Contextualized Leadership Development
Sponsored by Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary
CLS 1114 Old Testament Introduction - 3 Hours
Center Name and Location: I9 Southwest Illinois School of Theology
Instructor’s Name: David Wickiser
E-mail address:
Phone Number: (931) 623-1493
Classes will meet at the MEBA Office, 4950 Old Collinsville Road, Swansea, on Thursday nights
beginning August 21,from 6:30 - 9 30 p.m.
Course Description
This course is a foundational introduction to the content, background, interpretation, and critical
studies of the Old Testament, with a survey and study of each of the books of the Old Testament.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student should have a conceptual foundation out of which to begin to understand the Old Testament as well as a basic grasp of the issues, methods, tools, and contexts of the interpretive enterprise.
Cognitive Objectives: At the end of the course, the student should demonstrate:
1. An enhanced love for the OT, and respect for its authority as Scripture.
2. An understanding of OT’s content, structure, message, and interpretation.
3. A basic knowledge of literary, theological, historical, cultural, and geographical setting.
4. An adequate foundation for continued study including familiarity with all valid interpretation tools, ability to evaluate and utilize current periodical literature, reference materials and commentaries related to OT study.
Affective Objectives: When the course is completed, each student should:
5. Have new insights for studying and accurately interpreting the Scriptures.
6. Have renewed desire for Christians to clearly understand biblical truths and apply them in their lives.
Format
The basic teaching method will be lecture; time will be set aside for questions and answers. Other formats will be utilized as well, including video and class discussion periods. The classroom is designed to be a “safe” environment of mutual respect for ideas and interpretations.
Each student is expected to be ON TIME for class and ABSENCES SHOULD BE AVOIDED. Please turn off cell phones and pagers during class.
Each student is expected to prepare for each class period by reading the assigned material.
Course Texts:
Required:
The Bible (A Literal translation will be best for this class).
Hill, Andrew and John Walton, A Survey of the Old Testament. 3rd Ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. ISBN: 0310280958. Cost: List $49.99 (Amazon $31.49).
Aharoni, Yohanan, Avi-Yonah, Michael, Rainey, Anson F., and Safrai. The Carta Bible Atlas. Fifth Edition. Jerusalem: Carta, 2011. ISBN-13:978-9652208149 Cost: (Amazon $45.80).
Recommended:
Arnold, B. T. and Bryan E. Beyer, Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999.
Harrison, R. K. Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1969.
LaSor, W. S., D. A. Hubbard, and F. W. Bush. Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form and Background of the Old Testament. Second Edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992.
Merrill, E. Kingdom of Priests. 2nd Ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing, 2008.
Walton, J. H., V. H. Matthews, and M. W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2000.
Walton, J. H. Chronological and Background Charts of the Old Testament. Revised Edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
Wegner, P. D. The Journey from Texts to Translations (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999).
*** Note: The inclusion of any given text on the above list or in any bibliography given in this course, in no way indicates that any or all views espoused within said text represent those of the instructor. Reading at this level of education is designed to stimulate critical thinking and discernment on the part of the student rather than indoctrination.
Evaluation and Grading
Three evaluating instruments will be used to determine grades. All assignments must be completed on time in order to pass the class; a student may not simply choose to not complete a particular assignment.
1) TESTS (60%)
A midterm and a final exam will be given. These tests will consist of both objective and discussion questions, from both class material and the required readings. Each of these tests is worth 30% of the student’s grade. Students MUST be present for the scheduled exams.
PURPOSE: To make sure that you understand the content of the class.
2) BOOK SUMMARIES (10% for each)
Two one page visual synopses of the material or chart can be made of any of the biblical books. The structure of this visual synopsis should contain the following information: 1. Date (and historical background); 2. Author (if known) and background; 3. Key Ideas of the book; and 4. Key Verse. The summary should be on one page and cover the main content of the book. An example from the book of Judges can be found at the end of this syllabus. The highlight of the synopsis should be on the outline and structure of the biblical book. It will be graded on clarity of showing the flow of the book, thoroughness, neatness, creativity, and that it covers the major content of the book.
PURPOSE: To learn a teaching tool for helping people learn the Bible.
