WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Wayland Baptist University Mission Statement
Wayland Baptist University exists to education students in an
academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian
environment for professional success and service to God and humankind.
RLGN1301
OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY
FALL 2014
Instructor: Mr. Victor Berrelez
Instructor Information
 Phone: 623-451-3294 (texts are accepted)
 Email: victor.berrelez@wayland.wbu.edu
 Church Office Hours: 10am-2pm Monday-Friday
 Office Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Class Time and Location: 5:30am-9:40pm, Luke building- room 3149
Catalog Description A study of the background, theological content and
application of the New Testament
Prerequisite: None
Required Textbooks and Resources
The Learning Bible, New International Version, American
Bible Society, 2003.
Course Outcome Competencies:
 Demonstrate knowledge of the historical, religious, and social
context of the New Testament world.
 Demonstrate knowledge of some of the critical methods used in
New Testament studies.
 Demonstrate an understanding of the basic content of the New
Testament and its main teaching (theological content).
 Demonstrate knowledge of the canonical process producing a more
complete understanding of the New Testament.
Attendance Requirements
Students enrolled in the University’s Virtual Campus should
make every effort to participate fully in the class. In order to
make up incomplete work, the student must explain the reason
for the deficiency to the instructor, who will then determine
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whether the omitted work may be made up. When a student
shows a lack of participation considered by the instructor to be
excessive, the instructor will so advise the student. Any student
who misses 25 percent or more of the class assignments will
receive a grade of F in the course. Additional participation
policies for each course, as defined by the instructor in the
course syllabus, are considered a part of the University’s
attendance policy.
Disability Statement
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA), it is the policy of Wayland Baptist University that no
otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to
discrimination under any education program or activity in the
university. The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as
the coordinator of students with a disability and should be
contacted concerning accommodation requests at (806) 2913765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any
request for accommodations.
Course Requirements:
A.
Reading Assignments: Reading assignments in the NIV
Learning Bible will be in conjunction with each weeks lectures
and other notes. The biblical text is divided by book, chapters and
verses (i.e. John 3:16). This method is used for easy accessibility
in finding a specify area of the bible. Reading must be done
weekly in perpetration for each quiz.
Quizzes, Exams and participation points
1. There will be 8 quizzes throughout the term that will be timed at
35 minutes. Each quiz will consist of 10 questions that are worth 1
point per question. All quizzes will be over the reading only. Expect
true and false, multiple choice and matching.
2. There will be 3 major exams worth 100 points each. When the first
exam is taken there will be no need to remember the contexts for exam 2
or 3, this means that the exams are not comprehensive. The exams will be
timed at 120 minutes and will be open notes and book. Expect true and
false, multiple choice, matching and essays of 250 words or more.
3. If necessary, students will receive 20 points each week for
participation on discussion boards. Discussion boards must be a
minimum of 250 words for your first response then 100 words when
responding to other students. You must respond a minimum of two
other students. Also, scripture quoting will not count toward the
minimum word count. So if you quote John 3:16 “For God so loved the
world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.” You don’t get credit for 26
words.
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B.
Participation Policies: Participation in the class will be the result
of responding to other students in the class. It is also very
important that students take the time to long into Blackboard at
least three to four times a week. This is to check for updates and
announcements that are vital for the course. All test and quizzes
will use the Blackboard system. On the exams only the
instructor will post the final grade as the essays are carefully
read. The instructor will value each student’s point of view and
encourage sharing that view with the class. However, attacks on
other student’s perspective will not be tolerated.
V. Course Outline and Calendar
Date
August 19 (Week 1)
Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion:
Date
August 26 (Week 2)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion:
Date
September 2 (Week 3)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment :
TLB (The Learning Bible) pp. 9-32
Psalm 19:1; Song of Solomon 4:1-7; 5:2:
Luke 1:1-2; John 14:8-9; Revelation 12:3-4
Introduction to the Bible;
The nature of the bible, the Authority of the
Old Testament, Revelation and Inspiration,
Canonization, Biblical Criticism (notes on
blackboard), Archaeology, Translations,
Principles of Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
and the geography of Palestine.
(Intro Quiz and Quiz 1 due Aug 25 by
11:59pm MST)
TLB pp. 33-57 (Genesis chs. 1-11,
including notes and special articles)
The Beginnings;
The Nature of Biblical History and the
Creation account in Genesis, The order of
Creation (Approaches to Origins of the
Universe), The fall of humanity, the fall to
Abraham and commercial and cultural life in
ancient times.
