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Lamar E. Cooper, Sr. Senior Professor
Old Testament & Archaeology Telephone: 214-818-1322
CriswellCollege Email: lcooper@ criswell.edu
OTS 602 L00.A Old Testament Theology
Spring 2016
Course Description
A study of the principal religious themes of the Old Testament from the perspective afforded by exegetical studies of the Hebrew text. While the course includes a historical introduction to the discipline of Old testament theology, focus is on delineating the distinctive elements of Hebrew thought and their contributions to the shape of biblical revelation. (Prerequisites: OTS 501, OTS 601, or equivalents)
The course will include an introduction to the chronological development of the theology of the Old Testament. In addition, the course also will delineate the distinctive elements of Old Testament theology and will consider the prevailing issues in the ongoing debate regarding the definitive center for the study of OT theology.
Course Objectives
1)Students completing this course will be able to evaluate various Old Testament theologies, and to the methodological approach of each.
2)Students completing this course will be able to recognize and relate the current issues of debate in Old Testament theology to the field of Old Testament studies in particular and to biblical studies in general. The student will also be equipped to take a position in the current debate over the “center” of the discipline of Old Testament theology.
3)Students will be able to evaluate the various methodologies for formulating a theology of the Old Testament.
4)Students will be able to function as Old Testament theologians and each student will formulate his own method of “doing” theology of the Old Testament.
5)Students will be able to define the basic areas of faith and practice as presented in the Old Testament.
6)Students will be able to relate the distinctive elements of Hebrew thought in the development of the Old Testament revelation.
Course Texts
Hasel, Gerhard. Old Testament Theology: Basic Issues in Current Debate. Fourth Edition. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991.
Merrill, Eugene H. Everlasting Dominion: A Theology of the Old Testament. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2006.
Recommended Text
VanGemeren, Willem A. A Guide to Old Testament Theology and Exegesis. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
Course Requirements
1)Students will complete reading assignments on the daily class schedule, additional assigned readings in class from Merrill, Hasel, and VanGemeren texts.
2)Each student will prepare a paper evaluating the work of an Old Testament theologian (not to include Eugene Merrill) by presenting a review of his theology. The paper should be typed and copies made to distribute to members of the class and the professor. Papers should include, and will be evaluated on the following points:
Biographical information about the Old Testament theologian
An analysis of the method by which the theologian “does” his theology
An evaluation of the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the work and the method of the theologian
Quotes, unique insights, unique contributions of the theology
A selected bibliography of any other written works of your theologian
3)Each student will research any three key theological words used in Old Testament theology, e.g. redemption, forgiveness, sin, salvation, holiness, covenant, atonement, etc. A more extensive list will be provided in class. These word studies should be no less than two pages each, plus references to indicate your sources. These references may be listed and endnotes and the endnotes should conform the thesis guide.
4)There will be a comprehensive final exam that will include knowledge of the history and development of Old Testament theology, theological terms, and Old Testament theologies.
Grading
(1)There will be a quiz over the reading for each class where there is a reading assignment. I will drop the three lowest grades. This average will count as 20% of the final grade. If you miss class there will be no make-ups on reading exams but a missed quiz will count as a lowest grade.
(2)Each student will prepare a paper reviewing an Old Testament theology, other than the Merrill theology. This paper should be prepared according to the guidelines presented above in “Course Assignments,” item #2. This paper will be graded according to those guidelines, content, and accuracy. The grade on the paper will comprise 50% of the final grade. The final draft of this paper is due in the professor’s office no later than April 11, 2015. A late penalty will be charged for all late papers.
(3)Each student will prepare three theological word studies as outlined in “Course Assignments,” item #3 or one book study item #4. The grade on this assignment will count as 10% of the final grade. These word studies or theological evaluations are due no later than April 25, 2015. A late penalty will be assessed for all late papers.
(4)There will be a comprehensive final exam based on the review questions that will be distributed and discussed in class. This exam will count as 20% of the final grade.
Grading System
The following is a new grading system that has been adopted by the faculty. Each student taking this course for credit will be given a letter grade corresponding to the numerical grade received on quizzes and exams. The significance of letter grades is as follows:
A97-1004.0 grade points per semester hour
A-93-963.7 grade points per semester hour
B+91-923.3 grade points per semester hour
B 88-903.0 grade points per semester hour
B-86-872.7 grade points per semester hour
C+83-852.3 grade points per semester hour
C 80-822.0 grade points per semester hour
C-78-791.7 grade points per semester hour
D+75-771.3 grade points per semester hour
D 72-741.0 grade point per semester hour
D-70-710.7 grade points per semester hour
F 0-690.0 grade points per semester hour
Attendance Policies
Absences: Since class participation is vital to learning, absences should be taken only when absolutely necessary. More than three (3) absences for block classes will result in a grade of “F” for the courses. The professor and the Vice President of Academic Affairs must approve all exceptions to this policy. Proportionate absences apply to all other terms (winter and summer terms, etc.). Students are responsible for all absences due to illness or any other reason. Granting of excused absences is permitted at the discretion of the professor.
