
7. (2/23) Job; Assignment 6 Due
Readings for next week: Job
8. (3/1) Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs; Assignment 7 Due
Readings for next class: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs; The Story of Israel, 75-87
9. (3/8) Pulling the pieces together; Assignment 8 Due
March 22 Guiding Questions on the Historical and Poetic Books Due
March 29 Final Test (25-35 question multiple choice) taken with a proctor due
Suggested Summaries of the Whole Bible
Bartholomew, Craig G. and Michael W. Goheen. The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in
the Biblical Story (Baker Academic, 2004).
Bartholomew, Craig G. and Michael W. Goheen. The True Story of the Whole World: Finding
Your Place in the Biblical Drama (Faith Alive, 2009).
Evans, Craig A. God Speaks: What He Says, What He Means (Worthy Books, 2015).
Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible Book by Book (Zondervan, 2014).
Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Zondervan, 2014).
Kaminski, Carol. CASKET EMPTY: God’s Plan of Redemption through History (CaketEmpty Media,
2012)
Richter, Sandra L. The Epic of Eden (InterVarsity, 2008).
Williams, H. H. Drake. Making Sense of the Bible (Kregel, 2006).
Williams, Michael D. Far As the Curse is Found (P&R Publishing, 2005).
Wright, Christopher J.H. The Mission of God (InterVarsity Press, 2006).
Assignment 1 – Joshua
Name: Date:
Focus: “Behind the Text”
Objectives: To become familiar with the major campaigns and sites of the Conquest and to visualize the subsequent tribal allotments. To become more aware of geographical realities in Scripture and the value of atlases in Bible study.
Directions:
1) On the first map provided, (a) draw three arrows to locate the central campaign (Joshua 1 through 8), the southern campaign (Joshua 9 and 10), and the northern campaign (Joshua 11); (b) Circle in red the three cities that were burned (Josh. 6:24; 8:28; 11:11) and (c) highlight the two mountains where the covenant was renewed (Josh.8:30-35 ).
2) On the second map provided, (a) write in the names of each tribe in its appropriate allotment/division and (b) list the cities and towns in the tribe of Benjamin on the right side of the page (Josh. 18:21-27).
Please use the maps provided. (Submitted work consisting of internet maps with campaigns, sites, and tribal allotments already marked will not be accepted.)
It is recommended that you utilize, along with your Bible, at least one of the resources below, familiarizing yourself with the reference section in the Charlotte campus library. Please note which resources you use. If you choose instead to work with internet sites, please compare at least two to verify your site identifications and note the website addresses.
Recommended Bible Atlases
Beitzel, Barry J. The New Moody Atlas of the Bible. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2009.
Currid, John D., and David P. Barret. ESV Bible Atlas. Wheaton: Crossway, 2010.
Lawrence, Paul. The IVP Atlas of Bible History. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2006.
Pritchard, James B. and Nick Page. HarperCollins Atlas of Bible History. New York:
HarperCollins, 2008.
Rasmussen, Carl G. NIV Atlas of the Bible. Rev. Ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.
Assignment 2 – Judges and Ruth
Name: Date:
Focus: “In Front of the Text”
Objective: To recognize patterns of human and divine behavior in the Bible, especially those that correspond to our own experience.
Directions:
In the book of Judges, there is a recurring four-part cycle that serves as the primary literary and historical pattern for the central section of the book (2:6-16:31). The cycle is: sin/rebellion, judgment (via enemies), repentance (“crying out to the Lord”), and deliverance, with the emphasis on a specific deliverer (“judge”). The book of Ruth provides an epilogue, illustrating that even in such times of faithlessness, God uses the faithfulness of a few to bring about his good purposes. This little book ends with an ancestor in the line of King David, the next major figure anticipating the Messiah.
In a brief, one page essay, describe a situation or relationship that fell apart because of sin but later benefited from God’s restoring grace. Note links to the four-part cycle where appropriate.
Assignment 3 – 1 & 2 Samuel
Name: Date:
Focus: “In the Text”
Objective: To recognize the progressive and diverse ways that the Bible characterizes key figures.
