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Purpose
of the Old Testament Department
Master of Divinity Required Courses
Master of Divinity Elective Courses
Master of Theology and Upper Level Master of Divinity Courses
Seminars
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Old Testament course descriptions in .pdf format (requires Adobe Acrobat
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Purpose
The goal of the Old Testament Department is
to provide the student with the necessary tools for interpreting the Old Testament
correctly. To accomplish this, four facets of Old Testament study are stressed.
First, since the Old Testament was essentially written in Hebrew, a major emphasis
is placed on Hebrew grammar. Second, instruction is given in the historical
and cultural background of the Old Testament. Third, attention is given to enabling
the student to acquire knowledge of the content of each book of the Old Testament.
These facets equip the student to do precise exegesis, and they also provide
impetus for the proper application of truth. Consequently, the fourth facet
pertains to preparing the student to preach expositionally from the Old Testament.
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Master
of Divinity Required Courses
110 Old Testament Introduction
A study of general introduction. This includes a study of the Old Testament
text and canon, archaeology, chronology, history, religion, and theology. The
intent of this course is to provide the student with a historical and theological
foundation for further Old Testament studies.
2 hours
111 Pentateuch
A study of the first five books of the Old Testament. This includes an examination
of their authorship, date, unity, and canonical status. Emphasis is also placed
upon the unifying motif of the Pentateuch, the creation account, the flood,
the origin of the nation of Israel, its religious institution, and the unfolding
of its history under Moses.
2 hours
112 Old Testament Poetic Books
A study of the key elements of Hebrew poetry, the argument of the Book of Job,
key Psalms as they relate to their literary genre, the Book of Proverbs as it
relates to skillful living, the message of Ecclesiastes, an interpretation of
the Song of Solomon, and the Book of Lamentations.
2 hours
121 Elementary Hebrew Grammar
A study of the essential elements of biblical Hebrew grammar. The intent of
this course is to focus on the basic principles of Hebrew phonology, morphology,
syntax, and vocabulary.
4 hours
122 Elementary Hebrew Grammar
A continuation of the study of elementary Hebrew grammar. This course reinforces
and expands on this with emphasis being placed on reading selected portions
of the Hebrew Bible. A minimum grade of “C” in 121 is a prerequisite
for 122.
4 hours
123 Old Testament Historical Books
A synthetic handling of the Old Testament Historical Books beginning with Joshua
and the conquest and ending with the postexilic period of Ezra, Nehemiah, and
Esther. Items such as an author’s overall purpose and the basic flow of
the biblical material as well as historical, theological, and textual problems
are covered.
2 hours
124 Old Testament Prophets
A study of the Old Testament prophetic literature, including a consideration
of Israelite prophetism within the ancient near eastern milieu. Emphasis is
given to the theme and argument of each prophetic book as well as key theological
issues. The student is made aware of the important literature pertaining to
this portion of Scripture.
2 hours
131 Hebrew Syntax and Reading
A course designed to integrate Hebrew reading and syntax. This course provides
advanced instruction in Hebrew syntax and applies this through reading selected
portions from various genres in the Hebrew Bible. Attention is also given to
developing and strengthening the student’s Hebrew vocabulary.
4 hours
132 Hebrew Exegetical Methods
A study of the various aspects of the Hebrew exegetical process. This course
is designed to acquaint the student with this exegetical methodology as applied
to selected literary genres. The results of this are developed in an exegetical
paper. Hebrew Syntax and Reading (131) and Old Testament Introduction (110)
are prerequisites.
2 hours
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Master
of Divinity Elective Courses
101 Genesis: English Bible
A study of the Book of Genesis. Emphasis is given to introductory matters as
well as the development of the message of the book and the key issues, especially
the creation account in Genesis 1 and the Abrahamic Covenant. Attention is also
focused upon the theological content of the book.
