Details for Introduction to the Old Testament

This paper provides students with the foundational skills of interpreting the Old Testament Scriptures and identifying basic themes and values.

Awards offering Introduction to the Old Testament

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Certificate in Christian Ministries (Level 4)

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This paper provides students with the foundational skills of interpreting the Old Testament Scriptures and identifying basic themes and values. 

The paper Introduction to the Old Testament is part of the subject area Biblical Studies and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Certificate in Christian Ministries (Level 4) (New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)).

Outcomes

By the end of this paper students should be able to:

1. Understand the overall structure, events and themes of the Old Testament;
2. Describe the principles of the Old Testament for Christian readers.
3. Demonstrate skills in Old Testament exegesis;
4. Communicate the relevance of the Old Testament to Christian life and the contemporary world

Subject Content

• Introduction to the Old Testament
• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
• Taking and Living the Land 
• Judges and Ruth
• 1 & 2 Samuel, Kings and Chronicles
• Isaiah, Hosea, Amos and Micah
• Jeremiah and Ezekiel
• Obadiah, Jonah and Micah
• Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, Psalms
• Job and Psalms 
• Proverbs, Ecclesiastes
• Exile and Back
• Ezra, Nehemiah

Prescribed Text

Grey. J., Them, Us & Me: How the Old Testament Speaks to People Today. Sydney: Sydney College of Divinity, 2008.

AND 

Fee, G.D. & Stuart, D. How to Read the Bible Book by Book. Zondervan, 2002

Representative References

Arnold, B.T. & Beyer, B.E. Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey. Grand Rapids:  Baker, 1999.

Brueggemann, W. An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Canon and Christian Imagination.  Louisville:  Westminster John Knox Press, 2003.

Childs, B.S.  Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2010.

Fee, G.D. & Stuart, D.  How to Read the Bible Book by Book.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan, 2002.

Grey, J.  Them, Us and Me:  How the Old Testament Speaks to People Today. Sydney:  Sydney College of Divinity, 2008

LaSor, William Sandford, et.al.  Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form and Background of the Old Testament.  Grand Rapids:  Eerdmans, 1996.