B8110 – Introduction to the Old Testament
Unit Code
B8110
Unit Name
Introduction to the Old Testament (postgraduate)
Unit Weighting
9 Credit Points
Type of Unit
Foundational
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 |
