OT500 Old Testament Panorama
Provisional Course Outline 16-17 May, 20-21 June, 18-19 July 2014 – Passaic, NJ
Pastor Joey Andino's church – Iglesia Nuevo Comienzos – 15 Grove Street
James R. Critchlow, PhD – JCritchlow@Gordon-Conwell.edu
Course Requirements
I. Course Description: OT 500 Old Testament Panorama; Introduces the history, literature and
thought of the Old Testament as reflected in its major divisions and individual books. Designed
and recommended for those who have not had a systematic survey of the Old Testament, enabling
them to proceed with seminary-level studies.
II. Course Objectives: The primary objective of this course is to help students gain an
understanding of the content of the entire Old Testament, giving attention to the flow of the
biblical story and its major themes (Gordon-Conwell Mission Statement: Priority #1). While the
basic content of each individual book will be given, emphasis will also be placed on how each
book fits into the larger redemptive-historical narrative of the Old Testament. Resources
beneficial for the study and application of the Old Testament for preaching and Bible study will
be noted throughout the course. The readings will count 40% of your grade and the exams will
comprise 60%. You are required to read through the Old Testament before completing the final.
The Mid-Term exam will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions (including
questions on dates, key events and people in the Old Testament). The final exam will cover the
entire Old Testament. You must demonstrate your knowledge of the basic content and historical
context of each Old Testament book (you will only be tested on a few of them). Additionally you
will give summaries of several Old Testament books, highlighting dates, historical context, key
people and themes of the book. The date for the final exam will follow the final weekend session
but must be completed before 2 September 2014.
Selected readings: The required readings have been taken primarily from the biblical text. All
Bible readings that are noted in the syllabus are required. You will be asked on the final exam to
indicate what percentage of the readings you have completed. Failure to complete all readings
may result in a substantial grade penalty.
III. Required resources:
1) Kaminski, C. CASKET EMPTY: God’s Plan of Redemption through History.
CASKET Study Guide (Amazon or casketempty.com), 147528957X, ~$16.
2) Kaminski, C., CASKET EMPTY: God’s Plan of Redemption through History. Old
Testament Timeline (only at casketempty.com), ~$13.50.
3) T. Dowley, The Student Bible Atlas (Candle Books, 1994), 0806620382, ~$11.
OT500 Old Testament Panorama
IV. Recommended Books:
May-July 2014 Passaic James R. Critchlow, PhD
Aharoni, Y. & M. Avi-Yonah, The Macmillan Bible Atlas (NY: Macmillan, 1977).
Arnold, B. and B. Beyer, Encountering the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker,
1999).
Dumbrell, W.J., Covenant and Creation: A Theology of Old Testament Covenants
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1984).
Dumbrell, W. J., The Faith of Israel: A Theological Survey of the Old Testament (2nd
ed., Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002).
Eichrodt. W., Theology of the Old Testament (2 vols., Old Testament Library;
Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1961).
Fee, G.D., & Stuart, D., How to Read the Bible Book by Book (Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2002).
Hoerth, A. J., Archaeology and the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998).
Kaiser, W. C. Jr., A History of Israel From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars
(Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1998).
Kitchen, K.A., On the Reliability of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
2003).
May, H. G., ed., The Oxford Bible Atlas (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984).
Pritchard, J. B., ed., Ancient Near Eastern Texts ed. J.B. Pritchard (3rd ed. New Jersey:
Princeton University Press, 1969).
Pritchard, J. B., ed., The Ancient Near East in Pictures ed. J. B. Pritchard (2nd ed. New
Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1969).
Provisional Course Outline
Overview of the Old Testament through CASKET; Course expectations and
requirements; Introduction to Genesis 1—11
Creation: Overview of major themes in Genesis 1—11.
Abraham: God’s plan of redemption through Abraham; God’s promises to the
patriarchs; the Abrahamic Covenant; faith and works; God’s plan to bless the
nations. OT books surveyed: Genesis.
Sinai: Introduction to the Mosaic Covenant. Overview of the priesthood, the
sacrificial system, clean/unclean laws; the role of the law; the wilderness
wanderings; conquest of the land through Joshua; the period of the Judges; the
story of Ruth. OT books surveyed: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy,
Joshua, Judges, and Ruth.
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OT500 Old Testament Panorama
May-July 2014 Passaic James R. Critchlow, PhD
Kings, United Monarchy: the prophet Samuel; the united monarchy, Saul, David
and Solomon; the Davidic Covenant; building of the temple; division of the
kingdom. OT books surveyed: 1—2 Sam; 1—2 Kings (portions).
Kings, Northern Kingdom: the northern kingdom and the northern prophets,
Hosea, Amos and Jonah; the Assyrians and the end of the northern kingdom. OT
books surveyed: 1—2 Kings; 1—2 Chronicles; Hosea, Amos and Jonah.
Kings, Southern Kingdom: Rehoboam to Hezekiah; the prophets Isaiah and
Micah. OT books surveyed: 1-2 Kings; 1-2 Chronicles; Isaiah and Micah.
Kings, Southern Kingdom: from Manasseh to Zedekiah; the prophets Zephaniah,
Joel, Habakkuk, Nahum and introduction to Jeremiah. OT books surveyed: 1-2
Kings; 1-2 Chronicles; Zephaniah, Joel, Habakkuk, Nahum, and parts of Jeremiah.
Kings: The end of the southern kingdom; the prophet Jeremiah; the Babylonian
Empire; introduction to Ezekiel. OT books surveyed: 1-2 Kings; 1- 2 Chronicles;
Jeremiah.
Exile: the demise of the southern kingdom; Lamentations; the seventy-year exile
in Babylon; the hope for restoration; the prophets Ezekiel and Daniel. OT books
surveyed: Lamentations; Daniel; Ezekiel, and Obadiah.
Temple (the post-exilic period): the return from exile; building of the second
temple; the prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi; Ezra and Nehemiah, and
Esther. OT books surveyed: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.
Each student must complete reading the Old Testament in their native language
(any published version) between January-August 2014. This is an absolute
requirement for the course. Additionally, every student should read Kaminski and
Dowley (or other atlas at their choice). Readings from the recommended list will
count as bonus points (up to 10% each on the Mid-Term and Final exams).
Friday, 16 May 2014
6:30 – 9:30 PM
Overview of the OT Casket,
Expectations & requirements
Casket timeline, Chart,
Bible Atlas
9-Noon
Creation & Abraham
Sinai
Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus;
Numbers; Deuteronomy
13:00-15:00
Kings, Southern & Northern;
Ruth, Samuel – Chronicles,
Saturday, 17 May 2014
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OT500 Old Testament Panorama
15:30-16:30
May-July 2014 Passaic James R. Critchlow, PhD
Prophets, Priests and Kings
Isaiah - Ezekiel
Exile & Temple
Lamentations; Hag/Zech
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Song,
Ecclesiastes
Poetic & Wisdom literature
Friday, 20 June 2014
6:30-9:30 PM
Review Casket; Abraham;
Sinai
Genesis – Deuteronomy
9-Noon
Conquest Promised
Land & Northern Kings
Jeroboam - Hoshea
1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles,
Amos, Hosea, Jonah
1-3 PM
Kings of the South:
Rehoboam - Hezekiah
1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles
3:30-5:30
Southern Prophets:
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah,
Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Joel
By 5 July 2014
Mid-Term Exam
Saturday, 21 June 2014
Friday, 18 July 2014
6:30-9:30
Review Casket; Kings: Saul,
David and Solomon, Exiles of
Assyria and Babylon
Casket timeline, 1-2 Sam;
1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles,
Amos, Hosea, Jonah, Isaiah—
Ezekiel and Obadiah
9-12:30
Exile to Foreign Lands:
Assyria & Babylon
2 Kings, 2 Chronicles,
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
13:30-15:30
Rebuilding the Temple:
Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah,
Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
4-6 PM
Poetry & Wisdom in Israel
Psalms, Proverbs, Job,
Ecclesiastes, Lamentations,
Song of Solomon
Saturday, 19 July 2014
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OT500 Old Testament Panorama
May-July 2014 Passaic James R. Critchlow, PhD
MID-TERM EXAM STUDY GUIDE: to get you started!
You will need to know the following dates, events and Bible references: 
Abraham: 2100-1450 BC
Abrahamic promises (Gen. 12:1-3), Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 15)
Covenant of circumcision: Gen. 17 
Sinai: 1450-1050 BC
Exodus from Egypt c. 1450 BC
Ten Commandments: Exod. 20; Deut. 5
Mosaic Covenant: Exod. 24
Kings: 1050-586 BC
United monarchy: 1050-930 BC
 
