websyllabusBIB1013

SYLLABUS FOR BIB 1013-001C
OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY
(SBU. CCTC. AUG 2000)
© 2003-2004 Southwest Baptist University

Professor: Dr. Bing B. Bayer, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew

Mailing Address: The Courts Redford College of Theology and Ministry
              Southwest Baptist University
              1600 University Avenue
              Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-1765 (office), (417) 326-2936 (home)
E-mail: bbayer@sbuniv.edu

Please read this entire syllabus. There is a "Welcome" statement at the end.

I.   Course Description

A survey of the literature, history, and theology of the Old Testament with a concern for discerning its contemporary relevance.

II.   Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course the student should be able to:

1. discuss the origin of the Old Testament books: their inspiration, canonicity, and transmission.
2. describe the ancient Near Eastern historical setting that illuminates the OT books.
3. trace the political history of Israel.
4. place the individual books into their most likely historical period.
5. describe the main interpretive problem of key books.
6. state the primary themes of each OT book
7. state the theological purpose of each OT book.
8. describe the literary features and genres in each book.
9. declare how OT books prepare for the coming of Christ.
10. discern the relevance of the OT to contemporary life
11. describe in detail the interpretation of one thought provoking passage.
12. quote fifteen OT passages accurately.

III. Course Requirements

1. Read the assigned chapters from the Bible.

2. Read the assigned pages from the textbook.

3. Demonstrate mastery of the history, literature, and theology of the OT books by taking four exams.

4. Memorize fifteen key OT passages.

5. Write a four page paper on one of the following thought provoking passages; be sure to consult at least three good Bible commentaries. The paper should be double-spaced, have a title page, and contain a bibliography of sources used. The paper is DUE PRIOR to taking the final examination. Submission should be electronic using the Send E-Mail function located at the Communication button. Send the paper as an attachment to your e-mail. In the e-mail subject line you must write: CCTCBIB1013-Paper. Also, the word processor of choice is Microsoft Word 97 or higher.

(1) There are two creation accounts—Gen. 1:1—2:3 and 2:4-25. Make a list of their similarities and differences. What is your conclusion about the relationship between these two accounts?

(2) Why was the Lord about to kill Moses? What is being “touched” and who is being cut? Check several English translations of Exodus 4:24-26.

(3) What is the nature of Jephthah’s vow in Judges 11:29-40 (that is, who/what did he sacrifice)? Which view do you hold and why?

(4) Who actually killed Goliath and what killed him? Especially read the NASV account. Read also 1 Sam. 17:41-58, 2 Sam. 21:18-22, and 1 Chron. 20:4-8.

(5) What are the behemoth and leviathan in Job 40:15-24 and 41:1-34?

(6) What are the different ways to interpret “of David” (leDavid) which is found in the titles of many Psalms? How would you argue that it means “by David”?

(7) Who are the woman and child in Isaiah 7:14? Find at least three views. What are their weaknesses and strengths?

(8) Who is the servant in Isaiah 50:1-11? Is he portrayed as a prophet or a king? When was the prophecy fulfilled?

(9) Who is the “king of Tyre” in Ezekiel 28:11-19? Name two options and their best arguments.

(10) What kind of woman did Hosea marry (Hos. 1:2-3)? Whom did he marry in Hosea 3:1-5?

(11) Interpret Amos 9:11-12? What is the “booth of David”? What does “possess” (NASV) mean? When was this fulfilled?

(12) How many prayers are mentioned in Jonah 2? When and where did Jonah pray the prayer referred to in Jonah 2:2-7? Was the fish a means of judgment or salvation?

IV. Course Evaluation

1. Grade points per task:

First Exam:	90 (plus ten additional questions)
Second Exam:	90 (plus ten additional questions)
Third Exam:	50 (plus five additional questions)
Final Exam:	110 (plus ten additional questions)
Memorization:	60 (plus thirty extra points)
Research paper:	100
TOTAL POINTS:	500

2. Clarifications:

a. Each exam will contain extra questions. For example, on exam #1 there are 100 objective questions, or ten extra questions. Your percentile score is based on using 90 as the denominator. Example: you score a 45 on the exam; your percentile score is 50%. If you get 90 of the 100 questions, your percentile score is 100%. You can find your examination scores by going to the Tools button and them clicking-on the Check Grade button. Exams are print-based an require a proctored setting. Exams are scheduled through SBU's Department of Extended Learning.

b. Memorization is tested in writing at each exam period. You will memorize verses from the NIV. Each memory verse is worth four points. Optional or bonus verses are worth two point each. Grading is based on word for word accuracy. For example, one word omitted, added, or misplaced in the sentence is ½ point off. Memory verses are listed in the Exam Memory Verses folder..

