Genesis - Joshua
OT508
Fall 2011
Instructor: Richard (Dick) Belcher, Jr.
rbelcher@rts.edu
Course Description
This course covers creation to the promised land through literary, historical, and
theological analysis. Major themes are traced through redemptive history as each biblical
book is examined. Important theological issues, such as creation, fall, covenant, and law,
are examined in the context of the ANE and Israel's own historical setting. Such analysis
is foundational for understanding the rest of Scripture and for how this section of
Scripture has meaning for God's people today.
Course Objectives
a) To acquire a general knowledge of the content of the first six books of the Bible.
b) To help the student look at the broad picture and to see how the different parts of this
section of the canon relate to each other.
c) To understand the foundational importance of the Pentateuch for the rest of Scripture
by looking at key theological issues.
d) To examine this section of Scripture in light of the culture and history of the ANE.
Required Reading
Textbooks
1) Ray Dillard and Tremper Longman III, Introduction to the OT (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 1994/2006), pp 13-132 (hereinafter IOT).
2) V. Poythress, The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses (P & R Publishing, 1991),
chapters 1-11, 17, Appendices A, B, C.
3) Norman C. Nevin, ed., Should Christians Embrace Evolution? Biblical and Scientific
Responses (P & R Publishing, 2011)
4) D. Brant Sandy and Ronald L. Giese, Jr., eds., Cracking Old Testament Codes.
Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995, chapters 1, 4-6.
5) John H. Walton, Ancient Israelite Literature in its Cultural Context. Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 1989, chapters 1-5.
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Genesis-Joshua Syllabus
6) Readings on Covenant
a) Ligon Duncan, "Recent Objections to Covenant Theology: A Description, Evaluation
and Response," in The Westminster Confession into the 21st Century (3 vols.; ed. Ligon
Duncan; Christian Focus, 2009), 3:467-500; on reserve
b) David VanDrunen and R. Scott Clark, "The Covenant before the Covenants," in
Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry (ed. R. Scott Clark; P & R, 2007), 167196; on reserve
Assignments
1) The books from Genesis to Joshua must each be read.
2) The Required Reading (see the list above and the schedule below).
3) Three Directed Reading Questions from IOT (see the handout).
4) There will be a quiz each week covering memory verses and outlines. The lowest quiz
grade will be dropped. The first quiz you miss for any reason will be your dropped quiz.
Please be on time. The memory verses are Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 49:10, Exodus 19:5,
Leviticus 17:11, Numbers 32:23, Deuteronomy 32:46-47, and Joshua 21:45.
5) A research paper on a law passage (Exodus 21 through Deuteronomy). See the
handout on the guidelines for the paper.
Grades
1) Exams
2) Research Paper
3) Quizzes
4) Reading/IOT Quest
50%
30%
10%
10% (7/3)
Schedule
Day
August 24
Topics
Introduction to the Course
Historical, Theological, and Literary:
Critical Theories at a Crossroads
Authorship of the Pentateuch
Assigned Reading
Nevin pp. 9-26
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Genesis-Joshua Syllabus
August 31
Genesis 1:1-2:4: An Ancient Text
with Modern Implications
The Days in Genesis One: A Review
of the Options
Genesis 1:1-2:4
Poythress 1
Codes 1 & pp 36-43
September 7
Genesis One and the Meaning of Yôm
Genesis 2-3: The Origin of Our
Problems
Genesis 2-3
Nevin pp. 27-72
Walton Intro & 1
September 14
Genesis 4-11: The Outworking of Sin
Covenant: God's Way of Relating
to Creation
Genesis 4-11
Walton 4
Covenant Articles
September 21
The Patriarchs: God Will Fulfill
His Promises
Genesis 12-36
IOT 2
Codes 4
Nevin pp. 73-116
September 28
Joseph: God Rewards Faithfulness
Genesis 37-50
Walton 2
Nevin pp. 117-136,
210-220
October 5
Historical Review: God at Work for
the Sake of His People
Codes pp 89-92;
pp 98-106
Walton 5
Exodus 1-4
IOT 3
Israel in Egypt: We Cannot Save
Ourselves
**Midterm Exam given outside of Class**
October 12
Fall Break/Reading Week
October 19
The Plagues: God Fights for
His People
Redemption: God Provides
For His People
Exodus 5-11
Walton 3
Exodus 12-19
Poythress 1
October 26
The Mosaic Covenant: Law
and Tabernacle
Different Approaches to the
Role of the Law
Exod 20-40
Codes 6
Poythress App B-C
Nevin pp. 137-209
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Genesis-Joshua Syllabus
November 2
Sacrifices and Priesthood:
Approaching a Holy God
Leviticus 11-16: Cultic Purity
Lev 1-16
IOT 4
Poythress 2-7
*Passage for Paper Due*
November 9
Leviticus 17-27: The Holiness Code
Numbers: Israel the Army of God
November 16
No Class - ETS
November 23
Deuteronomy: Covenant Renewal
Deuteronomy
IOT 6
Poythress 10-11,
App A
November 30
Joshua: Receiving the Inheritance
A Biblical Theology of Land
and Rest
Joshua
IOT 3 DRQ due
Poythress 17
Lev 17-27
Poythress 8-9
Numbers
IOT 5
**Research Paper due Wednesday, December 7**
December 8-9, 12-13 Final Exam
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Genesis-Joshua Syllabus
Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
Course:
Professor:
Campus:
Date:
Genesis to Joshua (OT 508)
Richard Belcher
Charlotte
March 2009
MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the
following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course
contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this
course to the MDiv outcomes.
Rubric




Mini-Justification
Strong
Moderate
Minimal
None
*As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus.
Articulation
(oral & written)
Scripture
Reformed Theology
Sanctification
Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both
oral and written, of essential biblical, theological,
historical, and cultural/global information, including
details, concepts, and frameworks.
Significant knowledge of the original meaning of
Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research
further into the original meaning of Scripture and to
apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances.
(Includes appropriate use of original languages and
hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical,
and cultural/global perspectives.)
Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and
practice, with emphasis on the Westminster
Standards.
Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the
student’s sanctification.
Desire for
Worldview
Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of
God.
Winsomely
Reformed
Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an
appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians,
especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the
Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians;
and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.)
Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture
to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm.
Preach
Worship
Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to
lead a worship service.
Strong
Strong
Moderate
Minimal
Minimal
Minimal
Minimal
None
understanding through lectures
and reading, articulation through
essay exams and a research paper
focus in the class is on
understanding the original
meaning, with some emphasis on
language and more on
hermeneutics, with the goal of
understanding modern meaning
the class has a good dose of
Reformed distinctives, such as the
emphasis on creation, fall,
redemption, covenants, the role of
the law
although everything in the class is
geared toward better
understanding who God is and a
proper response to God
several issues in class deal directly
with world view, especially the
material in Genesis 1-3
differing views of issues are set
forth in an objective, fair, and
winsome way
there is an emphasis on how to
preach/teach different segments of
the course, but no hands-on
experience
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Genesis-Joshua Syllabus
Shepherd
Church/World
Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in
spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings;
and encouraging a concern for non-Christians, both
in America and worldwide.
Ability to interact within a denominational context,
within the broader worldwide church, and with
significant public issues.
None
Minimal
some of the issues in Genesis 1-3
are significant public issues