2 hours
102 Leviticus: English Bible
A study of the Book of Leviticus, with emphasis given to Israel’s sacrificial,
Levitical, priestly, and festival complex. Other material from the Pentateuch
is used as it helps in the elucidation of the text. Emphasis is also placed
on the theological significance of this book.
2 hours
103 Joshua and Judges: English Bible
A study of the conquest of Palestine, tribal allotments, and subsequent apostasies
and deliverances of Israel from the crossing of the Jordan to the monarchy.
Historical and chronological factors are brought in.
2 hours
104 Job: English Bible
A study of the Book of Job, with emphasis given to introductory matters as well
as the development of the message of the book and the key issues. Attention
is also given to the theological content of the book.
2 hours
105 Proverbs: English Bible
A study is made of biblical wisdom literature, especially as it is found in
the Book of Proverbs. Emphasis is placed primarily upon the ethical demands
of a holy God upon his people.
2 hours
106 Isaiah: English Bible
An analytical study of Isaiah from the English Bible with special attention
given to the eschatological and Messianic sections of the book.
2 hours
107 Daniel: English Bible
An analysis of the Book of Daniel is made, with particular concentration upon
the prophetic portions of the book. The course is designed to enable the student
to gain a better perspective of God’s plans for Israel and the nations
in light of Israel’s disobedience.
2 hours
108 Obadiah and Micah: English Bible
A study of the Books of Obadiah and Micah. The intent of this course is to examine
the introductory issues and to develop the message of each book. Attention is
also given to the theological content of each work.
2 hours
109 Haggai and Malachi: English Bible
A study of the Books of Haggai and Malachi. The intent of this course is to
examine the introductory issues and to develop the message of each book. Attention
is also given to the theological content of each work.
2 hours
113 History of Israel
A survey of the history of God’s chosen nation, its contact with heathen
peoples, its great leaders, and the place of the prophets in the national picture.
The course includes a study of Old Testament chronology, beginning with the
call of Abram and ending with the Persian period.
2 hours
114 United Monarchy
A study of I and II Samuel and I Kings 1–11 built around the leading personalities
of Samuel, Saul, David, and Solomon. Historical and theological matters are
especially noted.
2 hours
115 Divided Monarchy
A study of Old Testament history from the death of Solomon to the Babylonian
Exile, covering the kings of the northern and southern kingdoms in Israel. The
material of Kings and Chronicles as well as archaeological matters are studied.
2 hours
116 Exile and Restoration
The history of Israel from Josiah through Nehemiah (640 – 400 b.c.). Ezra,
Nehemiah, and Esther are studied along with historical material from Ezekiel,
Jeremiah, and Psalms.
2 hours
117 Bible Geography
The purpose of this course is to give a solid introduction to the geography
of the east and west Jordan regions along with biblically historical highlights.
The student should conclude with a good knowledge of the geographical zones
of these regions along with an understanding of the major cities and events
of the areas. Other Bible lands, such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and Syria
are covered in the reading for the course.
2 hours
118 Ecclesiastes: English Bible
An expositional study of the Book of Ecclesiastes, with attention given to such
introductory issues as the integrity, structure, and canonicity of the book.
The primary intent of this course is to develop the message of Ecclesiastes.
2 hours
119 Jonah and Nahum: English Bible
A study of the Books of Jonah and Nahum. The intent of this course is to examine
the introductory issues and develop the message of each book. Attention is also
given to the theological content of each work.
2 hours
120 Habakkuk and Zephaniah: English
Bible
A study of the Books of Habakkuk and Zephaniah. The intent of this course is
to examine the introductory issues and to develop the message of each book.
Attention is also given to the theological content of each work.
2 hours
121 Zechariah: English Bible
A study of the Book of Zechariah. The intent of this course is to examine the
introductory issues and to develop the message of this book. Attention is also
given to its theological content.
2 hours
125 Biblical Creationism
A study of biblical Creationism. Emphasis will be given to God’s supernatural
creation of the universe in six successive days, the significance of the Fall
to creationism, and the Noahic Flood and its extensive effects on the world.