(Quiz 2 due Sep 1 by 11:59pm MST)
TLB pp. 919-923, TLB pp. 80 Birthright,
TLB pp. 88 Angels, TLB pp. 110 King of
Egypt, TLB pp. 124 Nomads (Wandering
Herders),
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Topics for Discussion
Date
September 9 (Week 4)
Reading Assignment
Topics for Discussion
Genesis chs. 12-13, 15-19, 21-22. 24-25, 2729, 30-33, 37, 39-41, 50
The Hebrew Patriarchs;
Introduction, Abraham and Isaac, the story
of Jacob and the story of Joseph
(Quiz 3 due Sep 8 by 11:59pm MST)
TLB pp. 133-157 (Exodus chs. 1-12)
TLB pp. 168-173 (Exodus chs. 18-20)
TLB pp. 210, 211 (Leviticus chs.16, 19 23)
TLB pp. 340-347 (Deut. chs. 1-2)
Joshua ch. 24
The Exodus;
Introduction, The oppression of the
Hebrews, the birth of Moses to his death
The Conquest and Settlement of Canaan;
Introduction, preparation for entrance to
Canann, the battle of Jericho, the Holy War
(Herem), Ai and Achan and Continuing the
Conquest
(No Quiz )
First Exam over Readings and Class Notes for week 1-4 due by Sep 15, 11:59pm (2
hour exam)
Date
September 16 (Week 5)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment:
Judges chs. 6-7, 16 (Include article on
Canaanite Gods and Goddesses p. 469),
TLB p. 180 (Article on blood), p. 243
(Article on Names of God)
Ruth 1-4 (Article on Foreigners (Aliens))
Topics for Discussion:
The Period of the Judges;
Introduction, cultural conflict, Baalism,
characteristics of the period, the function of
the judges, the judges, Gideon, Samson and
the book of Ruth
(Quiz 4 due Sep 22 by 11:59pm MST)
Date
September 23 (Week 6)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment:
TLB pp. 513
(Article The Ark of the Covenant),
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Topics for Discussion:
Date
September 30 (Week 7)
Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion:
Date
October 7 (Week 8)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion
I Samuel chs. 1, 8-10, 15-17
II Samuel chs. 11-12
TLB pp. 574 (Article on Jerusalem)
(I Kings chs. 3, 11-12, 18)
TLB pp. 650 (Article on Kingship in Israel
II Kings chs. 3-8
TLB pp. 711 (Article Assyria)
The United Monarchy:
Introduction, transition period-Samuel, Saul,
David and the reign of Solomon
(Quiz 5 due Sep 29 by 11:59pm MST)
TLB pp. 1716- 1717 (Intro to Amos)
TLB p. 1721 Article on Justice
Amos chs. 3-6
TLB pp. 1684-1685 (Hosea chs. 1-3)
2 Kings chs. 18-20; TLB pp. 1289-1291
Isaiah chs. 1, 6-7, 9, 11
The Divided Monarchy; The Beginning of
the Assyrian Crisis and then The Assyrian
Crisis
Introduction: Decline and fall of Israel,
Judah, King Hezekiah, The prophet Isaiah
and the prophet Micah, Civil War between
Judah and Isreal, Prophets Elijah, Amos and
Hosea
(Quiz 6 due Oct 6 by 11:59pm MST)
TLB pp. 1763-1764, 1778-1779,
2 Kings chs. 22-25; TLB pp. 1424-1426
Jeremiah chs. 1, 18, 29, 30, 31
Nahum ch. 1;
TLB pp. 1560-1561, Ezekiel ch. 1-3, 37
Judah and the Babylonian Crisis and the
Babylonian Exile;
King Josiah, The prophets Zephaniah,
Habakkuk, Nahum, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Obadiah, the book of Lamentations and the
end of the exile
(No Quiz )
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Second Exam over Readings and Class Notes weeks 6--8 by Oct 13, 11:59pm (2 hour
exam)
Date
October 14 (Week 9)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment:
Topics for Discussion
Date
October 21 (Week 10)
Quiz over Reading Assignment
Reading Assignment
Topics for Discussion;
TLB pp. 852-853; (Ezra chs. 1, 7, 10);
874-875 (Nehemiah chs. 1-2, 8-10)
TLB pp. 1741-1743 (Jonah ch.1-4)
TLB pp. 1024-1024
Psalms chs. 1, 23, 46 139
The Restoration of the Nation;
Edict of Liberation, Ezra, Nehemiah, the
significance of Ezra-Nehemiah, the prophet
of Haggai, the prophet Zechariah, the
prophet Joel, the book of Jonah, the book of
Malachi and the book of Esther
(Quiz 7 due Oct 20 by 11:59pm MST)
TLB pp. 1193-1194
Proverbs chs. 3, 20, 31
TLB 961,962 (Job chs. 1-2, 42)
TLB pp. 1653-1654: TLB 1656
Daniel chs. 1-6
Poetry and Wisdom Literature;
Categories, Nature of Hebrew poetry, the
book of Psalms, Wisdom literature, the book
of Proverbs, The Song of Songs (the Song of
Solomon), the book of Ecclesiastes, The
book of Job and the book of Daniel
(Quiz 8 due Oct 27 by 11:59pm MST)
Date
Oct 28-Nov 1 (Week 11)
FINAL EXAM
COURSE OUTLINE AND CALENDAR
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(check the Discussion Board 2-3 times per week and read the
announcements!)