Directions:
On the surface, 1 Samuel is primarily about Israel’s great prophet, Samuel, and Israel’s first king, Saul. However, the book anticipates the coming of King David, the leading figure of 2 Samuel. Describe how the author “sets the stage” for God’s chosen arrival as specifically as you can (e.g., beginning with Hannah’s prayer). Then summarize how the two books characterize David. In what ways is he portrayed as an ideal king and in what ways is he portrayed as a man under judgment? Use specific references where possible.
Assignment 4 – 1 Kings
Name: Date:
Focus: “In the Text”
Objective: To take the Interpretive Journey through an OT narrative text in order to discover important literary themes and theological principles.
Directions:
Your assignment is to examine the demise of Solomon in 1 Kings 11. To complete the assignment, you will need to do the following:
1) Read chapter 18 in Grasping God’s Word (pp. 305-325). You can find the chapter in its entirety at the following link: http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/Class-Assignments.cfm. In the OT assignment area, click on the PDF file entitled: Grasping God’s Word, Ch. 18. The password for opening the document is: OT.
2) Make a photocopy of 1 Kings 11. As you study the text, mark your observations directly on the copy of the text. Limit your marks to major observations.
3) Explain how the narrative fits into the overall story/theology of the book, specifically identifying links to Deuteronomic themes and passages as found in Deuteronomy and Joshua-Kings. You will want to include the Davidic covenant and the covenant with Israel (including blessings and curses for both), as well as the rise and role of prophets/prophecy in assessing the faithfulness of Israel and the monarchy to covenant stipulations. For this step, you will need to consult a concordance for key Deuteronomic terms (i.e., covenant, blessing, curse, etc.), a reference Bible for key passages, and a Bible Dictionary or Bible Encyclopedia (searching for articles and listings under Deuteronomic/Deuteronomistic). For a list of recommended dictionaries and encyclopedias, see the following bibliography: http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/annotated-survey-ot.pdf .
A good resource to begin one’s research is:
Hays, J. Daniel, and J. Scott Duvall, eds. The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook.
Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2011, pp. 184-209.
4) Take Grasping God’s Word’s Interpretive Journey by completing all 5 steps as summarized in pp. 304 and 323-325. Write out one or more statements for each step.
Assignment 5 – 2 Kings
Name: Date:
Focus: “Behind the Text”
Objective: To understand the political background of the fall of Judah by researching historical and archaeological sources.
Directions:
The fall of Judah and, particularly, Jerusalem was perhaps the most cataclysmic event in Old Testament history. All of God’s promises for a “promised land” and eternal dwelling place were long in coming to fruition. Yet within a few centuries Israel and its capital were lost. Knowing what was going on internationally at the time will better help us understand the context in which Judah’s kings made their political and theological choices.
Using a Bible atlas, dictionary, and/or illustrated Bible background commentary, write a 1-2 page summary of the political background of Hezekiah’s resistance to Assyrian King Sennacherib in 701 B.C. Specifically, name key events, alliances, building projects, and battles. In your summary, briefly explain the significance of Hezekiah’s decision to show the Babylonian envoy the temple treasures. Finally, list the key biblical and extra-biblical sources and archaeological remains that help us put these pieces together.
Required Resources (on reserve or available for copy at the library desk):
Zondervan Atlas of the Bible (2010 edn) pp. 165-168.
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (@ 2 Kings 18-20)
Optional Resources for those interested in doing more in-depth research:
Go to the following link: http://www.gordonconwell.edu/lifelong_learners/bibliographies_old_testament_research At this link, there are two important bibliographies that will help you in researching the topic: 1) “Bibliographic Handbook for the World of the Bible: Old Testament” and 2) “A collection of resources on the history, land, culture, and texts of the Old Testament world.
Annotated Survey of Old Testament Reference Tools.” From the Bibliographic Handbook choose a recommended Bible atlas to understand the geography of 2 Kings 18-20. From the Old Testament Reference Tools, choose a commentary to write your essay. These resources are available in the library reference section.