WESTERN SEMINARY

Portland, Oregon 97215

BLS 501 and BLS 511 (Genesis ‑ Song of Solomon)

Fall Semester, 2003

J. Carl Laney, Th.D.

Course Purpose

This course is designed to help the student know the major theme and developments within biblical history and to understand the "big picture" of God's redemptive program.

Course Description

This course in Biblical Literature lays a foundation for further study of the Bible by introducing the biblical covenants and God's kingdom program. Our examination of the Pentateuch will focus on the great attributes of God. The historical books will show how God works among His people. We will conclude with a consideration of the practical lessons found in the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Four semester hours credit.

Course Goals and Objectives

1. The student will have a meaningful experience in studying God's Word and grow spiritually.

To achieve this goal we will give attention to the practical application of biblical principles, practicing the "the fear of the Lord."

2. The student will acquire a biblical foundation in terms of synthesis and analysis upon which to build a future ministry.

To achieve this goal we will engage in Bible study through synthesis and analysis. The study questions will provide opportunity to apply these Bible study skills.

3. The student will master the basic content of each book studied.

To achieve this goal, the student will learn the theme, purpose, theological contribution and contemporary relevance of each book.

4. The student will know the major themes and developments in God's plan for the ages.

To accomplish this, the student will be able to define what is meant by "the kingdom of God" and describe how the foundation for an understanding of this theme is established in the Pentateuch and historical books.

The student will also be able to explain the beginnings of God's redemptive program, the place and purpose of the law in the religious life and society of believing Israel, and describe how people were saved in the Old Testament economy.

5. The student will know the basic framework and major developments within biblical history.

To accomplish this goal the student will be able to outline the history of the period noting key dates (2166, 1876, 1446, 1406, 1375, 1050, 970, 966, 931, 722, 701, 586, 473).

6. The student will become familiar with the literature of the books studied in this course.

To accomplish this goal the student will be able to identify (1) the major elements of the covenant form (suzerain-vassal treaty), (2) the various categories of the psalms and types of Hebrew parallelism, (3) the distinctive features of Hebrew Wisdom literature and explain what is meant by "the fear of the Lord."

Course Texts

Required: The New American Standard Bible

Robert Hughes and J. Carl Laney, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary

Helpful: J. Carl Laney, Answers to Tough Questions

J. Carl Laney, Concise Bible Atlas

Course Requirements - BLS 501

1. Maintain a record of your reading and report it on the last day of classes for the semester, Friday, December 12th.

Required reading includes selections of Genesis through the Song of Solomon (see reading report for assigned chapters), the class handouts, and the Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary (Introduction and Introductory sections, pp xiii-251). Estimated time: 60 hours..

2. Complete preparation for each class. Preparation includes reading the Scripture section, the class notes, and writing a brief response to the study questions. A check list will be provided to record your preparation. The check list must be turned in at our last class meeting, Friday, December 12th

3. Participate in four take‑home Bible Reviews which will help you prepare for the Final Exam. To receive full credit for the Bible Reviews, they must be turned in within the week after they are distributed. The final exam will be taken on December 12th. Estimated time: 5 hrs for each Review and 10 hours for the Final.

4. Complete a course project designed to accommodate the educational needs and specific interests of the student. An introduction and outline is due October 10th. The completed project is due November 26th. There are three approaches you can take on this project.

Expositional: Prepare an exposition of a biblical text. Suggested texts include Gen. 12:1-3, Exodus 34:1-8, Joshua 1:5-9, or Psalm 1. In addition to your careful explanation of the text, making some reference to the Hebrew original, demonstrate it's relevance and practical application. Suggested length: 10-12 pages.

Educational: Prepare a lecture or Bible study. The lecture should include an outline of the text, comments, treatment of problem issues, visuals, and application. Prepare material suitable for a 50 minute presentation.

Academic: Write a research paper or exegesis of a biblical passage. This project should take you to the library resources and consult the journals and commentaries. Your presentation should follow the academic style of journal articles. Be sure to include footnotes and a bibliography. Suggested length: 10-12 pages.

Whatever approach you choose, your paper must include an introduction, an outline of the biblical text, a summary statement of the biblical principles or truths discovered in your text, a discussion of the practical application of the text, documentation of quotes and references and a bibliography of resources on the text or subject you have written about.

This project is worth 40 points total, including the introduction and outline. The highest grades will be reserved for the top papers which are clearly exceptional. All late papers (no exceptions) will be reduced by 20% (8 points). Papers over a week late will be reduced another 10% (4 points).