3. Grading scale.

Points	Percentage	Grade
450+	90-100	A
400+	80-89	B
350+	70-79	C
300+	60-69	D
under 300	0-59	F

V. Course Bibliography

The textbook for the course is Encountering the Old Testament (Baker Books, 1999) by Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer. This book has many helpful tools to enhance your study. The CD-Rom that comes with the textbook is very helpful because it is interactive; you can use it to see if you are grasping the main concepts. Some students find it helpful for reviewing before taking the exam. The “Summary” boxes at the end of each chapter are excellent. Also, helpful for review are the key terms and study questions listed in boxes concluding each chapter.

VI. Course Assignments

The suggested course of study is to read the appropriate chapter in the textbook, along with the biblical chapter of that biblical book, and engage the lesson appropriate to the chapter. You do not need to submit the individual chapter lessons.

Chapter = which chapter in the textbook to read, along with the chapter lesson.

B = biblical chapters of that biblical book to read

UNIT #1: Introduction and the Pentateuch
   Chapter 1: What is the OT and why study it?
   Chapter 2: Where and when did the events of the OT take place?
   Chapter 3: Introduction to the Pentateuch
   Chapter 4: Genesis 1-11   (B=1-11)
   Chapter 5: Genesis 12-50   (B=12-26)
   Chapter 6: Exodus   (B=1-24)
   Chapter 7: Leviticus   (B=1-10,16,23,25)
   Chapter 8: Numbers   (B=1-4,9-14,22-24,35)
   Chapter 9: Deuteronomy   (B=1,4-6,12,17-18,28-29,34)
   Exam #1

UNIT #2: The Historical Books
   Chapter 10: Introduction to the Historical Books
   Chapter 11: Joshua   (B=1-11,24)
   Chapter 12: Judges and Ruth   (B=2,6-8,13-16,19-21; Ruth 1-4)
   Chapter 13: 1 Samuel    (B=1-17)
   Chapter 14: 2 Samuel   (B=1-12)
   Chapter 15: 1 Kings   (B=1-12,17-18)
   Chapter 16: 2 Kings   (B=1-5,16-21,25)
   Chapter 17: 1 & 2 Chronicles   (B= 1 Chr. 1; 2 Chr. 7, 36)
   Chapter 18: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther   (B= Ezra 2, 8-10; Neh. 1-4; Esther 4,9)
   Exam#2

Unit #3: The Poetical Books
   Chapter 19: Introduction to the Poetical Books
   Chapter 20: Job   (B=1-7,28,32,38-42)
   Chapter 21: Psalms    (B=1,2,13,22,23,32,51,90,110,119,150)
   Chapter 22: Proverbs   (B=1-3,7-8,10-12,30-31)
   Chapter 23: Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs (Eccl. 1-3, 11-12; SOS 1:1—5:1)
   Exam #3

Unit #4: The Prophetic Books
   Chapter 24: Introduction to the Prophets
   Chapter 25: Isaiah 1-39 (B=1,6-11,36-39)
   Chapter 26: Isaiah 40-66 (B=40, 42, 44-45, 53, 65—66)
   Chapter 27: Jeremiah 1-20 (B=1,2,7,13,18,20)
   Chapter 28: Jeremiah 21-52 and Lamentations (Jer. 26,29,31-32,36,52 & Lam.1)
   Chapter 29: Ezekiel 1-24 (B=1-4,12,24)
   Chapter 30: Ezekiel 25-48 (B=27-28,34,36-37,40)
   Chapter 31: Daniel (B=1-7,12)
   Chapter 32: Hosea, Joel, and Amos (Hosea 1-3,11-14; Joel 2; Amos 1-2,5)
   Chapter 33: Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (Obad., Jonah 1,4; Mic. 5-6; Nah, 3; Hab. 1, Zeph. 1)
   Chapter 34: Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi (Hag. 1-2; Zech. 5,6,9,14; Mal. 1-4)
   Exam #4

Welcome to this course

Should you have questions or concerns, you may e-mail me at the address indicated at the Staff Information button. I will attempt to respond to your inquiry with 48 hours of receipt. Bless you as you study!

Now click the Course Documents button to view your course units and chapter lessons.