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Old Testament SurveyIntroduction to the Old Testament
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Course ObjectivesAt the end of this course, students should be
able to
Communicate Gods overall purpose and plan for humanityas
revealed in the Old Testament.
Trace the broad narrative plotline of the Old Testament as
itpertains to Gods plan.
Identify the different genres of writing in the Old Testamentand
the significance thereof.
Summarize the author, purpose, and major themes of eachOld
Testament book.
Effectively apply the theological principles communicated inthe
Old Testament to their own lives and present-daysituations.
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Reading the Old
Testament
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The Big Picture The Old Testament is
fundamentally one big story.
Through this story, God revealsHimself and His plans for
creation.
Central Themes:
The Kingdom of God
The Presence of God
Fall and Restoration
The Covenant
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The Big PictureDont
Focus on isolated stories or
verses.
Focus on individual heroes as
role models.
Try to force new lessons or
insights for every story.
Do
Focus on complete passages
or whole books.
Remember that God is the
ultimate hero of every story.
Ask yourself, What does this
passage reveal about God andHis plan?
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The PentateuchThe first five books of the Bible:
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
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The Pentateuch Technically, all one book (See Exodus 1)
=
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Authorship Traditional View: Moses
Exodus 24:4--Moses then wrote down everything the
Lord had said. Numbers 33:2--At the Lords command Moses
recorded the stages in their journey.
Matthew 8:4--Then Jesus said to him, See that you
dont tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest
and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony
to them. (Compare Leviticus 14)
Romans 10:5--Moses describes in this way the
righteousness that is by the law: The man who does
these things will live by them. (Compare Lev. 18:5)
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Authorship Questions about Mosaic Authorship
Genesis 14:14--When Abram heard that his relative
had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trainedmen born in
his household and went in pursuit as far
as Dan.
Deuteronomy 34--Story of Moses death
The Evangelical View
Moses wrote the majority of the Pentateuch
After Moses, the Pentateuch was edited for clarity
Both Moses and the later editors wrote under the
inspiration of God.
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Authorship Liberal View: Documentary Hypothesis
Jehovist (Yahwist)
Elohist Deuteronomic
Priestly
Based on a rejection of the existence of God
Fulfilled prophecy is impossible
