BibleJourney Old Testament 101
The Mission of God’s Covenant Nation:
Historical and Poetic Books
(Joshua – 1 Kings 10; Job – Ecclesiastes)
Guide:
Dr. Tim Laniak
Teaching Assistant:
Erin James (ejames@gordonconwell.edu)
Online Version
January 25 – April 9, 2016
Dates and Times:
This course is Part 2 of a 3-part sequence that will tour the entire Old Testament. OT101 (The
Five Books of Moses) is available on demand online. OT103 on the Prophetic and Restoration
books will be released later in the Spring.
Those interested may register for some or all of the courses; there are no prerequisites.
However, it is strongly recommended that they engage in the whole journey through the Old
Testament and then continue through the New Testament the following year.
Registration:
Registration for courses is required. Please visit our web site or contact Michelle Littlejohn at
dlittlejohn@gordonconwell.edu or 704-527-9909, for more information. Those interested may
sign up either as participants (those who access the recorded presentations for personal
enrichment only) or as credit students (those who turn in weekly assignments and may receive
credit toward a seminary certificate). Students are required to participate in discussions with
the Teaching Assistant and other students in this course.
Participants will be given a username and password to be able to access recorded
presentations on-demand after registration.
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Students will be given access to Gordon-Conwell’s learning management system, Sakai, in
order to access recorded presentations, download and submit course materials, engage with
fellow students and Teaching Assistant(s), etc.
Certification:
Credit students who meet all of the requirements for the complete 6-course sequence in Old
and New Testaments are eligible to receive a Certificate in Biblical Literacy. This certificate will
exempt those interested in any masters or other certificate program at the seminary from OT
and NT Survey courses.
Note: The cost of the 6-course sequence is about the cost of one graduate level course.
Therefore, students completing the Certificate in Biblical Literacy will have taken two courses
for the price of one.
BibleJourney also offers two courses to supplement the training of Bible teachers. Interpreting
the Bible equips students with practical skills for interpreting every genre of the Bible. Teaching
the Transforming Word equips students with the tools to be effective Bible teachers. Watch
the BibleJourney website for these offerings for which there are separate certificates.
Program Objectives:
1. To provide students and participants with a comprehensive grasp of the main figures,
events, and themes in the Old Testament, their relationship to the New Testament, and
their ongoing significance for our lives.
2. To enlighten students and participants with background information and resources that
clarify God’s revelation in its original setting.
3. To equip students and participants to interpret the Bible correctly by introducing
appropriate tools and methods.
4. To raise up competent teachers who can communicate biblical truth effectively.
Format:
Sessions will include presentations on each book of the Bible, featuring “in the text”
summaries, “behind the text” background, and “in front of the text” interpretation and
implications. Ideally, the assigned readings for each week should be done before class.
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Text books:
1. The Bible (The NIV Archaeology Study Bible or the new NIV Study Bible)
2. The Story of Israel (Pate, Duvall, et al; InterVarsity Press, 2004)
3. The Heart of the Old Testament (R. Youngblood; Baker, 1998)
Note: These textbooks will be used throughout the BibleJourney course sequence.
Textbooks can be purchased at the Gordon-Conwell Charlotte bookstore or any online retailer
such as ChristianBook.com.
Assignments:
1. Weekly 1-2 page assignments will be expected of those who take the class for credit.
Assignments (provided in the syllabus below) will be submitted to the Teaching
Assistant and discussed during online interactions.
2. Students will also complete a reading log for the assigned texts.
3. For each of the five books of the Pentateuch, you will need to answer five “Guiding
Questions” (see course outline for details and due dates). You will begin this exercise
with Assignment #1.
4. A final test will be taken at the end of the course.
** Plan on 5-10 hours each week for reading and assignments.
** Plan on 5-10 hours each week for reading and assignments.
Grading Scale
Weekly Assignments (5 points each)
Guiding Questions
Reading Log
Final Test
40
20
20
20
100
Discounts and Refunds:
Gordon-Conwell has significantly reduced the tuition for these courses to make them
affordable to our community. We assume that churches will further subsidize this outreach for
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their members if hardship exists. Full refunds will be provided only through the second week of
the course for any reason.
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Course Outline
1. (1/25) Joshua
Readings for next week: Joshua; The Story of Israel, pp. 50-56
2. (2/1) Judges, Ruth; Assignment 1 Due
Readings for next week: Judges; The Story of Israel, pp. 56-60
3. (2/8) 1&2 Samuel; Assignment 2 Due
Readings for next week: 1&2 Samuel; Youngblood chp 6; The Story of Israel, pp. 60-63
4. (2/15) 1&2 Kings; Assignment 3 Due
Readings for next week: 1&2 Kings; The Story of Israel, pp. 63-67
5. (2/29) 1&2 Chronicles; Assignment 4 Due
Readings for next week: 1&2 Chronicles; The Story of Israel, pp. 67-70
6. (3/7) Psalms; Assignment 5 Due
Readings for next week: Psalms; Youngblood chp 2; The Story of Israel, pp. 71-75
7. (3/14) Job; Assignment 6 Due
Readings for next week: Job
8. (3/21) Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs; Assignment 7 Due
Readings for next class: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs; The Story of Israel, 75-87
9. (3/28) Pulling the pieces together; Assignment 8 Due
April 4
Guiding Questions on the Historical and Poetic Books Due
April 11
Final Test (25-35 question multiple choice) taken with a proctor due
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Suggested Summaries of the Whole Bible
Bartholomew, Craig G. and Michael W. Goheen. The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in
the Biblical Story (Baker Academic, 2004).
Bartholomew, Craig G. and Michael W. Goheen. The True Story of the Whole World: Finding
Your Place in the Biblical Drama (Faith Alive, 2009).
Evans, Craig A. God Speaks: What He Says, What He Means (Worthy Books, 2015).
Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible Book by Book (Zondervan, 2014).
Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Zondervan, 2014).
Kaminski, Carol. CASKET EMPTY: God’s Plan of Redemption through History (CaketEmpty Media,
2012)
Richter, Sandra L. The Epic of Eden (InterVarsity, 2008).
Williams, H. H. Drake. Making Sense of the Bible (Kregel, 2006).
Williams, Michael D. Far As the Curse is Found (P&R Publishing, 2005).
Wright, Christopher J.H. The Mission of God (InterVarsity Press, 2006).
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