Old Testament Theology

Course code: BITH 610

Old Testament Theology introduces you to the nature and significance of Old Testament Theology as a sub-discipline of Biblical Theology, identifying the methodological issues, limitations, and proper objectives of the discipline. Special focus is given to the concept of covenant/promise and to the theological concepts that are specific to the Pentateuch, the Prophets, and the Writings. The relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament will be discussed as well as methods for knowing Jesus through the Old Testament.

Intended Outcomes

• Knowledge of the history, nature, and methods of Old Testament theology.
• The ability to perform biblical-theological studies of Old Testament words, books, and subjects.
• An understanding of the issues concerning the question of the center of the Old Testament, the relationship between the Old and New Testaments, and knowing Christ from the Old Testament.
• An awareness of and appreciation both the continuity and discontinuity of the Old and New Testaments.
• A confidence that the Old Testament does have one basic storyline that unites its teachings.
• A growth in your ability to perform biblical-theological studies of OT words, book, and subjects.
• A improved ability to teach or preach Old Testament Biblical Theological truths.

Assignment Overview

• Video lectures (both pre-recorded and synchronous real-time interaction via Google Hangouts) and auxiliary materials will supplement the class textbooks to insure that you are adequately exposed to the necessary information. On occasion, the professor will use a question and answer format (Socratic method) rather than lecture.
• Readings and study guides are assigned to expose students to the course content.
• Students will write papers on the relationships between historical, systematic, biblical, and practical theology and the role of the Old Testament’s law for New Testament believers. They will write a book theology for one Old Testament book and conduct a word study on one Hebrew word.