Subject Description

An introduction to the historical and theological background of the Old Testament, with a study of the period from Creation to the beginning of the prophetic movement in the time of Samuel down to Elijah in the ninth century B.C.

Subject Content

There are seven topics spread over thirteen lessons:

1. Creation with special reference to Genesis 1-3
   • Lesson 1: Creation as Prelude (1)
   • Lesson 2: Creation as Prelude (2)
2. Patriarchal Faith and Religion
   • Lesson 3: The Patriarchs and the Ancient World
   • Lesson 4: The Patriarchal Faith
3. The Exodus and the Sinai Covenant
• Lesson 5: Exodus Faith and Sinai Covenant
4. Conquest and Settlement
   • Lesson 6: Conquest
   • Lesson 7: Settlement and the Period of the Judges
5. The rise of the monarchy and the covenant with David
   • Lesson 8: The End of the Tribal League, and the Rise of Saul
   • Lesson 9: The Reign of David and the Making of the Covenant
6. Solomon and the division of the kingdom
   • Lesson 10: Solomon and his Achievements
   • Lesson 11: Solomon's Unpopular Measures and the Division of the Kingdom
7. The origins of the prophetic movement: Elijah
   • Lesson 12: The Rise of the Prophetic Movement
   • Lesson 13: The Ministry of Elijah and Elisha

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the subject, students should:

• (a) be able to locate the major events of the Old Testament in their proper historical context.
• (b) be able to explain the important contribution which Genesis 1-3 makes to the Bible.
• (c) be able to explain the importance of Abraham's call at Genesis 12:1-3 for the Old Testament.
• (d) be able to identify and explain the significance of the event of the Exodus and the Sinai Covenant.
• (e) be able to explain the importance of the Conquest and Settlement.
• (f) be able to explain the rise of the monarchy and its division after Solomon
• (g) be able to explain the rise of the prophetic movement and the importance of Elijah

Asessment

Assessment for BMin and BTh students:

i) Completion of Exercises for each topic (10%)
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iii) Essay of 2000 words essay on a set topic (30%)
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iv) One two-hour written examination (60%).
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Assessment for GDA / M.A. / M.Div students:

i) Completion of Exercises for each topic (10%)
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iii) Essay of 2500 words on a set topic (40%)
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iv) One two-hour written examination (50%)
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Textbooks

Textbooks

• Bright, John, A History of Israel (4th Edition) ( John Knox Press, Louisville) 2000

This book covers almost the entire syllabus, although it will need to be supplemented by other reading.

To order books through the BCV Bookshop fill out the following email order:
mailto:distance@bcv.vic.edu.au

Highly Recommended

The following are highly recommended for the distance student and should be purchased if possible:

• LaSor, W.S., Hubbard, D.A., Bush F.W., Old Testament Survey (2nd Edition) Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996
• Dumbrell, W.J., The Faith of Israel (2nd Edition) Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002.
• Anderson, B.W., The Living World of the Old Testament (4th Edition) Essex: Longman, 1988

Other Recommended Texts

• Hill, A.E., Walton, J.H., A Survey of the Old Testament (2nd Edition) (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000).
• Dillard, R.B., Longman 111, T., An Introduction to the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994)
• Drane, J., Introducing the Old Testament (Oxford: Lion, 1987).