Division of the kingdom: 930 BC
 
Northern kingdom: 930-722 BC
 
End of the North by Assyrians, 722 BC

Southern kingdom 930-586 BC

1st deportation by Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar: 605 BC 
Nebuchadnezzar defeats Egypt: 605 BC

Daniel goes to Babylon: 605 BC

2nd deportation by Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar: 597 BC 
Ezekiel goes to Babylon: 597 BC

Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and temple: 586 BC

End of southern kingdom and exile to Babylon: 586 BC
Exile: 586-539 BC

Temple: 539-430 BC
Cyrus defeats Babylon: 539 BC

Decree of Cyrus allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem: 538 BC
1st return: 538 BC under Zerubbabel and Joshua

Haggai and Zechariah: 520 BC

Temple completed 516 BC

2nd return from exile under Ezra: 458 BC

Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to rebuild walls: 445 BC
FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE (all the above +): to help you finish well!
OT Book Summary: You will need to be able to identify the key themes of each Old
Testament book and its historical context.

Prophets: You will also need to know whether a prophet is northern, southern or
post- exilic (all 16 prophets); and be able to provide the century for the following
prophets only: Hosea (8th), Amos (8th), Isaiah (8th), Micah (8th), Jeremiah (7th),
Ezekiel (6th), and Daniel (6th).
Additional instructions and study preparation will be provided during the course.
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