OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY I B101.1
MTW 8:00-8:55 am (Fall 2010)
Professor: William Varner, Ed.D. (ext. 3013)
wvarner@masters.edu
Twitter: @ibexdr – Blog: DrIBEX Ideas (http://dribex.tumblr.com)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Master’s Catalog, page 76: “An introduction to the entire Old
Testament . . . The Fall semester surveys Genesis through Samuel.”
COURSE GOALS:
1. That the student will become familiar with the general contents and interpretation of the Old
Testament books from Genesis through II Samuel.
2. That the student will recognize the importance of historical and geographical background for
the proper interpretation of this section of the OT.
3. That the student will recognize the overall importance of the OT, its proper authority, and its
absolute importance for a thorough understanding of the New Testament.
TEXTS: Bible: English Standard Version; Yesterday, Today and Forever, by Larry Helyer
(ISBN: 978-1879215474; $30.95); The Messiah: Revealed, Rejected, Received, by William
Varner (ISBN: 978-1420807875: $19.45).
SCHEDULE:
WEEK ONE
Orientation and Introduction, Canon, Geography
WEEK TWO
Canon, Geography WORKSHEET ONE: 9/10 Helyer, ch. One
WEEK THREE
Genesis 1-5 READING: 9/17
WEEK FOUR
Genesis 6-11 WORKSHEET TWO: 9/24 Helyer, ch. Two
WEEK FIVE
Genesis 12-50 READING: 10/1
WEEKS SIX-SEVEN Exodus 1-18
Genesis 1-25
Genesis 26-50
WORKSHEET THREE: 10/4* Helyer, ch. Three
(*MONDAY)
(NO CLASSES 10/7-9)
WEEK EIGHT
Exodus 19 – Leviticus 27 READING: 10/15 Exodus & Leviticus
WEEK NINE
Numbers - Deuteronomy MID TERM: 10/22 Gen. – Lev. Notes
WEEK TEN
Joshua
WEEK ELEVEN
Joshua - Judges WORKSHEET FOUR: 11/5 Helyer, ch. Four
WEEK TWELVE
Judges and Ruth
WEEK THIRTEEN
I Samuel
WORKSHEET FIVE: 11/19 Helyer, ch. Five
READING: 11/20 Judges
WEEK FOURTEEN
I Samuel
READING: 11/24 Ruth – I Samuel WEDNESDAY
BOOK REPORT ON “MESSIAH”: 11/29 - MONDAY
READING: 10/29
Num 10 - Deut 34
READING: 11/12 Joshua
WEEK FIFTEEN
EXAM WEEK:
II Samuel
READING: 12/03 II Samuel
WORKSHEET SIX: 12/10 Helyer, ch. Six
FINAL EXAM
December 15 8:00 a.m.
Numbers - II Samuel Notes
TESTS, EXAMS, READINGS:
1. The EIGHT Reading Reports on the Bible readings will be reported in class on the assigned
dates. Each reading report will be worth 10 points. The assigned reading must be completed
in its entirety BEFORE the class starts to receive credit. No partial credit will be given. No
late reports allowed. (80 total points)
2. A total of six (6) Reading Worksheets on the Helyer textbook should be finished and handed
in at the beginning of class on the appointed dates. Each report will be worth ten points. No
late reading worksheets will be accepted. (60 total points)
3. A Book Report on The Messiah. The report should be at least ten pages in length and cover
the first eleven chapters of the book (through “Ruth & the Messiah”). Write it as if you were
reviewing the book for a magazine. (30 points)
4. Mid Term Exam will be composed of 65 multiple choice items from the classroom lectures.
Final Exam will be composed of 65 items from the classroom lectures. (130 total points)
5. The total number of correct items on the 8 Bible readings, the 6 Helyer worksheets, and the
2 exams will determine your final grade. Your “raw score” (number of correct points) will be
converted to a letter grade according to the scale below.
COURSE GRADING:
Readings:
8 x 10
Helyer Worksheets: 6 x 10
Mid-Term:
Book Report
Final:
Total
Raw Score
282 - 300
270 – 281
261 – 269
252 – 260
231 – 251
231 – 230
222 - 230
210 – 221
201 – 209
192 – 200
180 – 191
0 - 179
= 80
= 60
= 65
= 30
= 65
= 300
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
94%
90%
87%
84%
80%
77%
74%
70%
67%
64%
60%
59% and less
Please do not ask me what your grade is during the semester. You can determine it easily by
totaling your correct answers and figuring it against the total number of possible correct answers
according to the above percentages. Grade checks by your supervisors are always permitted.
EXTRA CREDIT: Eight extra points can be added to your final raw score by reading Jacob’s
Dozen, which can be purchased from the Bookstore. A three page typed report (single spaced, 12
pt font) must be handed in by Wednesday, November 1. The paper should be written as a book
report. Do not ask for an extension on this date. This is the only extra credit allowed.
COURSE ATTENDANCE:
You are expected to be in class regularly. History has shown that the students who attend class
make the best grades. You are allowed six absences. Every absence beyond this number will
lower your final grade by one letter (A- becomes B-).
Lateness to class is not good. PLEASE BE IN CLASS ON TIME. Your lateness not only hurts
yourself - it is a distraction to others. If it is difficult for you to be here at 8:00 a.m., please drop
this course. Also, do not sit on the two end rows of desks on the sides of the room.
BIBLE TRANSLATION:
I am very fond of the English Standard Version. While I do not require it, I do encourage you
to use it in the course, especially since I will be using it in class.
POLICY ON COMPUTERS:
While you may utilize your personal computers in class, but no email or web surfing is to be
done. This will be strictly enforced. ALSO: No texting or Facebooking in class.
COURSE ADVISING AND CONSULTATION:
My office hours are MWF (2:00-3:00 pm). If I am not there, please leave a message for me with
MJ in the Bible Dept. Another effective way of contacting me is <wvarner@masters.edu>. My
office telephone extension is 3013. If you have an emergency or if you have a personal need, my
mobile phone is 644-5005.
NOTE: It has been my experience that all of your questions regarding course procedure are
answered in this syllabus. Please refer to it before asking your question. You are responsible for
what is written here. Please do not ask for exceptions to these policies, unless it is a matter of
life and death or serious illness.
COURSE VERSE:
Romans 15:4:“For whatever was written in former days was written for our
instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the
Scriptures we might have hope.” (ESV)