B7110 Introduction to the Old Testament

Prerequisites, corequisites or exclusions

Nil

Academic Staff

Rev. Dr. Paul Fanous BSc (UNSW), MBBS, FRACGP, (USyd), MTh (University of Newcastle), DMin (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary)

Curriculum Objectives

This course unit aims to introduce students to the literary forms, historical and cultural contexts and theological themes of the Old Testament. It seeks to provide a foundation for further biblical and theological study.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a general understanding of the overall structure and contents of the old testament.

2.Identify the literary shape, themes, social and historical background of the individual books of the Old testament.

3.Employ critical methodologies in the interpretation of Old Testament texts.

4.Access secondary literature.

5. Convey the relevance of the Old Testament to Christian life and the contemporary world.

During this course unit, students may acquire the following threshold concept. This concept is fundamental to a proper understanding of the unit or course. It is essential for further progress in the discipline. It is often troublesome for students. The books of the Old Testament are works of literature ,written and received in a particular historical period, for a distinct religious purpose

Content

1. Texts of the Old Testament

2. Introduction to the Canon

3. Biblical Archaeology and Geography of Old times.

4. Introductory Questions of the Old Testament

5. Structure and Outline of the major books of the Old Testament

6. Literary Genres of the Old Testament Literature

7. Key theological themes of the Old Testament collection

8. Critical approaches to the Old Testament interpretation

UNIT WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Week 1	Introduction to the unit: Canons, Traditions, People and Land
Week 2	Biblical interpretation in ancient and modern times
Week 3	Prehistory and the patriarchs – Book of Genesis
Week 4	The Sinai encounter – Israel in the wilderness
Week 5	In the Promised Land – Israel among the Canaanites
Week 6	The united kingship; the Temple and worship
Week 7	Divided kingdoms and the rise of the prophets
Week 8	Responses to crisis: the last days of Judah; Deuteronomy and Jeremiah
Week 9	Israel in exile; religious responses; Ezekiel and Isaiah
Week 10	The return, the Second Temple, and the rise of Judaism
Week 11	Wisdom tradition in the age of Hellenization; the rise of apocalypticism
Week 12	Judaism before the birth of Christ; the OT in Orthodox Christianity