Tardies: Missing more than fifteen (15) minutes at the beginning or end of a class period is considered one absence. Three instances of tardiness of fifteen minutes or less equals one absence. The tardy student is responsible for notifying the professor of his/her presence in writing at the end of class. Students who wish to depart early should clear it with the professor.
Incomplete Grades
Students requesting a grade of Incomplete (I) must understand that incomplete grades maybe given only upon approval of the faculty member involved. An “I” may be assigned only when a student is currently passing a course and in situations involving extended illness, serious injury, death in the family, or employment or government reassignment, not student neglect.
Students are responsible for contacting their professors prior to the end of the semester, plus filing the appropriate completed and approved academic request form with the Registrar’s Office. The “I” must be removed (by completing the remaining course requirements) no later than 60 calendar days after the grade was assigned, or the “I” will become an “F.”
Institutional Policies
Academic Honesty:
Absolute truth is an essential belief and basis of behavior for those who believe in a God who cannot lie and forbids falsehood. Academic honesty is the application of the principle of truth in the classroom setting. Academic honesty includes the basic premise that all work submitted by students must be their own and any ideas derived or copied from elsewhere must be carefully documented.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
• cheating of any kind,
• submitting, without proper approval, work originally prepared by the student for another course,
• plagiarism, which is the submitting of work prepared by someone else as if it were his own, and
• failing to credit sources properly in written work.
Learning Disabilities:
In order to ensure full class participation, any student with a disabling condition requiring special accommodations (e.g., tape recorders, special adaptive equipment, special note-taking or test-taking needs) is strongly encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course or if a student has a learning disability, please inform the professor so assistance can be provided.
Auditing and Sit-in Students:
Any student may enroll in a course as an Auditor or Sit-in as long as the class is below capacity. A student’s permanent transcript will reflect which courses have been completed as audits. Sit-in students are not given grades by professors and their transcripts will not reflect enrollment in the course. Taking tests and participation in course activities are afforded to credit students in the syllabus and is at the discretion of the professor.
Distance Education: (One requirement in your distance education course should include a more specific assignment or task which will involve the student’s use of Wallace Library’s resources in a way that can be evaluated.)
General:
Students participating in courses through Distance Education, whether with or without live interaction, must complete the academic requirements for those courses with the integrity and commitment necessary to participate in and benefit from all of the exercises provided by the professor for learning the subject matter of the course. Therefore credit for Distance Education courses is the same as credit for courses taken on campus.
Library:
Distance education students can access information about Criswell College’s Wallace Library at The Wallace Library manual is available at
Student Life:
Students needing educational support or services should contact the Student Services at 214-818-1332 or .
Video and Other Intellectual Property Rights:
Unless otherwise specifically instructed in writing by the professor, students must neither materially nor digitally reproduce materials from any course offered by Criswell College for or with the significant possibility of distribution.
Course Daily Schedule
1/18MLK Holiday (no class)
1/25Introduction to Course: Why Study Theology? Introduction to Biblical Theology of the Old Testament: Contemporary Issues, Factors that determine one’s theology; Reading Merrill, Everlasting Dominion, pp.1-33 [hereinafter, Merrill, ED, pp--]
2/1Introduction to Biblical Theology: Contemporary Issues continued, Kaiser, “The Theology of the Old Testament,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, pp. 285-305; Old Testament Theology: Definition & Relation to Biblical Theology; Motyer, Old Testament Theology in New Bible Commentary, pp. 26-33;pp. 1-9 Merrill, ED, pp. 37-74, VanGemeren, 11-47.
2/8Old Testament Theology: Definition & Relation to Biblical Theology (continued), Rust, Old Testament Theology in Broadman Bible Commentary, I (Revised), pp. 71-86; Old Testament Theology: Historical Overview (continued),Tsevat, “Theology of the Old Testament – a Jewish View,” in Horizons in Biblical Theology, 8/2/86, including response by B. W. Anderson, pp. 33-59; Merrill, ED, pp.75-100; VanGemeren, 48-64.
2/15Old Testament Theology: Searching for the Center, Sweeney, “Tanak versus Old Testament: Concerning the Foundation for a Jewish Theology of the Bible,” pp. 353-371; Merrill, ED, pp.101-126; VanGemeren, 65-82.