3) READING PROJECT (20%)
Because much of this course is based upon reading material, each student will produce a short paper based on her or his understanding of that reading. This paper will consist of two sections:
1) (5%) a statement giving the percentage of the Old Testament (Torah, Nevi’im and Kethuvim) which the student has read THIS SEMESTER (separate piece of paper); and
2) (15%) a two page, single spaced overview of the whole Old Testament. This is commonly called the “metanarrative” of the OT and it is becoming more and more common for people not to know this. Start in Genesis and go all the way through to Malachi explaining the big picture and how each part of the OT fits into this story. Make sure to put the references where there are specific verses that are crucial to God’s story. Think through this project carefully so that you have a balanced presentation of the material and enough detail on the important parts of the OT—make sure you point out how each part of the OT fits into the overall message and fill the two pages.
A Breakdown of how the grade is calculated is:
Time Management
Midterm 30% 8 hrs.
Final 30% 8 hrs.
Book Summary 1 10% 3 hrs.
Book Summary 2 10% 3 hrs.
Reading and Report 20% 62 hrs.
TOTAL 100% 90 hrs.
Attendance – Students are expected to attend and participate in classroom activities as directed by the professor. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with professors for missed class work. A professor is under no obligation to assist a student in making up assignments unless a student provides a legitimate reason for the absence (e.g., illness or family emergency). When a foreseeable absence occurs, a student should consult with the professor in advance about work which will be missed. You must attend all of the classes scheduled to receive an “A.” Each student is expected to be ON TIME for classes and one absence (20%) will result in a letter grade reduction; two absences (40%) will normally result in a failure of the class. Please turn off all cell phones and pagers during class.
Schedule
This schedule follows the basic structure of the Hebrew Canon of the Old Testament, Torah, Nevi’im, and Kethuvim (Pentateuch, Prophets, Writings). Note that the “Book of the 12” (also known as the “Minor Prophets”) and the “Major Prophets” are presented in a more historical and chronological order, for a more easy understanding of their context. Understand that it is expected that the entire Old Testament will be read by the student during the course of this semester.
NOTE: For Week 2b; students are encouraged to scan either of the following books:
Fee, G. D., and D. Stuart. How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth. 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003 and Paul Wegner, Journey from Texts to Translations (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999).
Week / Class Content / Textbook Readings / Scripture ReadingsTHE BIBLE AS AUTHORITATIVE LITERATURE / Hill and Walton = H+W
1a / Introduction.
The Old Testament as Scripture
The Ancient Near Eastern Literary and Cultural Environments / H+W, 21-54
1b / Production and Preservation of the OT
2a / Canonization, Transmission, and Translation
2b / General Interpretation of the Old Testament: Hermeneutical Methods / *****
TORAH: INSTRUCTION
3a / Primeval History / H+W, 56-98 / Genesis 1-11
3b / Patriarchs and Matriarchs / Genesis 11-50
4a / Bondage and Rescue / H+W, 101-23 / Exodus 1-18
4b / Covenant I / Exodus 19-40
5a / Covenant II / H+W, 125-61 / Leviticus, Numbers
5b / Covenant Reestablished / H+W, 163-78 / Deuteronomy
NEVI’IM: THE FORMER PROPHETS
6a / Biblical Historiography / H+W, 181-201
6b / Early Israel / H+W, 203-54 / Joshua & Judges, Ruth
7a / Israel United / H+W, 257-76 / 1 & 2 Samuel, 1Kings 1-11
7b / Israel Divided / H+W, 279-306 / 1 Kings 12- 2 Kings 25
7c / Review
8a / MIDTERM EXAM
8b / Near Eastern and Israelite Prophecy
Hebrew Poetry / H+W, 357-99, 400-417, 441-79 / Job, Song of Songs, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes
NEVI’IM: THE LATTER PROPHETS
9a / Outline of Israelite History: 800-700 BC
9b / The Latter Prophets Ia: Assyria and the North / H+W, 581-616 / Hosea, Joel, Amos,
9c / The Latter Prophets Ib: Assyria and the South / H+W, 503-31, 629-47 / Jonah, Micah, Isaiah
10a / Outline of Israelite History: 700-587 BC
10b / The Latter Prophets IIa: Babylon / H+W, 651-74, 619-22, 658-70, / Zephaniah.,
Habakkuk, Nahum, Obadiah
11a / The Latter Prophets IIb: Babylon / H+W, 533-40 / Jeremiah, Lamentations
11b / The Latter Prophets III: To the Exiles / H+W, 553-79 / Daniel, Ezekiel
12a / Outline of the History of the Post-Exilic Period: 540-64 BC
12b / The Latter Prophets IV: Post-Exile / H+W, 676-700 / Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
KETHUVIM: WRITINGS
12c / Later History (Persian History) / H+W, 309-30 / 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
13a / Ancient Hebrew Worship / H+W, 419-38 / Psalms
13b / Religion and Faith in the Old Testament / H+W, 714-50
14a / Review
15 / FINAL EXAM
Additional Helpful Books for Basic Old Testament Study
GENERAL ASPECTS OF OT STUDY
Alter, R. The Art of Biblical Narrative. Boulder, Col.: Basic Books, 1981.
