This course is a seven-session overview of the Old Testament. It explores the literary, historical, and theological characteristics of the Old Testament writings in order to help you better understand its structure, purpose, message, and major themes.
Instructor: Brad Pribbenow
What You Will Learn
- To name and describe the three canonical units of the Old Testament and their basic characteristics
- To explain how the Old Testament anticipates and points to the coming of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) as the fulfillment of Old Testament predictions and promises
- To read the books of the Old Testament with greater understanding of their original meaning as well as their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ
- To trust the Bible as God’s living Word, useful for “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16)
Course Objective
To equip you to read the Old Testament with greater understanding, making application to your life in a way that respects its original context and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Required Textbook
- The Bible.
Recommended Resources
- Either the ESV Lutheran Study Bible. St. Louis: Concordia, 2009 or the NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2020
- Arnold, Bill T. and Bryan E. Beyer, Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2015
Course Module Topics
- Opening Up the Ancient World of the Old Testament
- The books of the Pentateuch (Genesis – Deuteronomy)
- The Books of Covenant History (Joshua – Esther)
- The Books of the Old Testament Prophets
- The Books of Old Testament Wisdom (Proverbs – Song of Solomon)
- The Book of Psalms
- Being a Faithful Reader of the Old Testament