Designed to provide the student with a general introduction to the historical, sociological and religious world in which the Old Testament was produced, as well as the discipline of Old Testament theology and the major theological emphases of the Old Testament. Recommended prerequisite: BIBL 0501.

A study of introductory issues related to the prophetic books of the Old Testament. Traces the theological themes and progression of thought in several representative prophetic books. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

A literary and theological study of the wisdom literature in the Old Testament (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes) with special focus on the place of wisdom in Old Testament theology, Wisdom theology, reading and interpretive strategies, Wisdom genres and the theological message of each book. The overall objective is to appropriate the collective message of the wisdom books to contemporary social and ecclesiastical context. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

A survey of the first five books of the Bible with reference to their cultural background, historical context and the history of interpretation. Emphasis is placed on the theme of each book and the Pentateuch’s significance of the collection for Old Testament interpretation in general. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

An exegetical and theological study of selected texts from the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. Attention will be devoted to the historical, sociological and cultural contexts of the various books, and their contemporary relevance. Special topics include the use of the Minor Prophets in the NT, and the study of the Twelve as a single corpus. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

Relates the history of God’s people from David to the Exile. Students will read the Books of Kings to discover their thematics, structure and especially the theological messages communicated through the period of the monarchy. Critical issues, particularly the scholarly discussion concerning the rise and place of the monarchy, will be addressed. Students will gain an appreciation for the skillful theological production of these narratives and their importance to the larger canonical text. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501.

Among the least read (and most misunderstood) books in the Old Testament are 1 & 2 Chronicles. Yet, we will discover in this course that this material has a vital message for the church and academia today. As the last books of the entire Hebrew Bible, Chronicles is uniquely positioned to provide what a prominent scholar refers to as “one of the richest mines of spirituality in all Scripture.” The post-exilic period, when Chronicles was composed, witnessed the production of new kinds of literary and theological works. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501.

Same as NEWT 0541.

Directed Reading and Research (DRR) courses allow students to study in a specific area of interest not addressed by the scheduled course offerings. Permission required.

What did it mean to be a woman during Old Testament times? In order to gain theological insight into the Bible’s portrayal of women, we examine key Old Testament passages against the background of ancient Israelite society. Contemporary issues surrounding the significance of these texts are discussed, including feminist interpretations. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501.

An introduction to the basic principles of biblical Hebrew with emphasis on morphology, phonology and syntax.

The continuation of OLDT 0611 Hebrew Grammar I, including some reading of selected portions of the Hebrew Old Testament. Prerequisite: OLDT 0611.

A literary, interpretive and theological study of the book of Daniel with special focus on the apocalyptic genre, the sociohistorical milieu of the apocalyptic movement, the employment of different reading strategies and guidelines for interpretation. Using specific examples, the ultimate goal is to provide tools and ideas for appropriating the message of Daniel to our postmodern human and ecclesiastical context. Students are encouraged to engage themselves in bridging the two worlds, the biblical world and the world of today by paying due attention to the timely and timeless aspects of the text. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

Gives an overview of the message of Isaiah in light of the historical and literary setting of the book and the experience of Israel. Special emphasis will be placed on the call of the prophet, the messianic passages, the concept of the remnant, the servant songs and the prophet’s teaching on social justice. The message of the book will be studied with the goal of making the teachings of Isaiah applicable to the life of the church today. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

A study of the Book of Genesis with special emphasis on the narrative of Hebrew literature, the unfolding of the divine promise of redemption, as well as a chapter-by-chapter examination of the text and its key exegetical issues. Attention will be given to the theological emphases of the book and its relevance in the contemporary world. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

A literary and theological study of the books of 1 & 2 Samuel accomplished through a close reading of the text with examination of key exegetical issues. Samuel not only provides a historical record of the transition from the time of the Judges to the establishment of the monarchy, it also displays the breadth and depth of the creativity and artistry of Hebrew Biblical narrative as a literary genre. Through the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David, theology concerning our relationships with God and others will be examined. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

An exegetical and thematic study of selected texts from the Book of Jeremiah. Attention will be devoted to reading through historical and cultural contexts, through critical lenses (such as trauma/disaster, postcolonial, and feminist approaches), and in incorporating global voices, past and present. The primary goal of the course will be to provide the student with a foundation for further study and application within the church. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

An introduction to the Psalms and its theology. The main theological themes of the Psalms and the different Psalm types will be studied. Consideration will be given to the Psalms’ historical and cultural contexts. The relevance of the Psalms to Christian faith and the life of the church will be examined. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

What is God’s message to his people in Exile? How does he reveal himself to a people whose lives have been changed forever because of their rebellion against God? Focuses on the message given to the prophet Ezekiel in a time of national and personal crisis. Key passages and themes will be studied in order to understand the overall message and revelation of God in the book. Emphasis will be placed on the book’s relevance and the applicability of its theology for the church. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

A study of the book of Job with a special focus on its literary features, theological message and contemporary relevance. Different reading strategies proposed to deal with the apparent tensions inherent in the work will be examined. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

Provides an in-depth overview of the key topics, themes, and theological emphases of the book of Deuteronomy. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of interpreting individual passages in light of the narrative setting of Deuteronomy, the genre of the individual passage, and relevant background material from both the Old Testament and the Ancient Near East. The overarching goal, however, will be to see how Deuteronomy was shaped to function as Scripture for its early readers and to see how it can function relevantly as Christian Scripture for the church today. Recommended: BIBL 0501.

Narrative is a primary literary genre within the Hebrew Bible. This course will examine the creativity, artistry, and literary features characteristic of Hebrew narrative using texts like the book of Ruth and the Joseph story as case studies. Students will gain an understanding of how theology is communicated through the content and composition of Hebrew narrative and an appreciation of the relevance of narrative to contemporary Christian life and teaching/preaching ministry. Knowledge of Biblical Hebrew is beneficial but not essential. Prerequisite: BIBL 0501. Recommended: OLDT 0511.

Examination of specific topics in the Old Testament.

Through the in-depth study of selected passages of Biblical Hebrew Narrative, students will learn various foundational methods essential for OT exegesis. While geared toward teaching and preaching, the course also provides the student with a solid foundation for further advanced academic study. Prerequisites: BIBL 0501 and OLDT 0612.