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Genesis-Joshua Syllabus
Genesis - Joshua
OT508
Fall 2011
Instructor: Richard (Dick) Belcher,
Course Description
This course covers creation to the promised land through literary, historical, and theological analysis. Major themes are traced through redemptive history as each biblical book is examined. Important theological issues, such as creation, fall, covenant, and law, are examined in the context of the ANE and Israel's own historical setting. Such analysis is foundational for understanding the rest of Scripture and for how this section of Scripture has meaning for God's people today.
Course Objectives
a) To acquire a general knowledge of the content of the first six books of the Bible.
b) To help the student look at the broad picture and to see how the different parts of this section of the canon relate to each other.
c) To understand the foundational importance of the Pentateuch for the rest of Scripture by looking at key theological issues.
d) To examine this section of Scripture in light of the culture and history of the ANE.
Required Reading
Textbooks
1) Ray Dillard and Tremper Longman III, Introduction to the OT (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994/2006), pp 13-132 (hereinafter IOT).
2) V. Poythress, The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses(P & R Publishing, 1991), chapters 1-11, 17, Appendices A, B, C.
3) Norman C. Nevin, ed., Should Christians Embrace Evolution? Biblical and Scientific Responses (P & R Publishing, 2011)
4) D. Brant Sandy and Ronald L. Giese, Jr., eds., Cracking Old Testament Codes. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995, chapters 1, 4-6.
5) John H. Walton, Ancient Israelite Literature in its Cultural Context. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989, chapters 1-5.
6) Readings on Covenant
a) Ligon Duncan, "Recent Objections to Covenant Theology: A Description, Evaluation and Response," in The Westminster Confession into the 21st Century (3 vols.; ed. Ligon Duncan; Christian Focus, 2009), 3:467-500; on reserve
b) David VanDrunen and R. Scott Clark, "The Covenant before the Covenants," in Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry (ed. R. Scott Clark; P & R, 2007), 167-196; on reserve
Assignments
1) The books from Genesis to Joshua must each be read.
2) The Required Reading (see the list above and the schedule below).
3) Three Directed Reading Questions from IOT (see the handout).
4) There will be a quiz each week covering memory verses and outlines. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped. The first quiz you miss for any reason will be your dropped quiz. Please be on time. The memory verses are Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 49:10, Exodus 19:5, Leviticus 17:11, Numbers 32:23, Deuteronomy 32:46-47, and Joshua 21:45.
5) A research paper on a law passage (Exodus 21 through Deuteronomy). See the handout on the guidelines for the paper.
Grades
1) Exams50%
2) Research Paper30%
3) Quizzes10%
4) Reading/IOT Quest10% (7/3)
Schedule
DayTopicsAssigned Reading
August 24Introduction to the CourseNevin pp. 9-26
Historical, Theological, and Literary:
Critical Theories at a Crossroads
Authorship of the Pentateuch
August 31Genesis 1:1-2:4: An Ancient TextGenesis 1:1-2:4
with Modern ImplicationsPoythress 1
The Days in Genesis One: A Review Codes 1 & pp 36-43
of the Options
September 7Genesis One and the Meaning of YômGenesis 2-3
Genesis 2-3: The Origin of Our Nevin pp. 27-72
ProblemsWalton Intro & 1
September 14Genesis 4-11: The Outworking of SinGenesis 4-11
Covenant: God's Way of Relating Walton 4
to CreationCovenant Articles
September 21The Patriarchs: God Will Fulfill Genesis 12-36
His PromisesIOT 2
Codes 4
Nevin pp. 73-116
September 28Joseph: God Rewards FaithfulnessGenesis 37-50
Walton 2 Nevin pp. 117-136,
210-220
October 5Historical Review: God at Work forCodes pp 89-92;
the Sake of His People pp 98-106
Walton 5
Israel in Egypt: We Cannot Save Exodus 1-4
Ourselves IOT 3
**Midterm Exam given outside of Class**
October 12Fall Break/Reading Week
October 19The Plagues: God Fights for Exodus 5-11
His PeopleWalton 3
Redemption: God ProvidesExodus 12-19
For His PeoplePoythress 1
October 26The Mosaic Covenant: Law Exod 20-40
and TabernacleCodes 6
Different Approaches to thePoythress App B-C
Role of the LawNevin pp. 137-209
November 2Sacrifices and Priesthood:Lev 1-16
Approaching a Holy GodIOT 4
Leviticus 11-16: Cultic PurityPoythress 2-7
*Passage for Paper Due*
November 9Leviticus 17-27: The Holiness CodeLev 17-27
Numbers: Israel the Army of GodPoythress 8-9
Numbers
IOT 5
November 16No Class - ETS
November 23Deuteronomy: Covenant RenewalDeuteronomy
IOT 6
Poythress 10-11,
App A
November 30Joshua: Receiving the InheritanceJoshua
A Biblical Theology of Land IOT 3 DRQ due
and RestPoythress 17
**Research Paper due Wednesday, December 7**
December 8-9, 12-13Final Exam
Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
Course: Genesis to Joshua (OT 508)
Professor: Richard Belcher
Campus:Charlotte
Date: March 2009
MDiv* Student Learning OutcomesIn order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes.
*As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus. / Rubric
Strong
Moderate
Minimal
None / Mini-Justification
Articulation
(oral & written) / Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and cultural/global information, including details, concepts, and frameworks. / Strong / understanding through lectures and reading, articulation through essay exams and a research paper
Scripture / Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research further into the original meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate use of original languages and hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, and cultural/global perspectives.) / Strong / focus in the class is on understanding the original meaning, with some emphasis on language and more on hermeneutics, with the goal of understanding modern meaning
Reformed Theology / Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. / Moderate / the class has a good dose of Reformed distinctives, such as the emphasis on creation, fall, redemption, covenants, the role of the law
Sanctification / Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student’s sanctification. / Minimal / although everything in the class is geared toward better understanding who God is and a proper response to God
Desire for Worldview / Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. / Minimal / several issues in class deal directly with world view, especially the material in Genesis 1-3
Winsomely Reformed / Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians; and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) / Minimal / differing views of issues are set forth in an objective, fair, and winsome way
Preach / Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. / Minimal / there is an emphasis on how to preach/teach different segments of the course, but no hands-on experience
Worship / Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christian-worship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. / None
Shepherd / Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; and encouraging a concern for non-Christians, both in America and worldwide. / None
Church/World / Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. / Minimal / some of the issues in Genesis 1-3 are significant public issues