OT003-812 - Old Testament Overview

  • 3,432 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category foundational unit
    A
  • Old Testament Unit Discipline

Exclusions

This unit may not be taken if both OT001 AND OT002 have previously been taken. It is not permittd to enrol in this unit concurrently with either OT001 or OT002.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

  1. Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of the Old Testament, including its contents, structure and themes.

B. Be able to

  1. Critically Analyse the contents and distinctive features of selected books of the Old Testament
  2. Assess the leading theological themes in the Old Testament
  3. Evaluate evidence-based perspectives on the contents and themes of the Old Testament.

C. Be in a position to

  1. Apply knowledge, Critical thinking skills and perspectives from ‘Old Testament Overview’ to contemporary Christian living and ministry practice as a reflective practitioner

Content

Introduction

  1. Historical development of the canon (brief timeline).
  2. Brief history of the ordering of the books - English vs Hebrew canon.
  3. Divisions of the Old Testament: Law; History - Prophets; Writings
  4. Biblical-theological themes: eg. Kingdom of God; covenant; promise; land; Temple (and city); “God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule” (Goldsworthy).
  5. The Old Testament as the foundational preparation for the ensuing New Testament.

 

The following sections will all contain thematic summaries of the books of the Old Testament, and a brief description of key biblical-theological motifs:

Section A: Law (Pentateuch)

The key themes of each major section or books of the Pentateuch are noted bellow:

  1. Genesis 1-11
  2. Genesis 12 -50
  3. Exodus
  4. Leviticus/Numbers
  5. Deuteronomy

 

Section B: Prophet –History

Former Prophets (c.1400 -587 BC):

  1. Joshua –Judges
  2. 1 and 2 Samuel
  3. 1 and 2 Kings

 

Latter Prophets (ie. Prophetic books):

  1. The Book of Isaiah
  2. The Book of Jeremiah
  3. The Book of Ezekiel
  4. The Twelve (“Minor Prophets”)

 

Section C: Writings

  1. Poetic (or Wisdom) books: Job; Psalms; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes: Song of Songs; Lamentations
  2. Narrative: Ruth; Esther
  3. Prophetic-Apocalyptic: Daniel
  4. Redemptive History:  Ezra-Nehemiah; 1 & 2 Chronicles

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


Prescribed:

Bartholomew and Goheen, The Drama of Scripture Finding our Place in the Biblical Story (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004).

Goldsworthy, G., The Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel and Kingdom, Wisdom and Revelation (Exeter: Paternoster, 2002).

 

Recommended:

Alexander, T. D., From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch (Exeter: Paternoster, 2002).

Blenkinsopp, J., A History of Prophecy in Israel (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1996).

Childs, B., Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture (London: SCM Press, 1979).

Dempster, S. G., Dominion and Dynasty: A Biblical Theology of the Hebrew Bible (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2003)

Dillard, R. B. and T. Longman III, An Introduction to the Old Testament  (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994).

Dumbrell, W. J., Covenant and Creation (Exeter: Paternoster Press, 1984).

McGrath, A. E., A Scientific Theology (Vol.1; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001).

Richter, S. L., The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2008).

Strom, M., The Symphony of Scripture: Making Sense of the Bible’s Many Themes (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2001).

Williamson, P. R., Sealed with an Oath (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2007).

 

Atlases

Aharoni, Y. and M. Avi-Yonah (eds), The Carta Bible Atlas (4th ed.; Jerusalem: Carta, 2002).

Dowley, T. (ed.), The Baker Atlas of Christian History (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997).

Pritchard, J. B. and L. M. White (eds), HarperCollins Concise Atlas of the Bible (New York: HarperCollins, 2000).

Roaf, M., Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East (New York: Facts on File, 1990).

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