BIBL 101 INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT Carey Institute/ Winnipeg campus Instructor: Rev. Joseph Welty, M.A. Contact: [email protected] 3 undergraduate credit hours Starting Saturday, February 7, 2015

COURSE DESCRIPTION The purpose of this course is to provide students with a broad overview of the background and content of the Old Testament as well as providing students with the theological and hermeneutical framework for understanding its message and ongoing relevance for the Christian. The students will explore the major themes, persons and moments that make up the grand story of the Old Testament while paying attention to its historical, covenantal and theological contexts and its ongoing place in the life and teaching of the Church today.

LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon completion of this course student will be able to: 1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the structure, content, characters and broad storyline of the Old Testament. 2. Explain the relationship between the Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures and their ongoing relevance for the Christian. 3. Identify and use study tools to aid in their interpretation of Old Testament passages. 4. Use the Old Testament in a more thoughtful and theologically informed way in their teaching, preaching and personal reflection.

COURSE OUTLINE CLASS 1

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TOPIC Session One: Introduction to the Old Testament: What it is, how we got it, why and how we read it. Session Two: The Beginning: Gen. 1-11 Session Three: The Patriarchs: Genesis 12-50 Session Four: The Creation of a Nation: Exodus to Deuteronomy Session Five: God With Man: The Law, The Tabernacle, The Priesthood

READING ASSIGNMENTS Genesis 1-11

Fee: Genesis to Deuteronomy Genesis 12-22; Exodus 1-20, 33:12-34:35; Fee: Joshua to Ruth Leviticus 1-7, Numbers 9-14; Deuteronomy

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Session Six: Conquest and Conflict: Joshua to Ruth Session Seven: A Royal Nation: Saul, David and Solomon

1 Samuel 1-31; 2 Samuel 1-7, 11-19; I Kings 1-12

Class Presentations: Group 1

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Session Eight: A Divided Nation: Israel and Judah to the time of Jehu Session Nine: A Fallen Nation: Hezekiah to the Exile

Fee: Isaiah to Malachi 2 Chronicles 29-36; Nehemiah 1-7; Isaiah 111, 40-53; Jeremiah 25-33; Ezekiel 1-7; Daniel 1-12

Class Presentations: Group 2

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1-9, 28; Joshua 1-11; Judges 1-4, 6-8; Ruth 14 Fee: 1 & 2 Samuel to Esther

Session Ten: A Restored Nation: The Exile to the Intertestamental Period Session Eleven: The Songs and Sayings: An Overview of Old Testament Wisdom Literature

Fee: Job-Lamentations Job 1-3, 38-42; Psalm 1-5, 22-25, 78-80, 8991; Proverbs 1-3,10-12; Ecclessiastes 1-5:7, 12:1-14; Song of Songs 1-3; Lamentations 3

Class Presentations: Group 3 Session Twelve: FINAL EXAM

TEXTBOOKS  The Bible  Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible Book by Book (2002)

ASSIGNMENTS 1. Reading Students are required to read the assigned Old Testament passages and sections of the text book prior to each class. The assigned readings will prepare the students to discuss the material that we will cover that day as well as prepare them for weekly quizzes. English as an Additional Language students are encouraged but not required to use an English translation for their readings to help familiarize themselves with the language and terms that will be used in class. 2. Weekly Quizzes Each week students will take a short quiz based primarily on the assigned readings but also including a few questions dealing with the material covered in the previous week’s class. The quizzes will focus on recognizing the key people, places and events discussed in those passages. 2

3. Biblical Reflection Assignment. Each student will choose to do 1 of the following assignments: Option 1: Understanding and Applying the Old Testament Law Assignment Students will choose one passage from a list that will be provided and will then prepare an outline for a bible study they might teach from it. The study must answer the questions:  What does the passage say?  What did it mean for the Israelites who received it?  What does it mean now in light of Christ’s coming?  What are three practical, tangible ways that the Christian can apply this passage? Length: 500-750 words Due Date: At the beginning of Class 6 OR Option 2: Preaching from the Old Testament Assignment Each student will prepare and deliver a short but researched and well organzed sermon based on a passage of scripture from the Old Testament. Students must provide:  An introduction to the theme of the passage  An explanation of the passage that considers its literary and salvationhistorical contexts  The meaning of the passage for listeners in Winnipeg today  A conclusion Length: 10-12 minutes Due Date: As assigned 4. Final Exam Students will write an exam that focuses on the significant people, events and themes in the Old Testament and other key ideas that were discussed in the course. Exam Date: During Session 12

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STUDENT GRADES AND TIME EXPECTATIONS Attendance and Participation Reading Weekly Quizzes Biblical Reflection Assignment Final Exam

36 hours 45 hours 10 hours 15 hours 11 hours 117 hours

20% 20% 30% 30% 100%

CLASS SCHEDULE The course is designed to offer three credits upon completion. Students are expected to attend 36 hours of classroom instruction and to study outside the classroom for a minimum of 81 hours over the weeks of the course. All classes will take place -from 9:30 AM to 12:30 noon and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The place of instruction will be Broadway-First Baptist Church.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES In addition to our textbook by Fee and Stuart, there are many other books that provide helpful overviews of the Old Testament. Some of the more helpful survey books that are written with a wide variety of readers in mind are:  Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer, Encountering the Old Testament, 2nd Ed. (2008)  William S. Lasor, David A. Hubbard and Frederic W. Bush, Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament, 2nd Ed. (1996)  Tremper Longman and Raymond B. Dillard, And Introduction to the Old Testament, 2nd Ed (1994)  Eugene H. Merrill, An Historical Survey of the Old Testament (1991)  John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews and Mark Chavalas, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament (2000) Two helpful online resources for bible students include:  biblegateway.com which provides users with free access to almost 50 different English translations of the bible (including all major ones) plus translations in many different languages including French, Kiswahili, and Tagalog. The site also provides the ability to do simple searches and has been adding additional study tools like commentaries and bible study guides.  blueletterbible.org also provides free access to many of the major English translations of the bible and some additional study tools like commentaries and bible study guides. One unique feature about the site is its search tool that allows the user to search words in the original language by using the Strong’s number system. 4

For EAL students we recommend the New International Reader’s Version, a full English translation of the Bible that is written at a reading level that is easier to understand for people who have not known English their whole lives.

Confidentiality and Other Ethics of our Time Together: As we speak about our friends, family and fellow worshippers, we will speak knowing that what we say has an impact on us, them, and God. Hence, we will speak well of people and anything that might be said in error, we will correct. Also, we will not speak to anyone outside the class of what is personal to other students in our class, and when someone says, “this is confidential,” we understand this to mean that we will not speak of this to anyone. Extension Policy Students are encouraged to study together and discuss the questions and topics of the class. However, you are pledging on your honor that the papers you turn in are your own work. If you cite other people’s work in your papers, you must include a proper notation. Students are expected to turn in all assignments on time. In case of emergency or unforeseen circumstances, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor immediately and apply for an extension with the understanding that it may result in a reduction of grade. Gender, Language Policy As language usage changes over time, the church must discern where its own language must change in order to continue to bear witness faithfully to the gospel. Modern English usage has moved away from using masculine terms to refer to groups that include women. The continued use of such terms in worship, writing, or conversation miscommunicates the invitation of the gospel and the nature of the church. This policy refers to humankind. Examples of inclusive language for persons can be found in the NRSV and the TNIV translations. In regards to Scripture texts, the integrity of the original expressions and names of God should be respected. The language of previous eras and other authors need not be rewritten to conform to contemporary usage. It is expected that inclusive language will be used in written work, publications, and classroom conversation at Carey Theological College.

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