Evaluation

Course grading will be done on a point and percentage system.

Project: 40% Bible Reviews: 40% Final: 10% Preparation: 10%

100-93 = A 92-86 = B 85-79 = C 78-70 = D

Reading: The student is required to complete all the assigned reading. Failure to complete the reading will result in a reduction of your semester grade one grade level.

Late Work: Students are expected to submit their Bible reviews on the date due, one week after they are distributed. All late Bible Reviews will be penalized by a 10% reduction of the maximum possible points.

Incompletes: According to Western Seminary policy, in cases of serious illness or family emergency an instructor may grant an incomplete providing a maximum extension of six weeks to finish the semester's work. Incompletes are not granted for reasons of a student=s inability to manage their time. The granting of an incomplete does not remove the penalties for late work.

Attendance: It is expected that the students will be in attendance for all class sessions to benefit from the lecture, discussion, and visual presentations. While sickness or family emergency may keep a student from an occasional class, those who are regularly tardy or absent can expect this to be reflected in their semester grade.

Course Schedule (Reading to be completed in preparation for class lecture)

Date Lecture Text Lecture Topic

September 3 Gen. 1‑2 God's Plan; Creation

September 5 Gen. 3-11 Fall, Flood, Covenant

September 10 Gen. 12‑50 Themes of Genesis

September 12 Exod. 1‑15 The Exodus & Passover

September 17 Exod. 19‑24 The Mosaic Covenant

September 19 Exod. 25‑27, 32‑34 The Tabernacle

September 24 Lev. 1‑11 Sacrifice & Separation

September 26 Lev. 16‑23 Holy Convocations

October 1 Num. 1‑6, 13‑14 Wilderness & wrath

October 3 Num. 22‑25 Balaam Oracles

Bible Review: Gen‑Num (Distributed)

October 8 Deut. 1‑6, 27‑30 Laws and Decisions

October 10 Joshua 1‑12,24 The Conquest

Introduction & Outline Due

October 15 Judges 1-12 Cycles of Apostasy

October 17 Judges 13‑21, Ruth A Pearl in the Swine Pen

October 22 1 Samuel 1-15, 31, Rise of the Monarchy (Samuel & Saul)

October 24 1 Samuel 16-17, David

2 Samuel 1-12 Bible Review: Deut-Sam (Distributed)

October 29 1 Kings 1‑10 Solomon

October 31 1 K 11‑12, 17‑20 Divided Monarchy (Elijah and Elisha)

November 5 2 Kings 17‑25 Solitary Monarchy

November 7 Ezra 1‑6 1st Return from Exile

Ezra 7‑10 2nd Return from Exile

November 12 Esther Preservation in Exile

1 & 2 Chronicles Lessons from Chronicles

November 14 Nehemiah Rebuilding Jerusalem

Psalm 1 Introduction to Wisdom

Bible Review: Kings‑Esther (Distributed)

November 19 Job 1‑2 Job's Tragedy

Job 3‑14, 32-42 Job's Struggle & Triumph

November 21 Psalms 1-24, 51 Categories of the Psalms

November 26 Psalms 93-124, 139 Praise!

Project Due

November 28 Thanksgiving - No Class!

December 3 Proverbs 1‑10 Successful Living

December 5 Proverbs 11-31 Probing Proverbs

Bible Review: Job-Song (Distributed)

December 10 Ecclesiastes Coping With Life's Frustrations

December 12 Song of Solomon Lessons on Love

Final Exam (1 hour)

Class Preparation Checklist Due

Reading Report Due

Reference and Resource Works

Pentateuch and Historical Books

Avi‑Yonah and Aharoni, The Macmillan Bible Atlas

F. F. Bruce, Israel and the Nations

William Dyrness, Themes in Old Testament Theology

Larry R. Helyer, Yesterday, Today and Forever

Walter C. Kaiser, Toward An Old Testament Theology

_______________, ed. Classical Evangelical Essays

J. Carl Laney, First and Second Samuel

_______________, Ezra-Nehemiah

_______________, Answers to Tough Questions

_______________, Concise Bible Atlas

Eugene H. Merrill, Kingdom of Priests.

James B. Pritchard, The Ancient Near East

Leon Wood, A Survey of Israel's History (revised ed.)

Poetic and Wisdom Literature

Ronald B. Allen, Praise!, When Song is New & Lord of Song

James B. Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom

J. Carl Laney, Everything I know about Success

Gerhard von Rad, Wisdom in Israel

Claus Westermann, Praise and Lament in the Psalms