COURSE RATIONALE: What separates Christianity and Judaism from other religions is that their primary emphasis is on a transcendent God who reveals himself in historical events. The central concepts of religion are not mythical, theoretical, mystical, or even legal, but the mighty acts that God has done in history which objectively reveal His person, character, and will. That the Old Testament is a historically oriented work can be seen in the fact that fifteen of its books are devoted to telling the history of God's dealings with man. From this it is obvious, even to the casual observer, that history is an important aspect of Biblical religion. Christianity proclaims that this ancient story continued to unfold in the lives of Jesus and his disciples and would continue to unfold even in the lives of those believers in later generations. This course is designed to help the student understand the earliest stages of this historical process of which of which he finds himself a part.

COURSE THEME: "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will survey the Old Testament history that is contained in Genesis - II Kings. The student will be introduced to this history along with the geography, religions, culture, and archaeology of the area in which the story took place. The major points of theology that emerge through this historical process of God revealing Himself will be introduced. This is the foundational course for all other courses in the Old Testament area.

OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course the student who has applied himself should . . .

1. know the outline of Israel's history from creation to the crossing of the Red Sea. To demonstrate his mastery of this material the student should be able to . . .
 

(a) draw a time line chart with the major periods, events, and personalities in their proper Near Eastern context.
(b) locate on a map of the Old Testament the geographical location of the major cities, empires, countries, districts, bodies of water, and peoples.
(c) trace the movement of the people of God as they made their earthly journey during the various stages of history.
(d) explain the theological significance of not only the overall story, but of each period and event as well. In doing this, events such as the creation, fall of man into sin, call of Abraham, and the Exodus, the choosing of David to be king, and the Babylonian Exile will take on new significance.
(e) identify the major characters of the Old Testament story and what is was that either made them pleasing or displeasing to God.

2. know how the faith of Israel was similar to and different from the beliefs of her neighbors. The student should see . . .

(a) that there were common elements to the religions of the region. These elements included religious concepts and terminology.
(b) that there were radical conceptual differences between the religions of the area and that these differences were a major cause of the struggle that permeates the Old Testament.
(c) that there were distinctive elements to the Israelite faith.

3. see how his faith is a continuation of that revealed in the Old Testament. His perception would be that the story of his life is a part of a much larger story of God's dealing with men.

TEXTBOOK: Leon Wood, A Survey of Israel's History

AGENDA

Week 1: Introduction to the Course; What we expect on an exam.

Weeks 2_4 (Section One): An Old Testament World View; The World of the Old Testament

Weeks 5-10 (Section Two): Surveying the History
 

(1) Genesis 1_11 and Man's Earliest Ages
(2) Patriarchal Narratives: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
(3) Sojourn and Exodus
(4) Sinai: The Mountain of God
(5) Wandering in the Wilderness
(6) Conquest of the Land of Promise
(7) In the Days of the Judging of the Judges
(8) Samuel: Judge, Prophet, Priest, King Maker
(9) United Monarchy: Saul, David, Solomon
(10) Divided Monarchy

a. Civil War
b. Cooperation of North and South
c. Syrian Domination: Benhadad and Hazael
d. The Golden Age
e. Decline
f. Hezekiah's Revival, Isaiah, and the Assyrian Crisis
g. Manasseh's Apostasy
h. Josiah's Revival
i. Josiah's Sons
j. The Babylonian Captivity and Beyond

Weeks 11-15: My Favorite Texts

EVALUATION AND GRADING PROCEDURES

1. Three tests will be administered to measure a student's mastery of the history and theological issues associated with each period of the history. The student will be tested on the lectures. The three tests roughly correspond to the three sections of the Agenda.

2. The student is responsible to master the ten stories listed below. Donivan Williams will have a lecture the second period of the course on how to take tests. A page on the Biblical Department's website supplements this lecture. (www.dabar.org/Dyke/OTquiz.htm).  The stories include:

(a.) Satan Tempts Adam and Eve
(b) Jacob Tricks Esau
(c) Joseph deceives His Family into Moving to Egypt
(d) The Golden Calf Incident
(e) Balaam and His Donkey
(f) Rahab the Harlot
(g) Gideon
(h) Absalom's Rebellion
(i) Naaman the Leper
(j) Ruth the Moabitess

LATE WORK: The penalty that is assessed for late work will be based upon the reason for the tardiness, the importance of the assignment, and any other circumstances that might have bearing on the matter. Usually the maximum grade that will be given after a semester is complete is C-.

COURSE PROCEDURES: Because of the size of the class and the complexity of the material, this course will be primarily a lecture course. The professor will supplement the lectures with slide presentations, overhead transparencies, and handouts. On several occasion guest lecturers will be used to give presentations on special topics.

GRADE SCALE: A = 94_100; A_ = 90_93; B+ = 87_89; B = 84_86; B_ = 80-83; C+ = 76_79; C = 70_75; C_ = 65_69; F = 0_64

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

Anything that distracts others or detracts from the learning experience is forbidden. Common sense would indicate that this includes: 1. Reading newspapers, magazines, or mail; 2. Listening to music; 3. Talking; 4. Intentionally making noise

DRESS CODE: Attention is usually not paid to what a student wears, but if what you is against the school rules then it is against the rules. What I allow in my class is not necessarily what is allowed in someone else's class. Dress each day according to the strictest dress code of the day, which would include the hallway. More important than what we wear is how we wear it.

LEGAL MATTERS: The tests and assignments listed may be modified in the sense that the professor may choose to change the due date or cancel the assignment or test completely. No assignment will be added unless it replaces an existing assignment. Papers will be returned at the professor's discretion. Final tests will not be returned. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate all discussions of grades with the professor. If a grade is to be contested, it must be done before 5:00 P.M. on the Friday of the first week of the Fall semester of the 2000-2001 academic year.

Attendance Policy: The school attendance policy will be followed (See attached sheet).