2 hours
126 Understanding the Psalms
A course designed to assist in developing a greater appreciation for the Old
Testament worship manual, the Psalms. This course looks at the historical development
and the organization of the Psalter. It also aims to use the various literary
genres found in the Psalms as paradigms for further study and worshipful reading
in the book of Psalms.
2 hours
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Master
of Theology and Upper Level Master of Divinity Courses
141 Old Testament Theology I
A systematic study of the doctrines of the Old Testament from the standpoint
of the Old Testament saint. New Testament extrapolations and inferences are
avoided as much as possible. The doctrines covered are Introduction, Revelation,
Inspiration, God, Man, Sin, Salvation, and the Spirit World.
2 hours
142 Old Testament Theology II
A systematic study of the Old Testament doctrines of Worship, Prophetism, Kingdom
of God, Messiah, and Eschatology.
2 hours
143 Biblical Aramaic
A study of the grammar of Aramaic is made, and the Aramaic portions of Daniel
and Ezra are translated.
2 hours
144 Ugaritic
An introduction to the language and literature of ancient Ugarit. The relationship
and contribution of such study to the Old Testament will be emphasized.
2 hours
146 Messianic Prophecy
An examination of messianic prophecies in light of progressive revelation. This
course is a diachronic study which traces the development of messianism and
involves an exegesis of key Old Testament passages. This course also includes
an examination of germane New Testament references.
2 hours
147 Old Testament Textual Criticism
A study of the history of the Hebrew text. Emphasis is given to understanding
major text types, their histories, and their value in textual criticism and
to examining the significance of ancient versions in textual criticism. Emphasis
is placed on developing a methodology for doing Old Testament textual criticism.
2 hours
148 Research in the Old Testament
Guided research in some area of Old Testament studies involving reading and
evaluation of important elements of the literature in the field (2,000 pages
minimum) and the writing of a scholarly research paper (40 pages minimum). All
work for the class must be completed in the semester in which it is begun. A
class begun in summer school must be completed by the beginning of the following
fall semester.
2 hours
149 Rapid Hebrew Reading
A course designed to increase the student’s ability in translating the
Hebrew text. Emphasis is given to translating extended sections from various
genres found in the Old Testament. Attention is also given to learning all words
that occur ten or more times in the Hebrew text.
2 hours
150 Holy Land Tour
A study tour of the Holy Land. This tour highlights selected biblical sites
and is designed to integrate Scripture with biblical geography, archaeology,
and history.
2 hours
EXEGESIS CLASSES:
In the following courses the various aspects of the exegetical process are applied
to sections of the Hebrew Old Testament. In each of these emphasis is placed
on the development of the message of the book. Prerequisite: 131 and 132.
151
Hebrew Exegesis of Esther 2 hours
152 Hebrew Exegesis of Job 2 hours
153 Hebrew Exegesis of Ecclesiastes 2 hours
154 Hebrew Exegesis of Isaiah 40–53 2 hours
155 Hebrew Exegesis of Hosea 2 hours
156 Hebrew Exegesis of Joel, Obadiah, and Zephaniah 2 hours
157 Hebrew Exegesis of Amos 2 hours
158 Hebrew Exegesis of Micah 2 hours
159 Hebrew Exegesis of Nahum and Habakkuk 2 hours
160 Hebrew Exegesis of Haggai and Malachi 2 hours
161 Hebrew Exegesis of Zechariah 2 hours
162 Hebrew Exegesis of Jonah and Ruth 2 hours
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Seminars
741
Seminar in Old Testament Theology
Old Testament topics of practical and theological significance are selected
for thorough investigation.
2 hours
744 Seminar on Old Testament Problem Texts
Difficult passages in Scripture are examined and the various views of their
interpretation are analyzed and evaluated. Emphasis is placed upon the relationship
between the student’s conclusions concerning the passage and relevant
doctrines.
2 hours
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