1
The BibleJourney at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary presents,
The Exile and Return of the People of God:
Interpreting the Prophetic and Restoration Books
Instructor:
Rev. Mark B. Poe (MA in Biblical Studies and MA in Christian Thought, GCTS)
mpoe@gordonconwell.edu; mbpoe@att.net; 704-435-6408
Dates and Times:
This course is Part 3 of a 3-part sequence that tours the entire Old Testament. Classes will meet in the
CLUB HOUSE which is located in the Children’s Wing at Lake Forest Church, 8519 Gilead Road,
Huntersville, NC 28078 (off exit 23 of I-77) from 6:45 – 8:45 on Thursday nights, from March 27 – May
22 with a break on April 17 (Holy Week). Participants may register for some or all of the courses; there
are no prerequisites. However, it is strongly recommended that students engage in the whole journey
through the Old Testament and continue through the New Testament. Dates and specific details
concerning future BibleJourney programs will be available on our website.
Registration:
Registration for courses is required. Please visit www.gordonconwell.edu/biblejourney or call Church
Relations Coordinator, Dr. Alison Littauer, at 704-940-5814 for more information. Participants will sign
up either for audit (those who sit in the class for personal enrichment only) or for credit (those who
meet with a Teaching Assistant, turn in weekly assignments, and may receive credit toward a seminary
certificate).
*** Credit students are required to participate in break-out groups for a ½ hour before class each
evening.
Certification:
Credit students who meet all the requirements for the complete 6-course sequence in Old and New
Testaments (including two interpretation papers) are eligible to receive a Certificate in Biblical
Interpretation. This certificate will exempt those interested in any masters or other certificate program
at the seminary from up to three courses (OT Survey, NT Survey, and Biblical Interpretation).
Note: The cost of the 6-course sequence is the cost of one graduate level course. Therefore, students
completing the Certificate in Biblical Interpretation will have taken three courses for the price of one.
1
2
Objectives:
1. To provide 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 participants with background information and resources that clarify God’s
revelation in its original setting.
3. To equip participants to interpret the Bible correctly by introducing appropriate tools and
methods.
Format:
During each evening session, there will be a two hour presentation by Rev. Poe. These 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 application. Class notes will be available on
the course website (www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/Bible-Journey-Charlotte.cfm). Credit students
will engage in discussion about assignments and questions during a 30 minute break-out session
offered from 6:15-6:45 pm. Ideally, the assigned readings for each week should be done before class.
The written/typed assignments are designed to follow class.
Text books:
1. The Bible (preferably the The NIV Archaeology Study Bible, NIV Study Bible or the ESV Study
Bible)
2. B. T. Arnold and B. E. Beyer, Encountering the Old Testament (Baker, 2008)
3. J. S. Duvall and Hayes, J. D., Grasping God’s Word, 3rd ed. (Zondervan, 2012) and, for auditors,
Journey into God’s Word (same authors and publisher).
Note: These textbooks will be used throughout the Old Testament course sequence.
Recommended Textbook
James C. Martin, John A. Beck, and David G. Hansen, A Visual Guide to Bible Events: Fascinating
Insights into Where They Happened and Why (Baker Books, 2009).
Assignments:
Weekly 1-2 page assignments will be expected of those who take the class for credit. Assignments are
found on the website (http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/Class-Assignments.cfm) and will be
submitted to Rev. Poe and discussed during the weeknight sessions. Participants will complete a
reading log for the assigned texts. A final test will be taken at the end of the course. Plan on at least 5
hours each week for reading and assignments.
The final test (25-35 question multiple choice) will be taken during the final breakout session on May
22nd.
2
3
In anticipation of a final 10-page interpretation paper due on August 1, we will be mastering the
method explained in the texts, Grasping God’s Word and Journey into God’s Word. Some assignments
will ask for the full 5-step process.
Attendance and Missed Classes:
Credit students will need to be in attendance at least six of the eight weeks. Students may download
audio recordings from iTunesU of missed classes to maintain their pace with the course assignments.
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 their members if
hardship exists. Full refunds will be provided only through the second week of the course for any
reason.
3
4
Course Outline
1. March 27
The prophets (intro); Amos
Read: Amos; Arnold/Beyer chp 24, 32 (*select); Duvall/Hayes chp 21
2. April 3
Pre-exilic prophets (Assyrian period): Hosea, Micah, Jonah, Nahum
Read: Hosea, Micah, Jonah, Nahum; Arnold/Beyer chps 32-33 (select)
3. April 10
Pre-exilic prophets (cont.): Isaiah
Read: Isaiah; Arnold/Beyer chps 25-26
April 17 – Holy Week Break
4. April 24
Babylonian period: Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Joel
Read: Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Joel; Arnold/Beyer chps 32-33 (select)
5. May 1
Exilic prophets (Babylonian period): Jeremiah, Lamentations
Read: Jeremiah, Lamentations; Arnold/Beyer chps 27-28
6. May 8
Exilic prophets (cont.): Ezekiel, Daniel
Read: Ezekiel, Daniel; Arnold/Beyer chps 29-31
7. May 15
Post-exilic/Restoration history (Persian period): Esther, Ezra-Nehemiah
Read: Esther, Ezra-Nehemiah; Arnold/Beyer chp 18
8. May 22
Post-exilic/Restoration prophets (Persian period): Obadiah, Haggai, Zechariah,
Malachi
Read: Obadiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi; Arnold/Beyer chps 33-34 (select)
August 1
10 page interpretation paper due
* “select” – Read the appropriate sections for the biblical books for these evenings.
4