Judges to Esther
Summer 2011/June 6-10
Richard (Dick) Belcher, Jr
rbelcher@rts.edu
Course Description
This course offers an analysis of each book in this section of the canon from a literary,
historical, and theological perspective. Each book is placed in the context of redemptive
history to show its relationship to what has gone before and how it furthers the progress
of redemption, which ultimately leads to Christ. There is an emphasis on how to interpret
narrative and characters in a story.
Course Goals
1) To understand the structure and message of each book covered in this course.
2) To understand how each book fits into the progress of the unfolding history of God's
people.
3) To understand how these books lay a foundation for the coming of Christ.
4) To become comfortable teaching and preaching from narrative, with special attention
given to how to deal with characters in a story.
Textbooks
1) An Introduction to the Old Testament, Ray Dillard and Tremper Longman (IOT)
2) A Kingdom of Priests: A History of Old Testament Israel, Eugene Merrill
3) He Gave Us Stories, Richard Pratt
4) John C. Whitcomb, Jr., Chart of Old Testament Kings and Prophets (5th rev. ed.;
Winona Lake, IN: BMH Books, 1977) – purchased in the RTS Charlotte bookstore
5) The Trinity Psalter – purchased in the RTS Charlotte bookstore
6) Recommended:
a) The ESV Bible Atlas, John Currid and David Barrett
b) A Biblical History of Israel, Ian Provan, V. Philips Long, Tremper Longman III
Assignments
1) The biblical books Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra,
Nehemiah, and Esther must all be read.
2) The assigned reading must be read:
a) IOT on the biblical books that are covered in this course (pp 120-223)
b) All of Merrill's A Kingdom of Priests
c) He Gave Us Stories, Part II (pp 107-308)
Judges to Esther Syllabus
2
3) There will be a quiz each morning covering outlines and a question from the previous
day's lecture.
4) There will be an exam with two parts (the two parts can be taken at separate times):
a) Part 1 will be an essay exam based on the lectures. Students will be given the
questions ahead of time.
b) Part 2 will be the identification of key terms. Students will be given the key terms
ahead of time.
5) A research paper is required that will focus on a character of a narrative.
6) Everything is due Tuesday, July 26. You can either mail your assignments to RTS
Charlotte, 2101 Carmel Rd., Charlotte, NC 28226 (they have to be postmarked July
26 or contain a note that the work was completed on July 26), or email your
assignments (before midnight on July 26).
Grades
Quizzes
Exams
Paper
Reading
20%
40%
30%
10%
Tentative Schedule
Monday PM
Introduction to the Course
Interpreting Narrative: Literary, Historical, and
Theological Perspectives
Kingship: The Restoration of Human Dominion
Tuesday AM
Introduction to Judges: Israel's Failed Mission
The Downward Spiral of the Canaanization of Israel
Tuedsay PM
Ruth: Covenant Loyalty Brings Covenant Blessing
Samuel and the Crisis of Leadership
Wednesday AM
Saul: A King Like the Other Nations
David: God's Choice for a King
Wednesday PM
David: The King After God's Own Heart
Solomon: the World-Wide Glory of God's Kingdom
Elijah: the Prophetic Fight Against Idolatry
Judges to Esther Syllabus
3
Thursday AM
Elisha: Yahweh's Power to Deliver
Covenant Curse: the Exile of the Kingdoms
Thursday PM
Ezra: Laying the Foundation for Restoration
Nehemiah: the Need for Continuing Reform
Friday AM
Esther: the Hidden Providence of God
Chronicles: Looking to the Past with Hope for
the Future
Judges to Esther Syllabus
4
Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
Course:
Professor:
Campus:
Date:
Judges to Esther (OT 510)
Richard P 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)
Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both
oral and written, of essential biblical, theological,
historical, and cultural/global information, including
details, concepts, and frameworks.
Scripture
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.)
Reformed
Theology
Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and
practice, with emphasis on the Westminster
Standards.
Sanctification
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
Shepherd
Moderate
Strong
Minimal
articulation of essential biblical,
theological, and historical
information is covered, but mostly
written, not oral
the original meaning of the
historical books is covered with an
emphasis on research in a paper
and substantial time spent on
meaning for today
there is an emphasis on the
theological message of the
historical books, but not as directly
tied to the Westminster Standards
None
implicit not explicit
None
None
Minimal
Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to
lead a worship service.
None
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.
None
we talk about how to preach and
teach the historical books
Judges to Esther Syllabus
Church/World
Ability to interact within a denominational context,
within the broader worldwide church, and with
significant public issues.
5
None