The Christian and the Old Testament

Western Seminary, Portland, OR

Dr. John H. Sailhamer

Visiting from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The Old Testament, the first three quarters of the Bible, is gospel. For many Christians it remains a closed book, unexplored territory, full of bewildering details. So the gospel is truncated, robbed of much of its power. In this course we will explore the Old Testament as a whole. The most important feature for the Christian is the way it depicts the nature of our relationship with God.

COURSE AIMS:

-- The student will know the basic structure and shape of the Old Testament books and how that effects their meaning.

-- The student will understand the central themes that unite the Old Testament books.

-- The student will know and understand 10 key questions facing the Christian reader of the Old Testament.

COURSE TEXTBOOKS:

John H. Sailhamer, Introduction to the Old Testament, A Canonical Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.

Class Notes on the Theology of the Pentateuch.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

ATTENDANCE -- Students are encouraged to attend every class.

TEXTBOOK READING -- The student must read the required text before the first day of class.

QUIZZES -- A brief quiz over the assigned reading as explained in class will be given at the beginning of each class period, beginning with the second day of class.

EXAMINATION -- There will be an exam on the last day of class covering the content of the reading, lectures and class discussion

PAPER -- 10-page paper on the topic of “the Christian and the Old Testament” This paper will be due in the seminary office August 4. There will be no extensions allowed because of the deadline for submission of summer grades.