Alter, R. The Art of Biblical Poetry. Boulder, Col.: Basic Books, 1985.
Childs, B. S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1979.
Crenshaw, J. L. Old Testament Wisdom: An Introduction. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1998.
Long, V. P. The Art of Biblical History. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
Sailhamer, J. The Pentateuch as Narrative. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992.
Wilson, R. R. Prophecy and Society in Ancient Israel. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1980.
Yancey, P. The Bible Jesus Read. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1999.
OT BACKGROUNDS
Mazar, A. Archaeology of the Land of the Bible: 10,000-586 B.C.E. New York: Doubleday, 1990.
Bright, J. A History of Israel. 4rd Ed. Westminster, 2000.
Hoerth, A. J. Archaeology and the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
Hoerth, A. J., G. L. Mattingly, and E. Yamauchi, eds. Peoples of the Old Testament World. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.
King, P. J., and L. E. Stager. Life in Biblical Israel. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2001.
Matthews, V. H. and D. C. Benjamin. Old Testament Parallels: Laws and Stories from the Ancient Near East. 2nd Ed. New York/Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 1997.
Merrill, E. H. A Kingdom of Priests. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008.
Provan, I., V. P. Long, and T. Longman III. A Biblical History of Israel. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003.
Walton, J. H. Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006
Wegner, The Journey from Texts to Translations: The Origin and Development of the Bible.
Baker, 1999.
Wiseman, D. J., ed. Peoples of Old Testament Times. Oxford: Clarendon, 1973.
OT SURVEYS
Arnold, B. T., and B. E. Beyer, Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey. 2nd Ed. Encountering Biblical Studies. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008.
LaSor, W. S., D. A. Hubbard, and F. W. Bush. Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament. 2nd Ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
Longman, T., and R. B. Dillard. An Introduction to the Old Testament. 2nd Ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.
OT HERMENEUTICS
Baker, D. W., and B. T. Arnold. The Face of Old Testament Studies: A Survey of Contemporary Approaches. Grand Rapids: Appolos/Baker Academic, 1999.
Bartholomew, C., C. S. Evans, M. Healy, and M. Rae, eds. “Behind” the Text: History and Biblical Interpretation. Scripture and Hermeneutics Series, ed. Craig Bartholomew, vol. 4. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
Bray, G. Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1996.
Dockery, D. S., K. A. Matthews, R. B. Sloan, eds. Foundations for Biblical Interpretation: A Complete Library of Tools and Resources. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994.
Fee, G. D., and D. Stuart. How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
Stuart, D. Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors, 4th ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2009.
OT THEOLOGY
Ollenberger, B. The Flowering of Old Testament Theology. 2nd Ed. Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, 2004.
There are several Software programs that are very helpful for studying and determining what Hebrew words really mean or where they occur:
▪ Free Ware: Blue Letter Bible, Crosswalk.com, E-Sword (www.e-sword.net).
▪ Paid Software: Logos, Bible Works, Accordance
** Notes for CLD professors
1. Example syllabus prepared by Dr. Paul D. Wegner
2. This is intended to be an example for your course. You may add to it or re-arrange material, but please do not delete any topics from your curriculum.
3. Books are given as suggestions. Feel free to choose different texts as you feel necessary, in order to assist students, especially when there are linguistic needs.