2/22Old Testament Theology: Searching for the Center (continued), Wolfhart Pannenberg, “Problems in a Theology (Only) of the Old Testament, pp. 275-280, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997;Carl F. H. Henry, Thirteen Theological Endnotes, in World, December 24, 1994; Hasel, Old Testament Theology: Basic Issues in the Current Debate, pp. 1-27; Merrill, ED, pp. 127-162; VanGemeren, 83-99.
2/29Old Testament Theology, Hasel, pp. 28-91, Merrill, ED, pp. 165-225; VanGemren, 100-121.
3/7Old Testament Theology: Effects of Historical Criticism on Old Testament Theology; Hasel, pp. 91-138, Merrill, OTT, pp. 227-249; VanGemeren, 122-130.
3/14-18Spring Break (no class)
3/21Old Testament Theology: Center of OTT – Kingdom of God, Merrill. pp.251-323; VanGemeren, 131-157.
3/28Old Testament Theology: Center of OTT
Hasel, pp. 139-171; Merrill, ED, pp. 325-382; VanGemeren, 158-168.
4/4Old Testament Theology: Old Covenant vs. New Covenant, Israel & the Church, Basis for Doing Theology, Hasel, pp. 172-208; Merrill, ED, pp. 383-464; VanGemeren, 169-181.
4/11Review Questions for Final Exam from Hasel; Merrill, ED, pp.465-520; VanGemeren, 182-202.
Evaluation of Old Testament Theologies
4/18Evaluation of Old Testament Theologies; Merrill, ED, pp. 521-565.
4/25Evaluation of Old Testament Theologies, Merrill, ED, pp.569-651
5/2Evaluation of Old Testament Theologies
5/9Final Exam
OLD TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alexander, T. Desmond, From Eden to the New Jerusalem. Grand Rapids: Kregal, 2008.
Baab, Otto J. The Theology of the Old Testament. New York: Abingdon Press, 1949.
Bennett, W. H. The Theology of the Old Testament. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1908.
Brueggemann, Walter. Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005.
_____. Old Testament Theology: An Introduction. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2008.
Clements, Ronald E. Old Testament Theology. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1978.
Childs, Brevard S. Old Testament Theology in a Canonical Context. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985.
_____. Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments: Theological Reflection on the Christian Bible. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 1993.
Davidson, A. B. The Theology of the Old Testament. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1904.
Dyrness, William. Themes in Old Testament Theology. Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1978.
Eichrodt, Walther. Theology of the Old Testament. 2 Vols. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1961.
Goldingay, John. Old Testament Theology: Israel’s Gospel, vol. 1. Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2003.
_____. Old Testament Theology: Israel’s Faith, vol. 2.Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.
_____. Old Testament Theology: Israel’s Life, vol. 3. Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008.
Hasel, Gerhard. Old Testament Theology: Basic Issues in Current Debate. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982. [Revised and Expanded, Third Edition]
Hayes, John H. and Prussner, Frederick. Old Testament Theology its History and Development. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1985.
House, Paul R. Old Testament Theology. Downer’s Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1998.
Heinisch, Paul and Heidt, William G. Theology of the Old Testament. The Liturgical Press, n.d.
Jacob, Edmund. Theology of the Old Testament. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers 1958.
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. Toward An Old Testament Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1978.
_____. The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2008.
Knight George A. F. A Christian Theology of the Old Testament. Richmond: John Knox Press, 1959.
McKenzie, John L. A Theology of the Old Testament. Garden City, New York: Image Books, 1974.
Martens, Elmer. God’s Design: A Focus On Old Testament Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981.
Merrill, Eugene H. Everlasting Dominion: A Theology of the Old Testament. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2006.
Oehler, Gustav Friedrich. Theology of the Old Testament. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1873.
Payne, J. Barton. Theology of the Older Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1971.
Raven, John Howard. The History of the Religion of Israel: An Old Testament Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1979.
Rad, Gerhard von. Old Testament Theology. 2 Vols. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1962.
Robinson, Richard A. God, Torah, Messiah: The Messianic Jewish Theology of Dr. Louis Goldberg. San Francisco: Purple Pomegranate Productions, 2009.
Rogerson, J. W. A Theology of the Old Testament: Cultural Memory, Communication, and Being Human. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2010.
Routledge, Robin. Old Testament Theology: A Thematic Approach. Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008.
Sailhamer, John H. Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.
Smith, Ralph L. Old Testament Theology. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1993.
Snaith, Norman H. The Distinctive Ideas of the Old Testament. New York: Schocken Books, 1969.
VanGemeren, Willem A. A Guide to Old Testament Theology and Exegesis. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament: A Book by Book Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008
Vos, Geerhardus. Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1948.
Waltke, Bruce K. An Old Testament Theology: an Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2007.
Zimmerli, Walther. Old Testament Theology in Outline. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1978.
Zuck, Roy B. (ed.) A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 1991.