Date (week of)
Week 1
Intro and Quiz
#1
Week 2
Quiz # 2
Subject
Introduction in the class and Introduction
to the Bible
The Beginnings
Assignment
Reading and Lecture
notes DB # Introduction
and DB# 1
Reading and Lecture
notes DB#2
Week 3
Quiz # 3
The Hebrew Patriarchs
Reading and Lecture notes, DB#3
Week 4
No QUIZ
Exam 1
Week 5
Quiz #4
The Exodus
Reading and Lecture notes, DB# 4
The Conquest and Settlement of Canaan
and The Period of the Judges
Reading and Lecture notes, DB# 5,
Week 5 will cover 2 sections due
to Christmas Break
Reading and Lecture notes, DB# 6
Week 6
Quiz #5
The United Monarchy
Week 7
Quiz #6
The Divided Monarchy: The Beginning
of the Assyrian Crisis and Then the
Assyrian Crisis.
Reading and Lecture notes, DB#7
Week 8
No quiz
Exam 2
Week 9
Quiz #7
Judah and the Babylonian Crisis and the
Babylonian Exile;
Reading and Lecture notes, DB#8
The Restoration of the Nation
Reading and Lecture notes, DB#9
Week 10
Quiz #8
Poetry and Wisdom Literature
Reading and Lecture notes,
DB#10
Week 11
YOU MADE IT!
Final Exam must be
completed by Nov 1 at
11:59pm.
Course Evaluation (Method of Determining Grade)
 University Grading System
Symbol
Percentage
A
90-100
B
80-89
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C
70-79
D
60-69
F
Below 60
Other symbols used for grading include:
CR
Credit
Satisfactory, but without
qualitative grading.
NCR No Credit
Unsatisfactory, but without
qualitative grading.
I**
Incomplete
May be given to a student who is
passing, but has not completed a
term paper, examination, or other
required for work reasons beyond
the student’s control.
IP
In progress
Assigned to a course indicating
that at the conclusion of a term the
course will still be in progress.
X
No grade
No grade has been submitted by
the instructor. The course grade
which will replace the X must be
submitted within 30 days from the
beginning of the next full term.
W
Withdrawal
Course dropped or withdrawal
from the
University.
WP
Withdraw passing
Course dropped or withdrawal
from the University after deadline
to withdraw with a W and prior
deadline to withdraw with a WP or
WF.
WF
Withdraw failing
Course dropped or
withdrawal from the University
after deadline to withdraw with a
W and prior to deadline to
withdraw with a WP or WF.
**A grade of incomplete is changed if the deficiency is made up
by midterm of the next regular semester; otherwise, it becomes
"F". This grade is given only if circumstances beyond the
student's control prevented completion of work during the
semester enrolled and attendance requirements have been met.
Class Grading Scale:
A = 480-432
B = 431-384
C = 383-336
D = 335-288
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F = 287-0
TOTAL POINTS = 480 POINTS
Academic Honesty (Plagiarism):
University students are expected to conduct themselves according
to the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic misconduct
for which a student is subject to penalty includes all forms of
cheating, such as illicit possession of examinations or examination
materials, forgery, or plagiarism. (Plagiarism is the presentation of
the work of another as one’s own work.) It is the student’s
responsibility to be familiar with penalties associates with
plagiarism stated in the catalog on page 88.
Syllabus
The syllabus is not a contract. It can be changed or altered at any time by the
instructor. The instructor will notify students of any changes.
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