Old Testament Foundations

This course aims to present an overview of the background and contents of the books that make up the Old Testament, and to offer some reflection on the question of how they are best read together as part of the Christian canon of Scripture. It is most profitably taken in conjunction with Christian Thought and Culture I, which further explores in an extended manner how the Bible functions as an intrinsic part of the Scriptural rule of faith and life for the Christian. Lectures Include:Common, Modern Misconceptions About the Old TestamentIsrael in Geographical and Historical ContextThe Pentateuch: Who is God?The Pentateuch II: Creation and CovenantThe Pentateuch III: Law and WorshipThe Former Prophets I: People and LandThe Former Prophets II: The Kingdom of God and the Promised LandThe Latter Prophets IThe Latter Prophets I: IsaiahThe Latter Prophets II: JeremiahThe Latter Prophets II: Ezekiel and Hosea-JoelThe Latter Prophets III: Amos-NahumThe Latter Prophets III: Habakkuk-MalachiThe Writings I: God's People in ExileThe Writings II: Songs of ExileThe Writings III: Wisdom, Struggle, and the Eschaton