Biblical Theology of the Old Testament

Biblical Theology of the Old Testament

Course Syllabus

142 | Biblical Theology of the Old Testment
Two Credits
Course begins 8/27/13; ends 12/13/12
Meeting times: Select Fridays throughout semester (10:00am – 11:00am)

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Professor:
Dr. Gerald Bilkes is the professor for this course. Dr. Bilkes is Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He completed a Ph.D. (2002) from Princeton Theological Seminary. He was recipient of the United States Information Agency Fellowship at the Albright Institute (ASOR) in Jerusalem during the 1997-1998 year. He has written several articles on biblical-theological themes and given addresses at several conferences. His areas of special interest include hermeneutics, the history of interpretation, and conversion in the Bible.
Purpose of the Course:
As pastors and teachers of the word of God, it is necessary to systematize the truths scattered throughout the Bible and present them to people in a coherent, logical form.  In order to do this accurately, it is first necessary to listen to the text and discern its teaching.  One step in this method is to trace God’s revelation throughout the different eras of biblical history.  That is what this course aims to accomplish.  What do we learn about God as we see Him acting in the events of Israel’s history and what is the interpretation placed upon these events?  Hence, our method in this course is not topical but historical.
Description of the Course:
This course introduces the student to the fundamental principles of Old Testament Biblical Theology or, as some prefer “the history of special revelation”. The course is a blended course which means that instruction is delivered using a combination of online sources and direct instruction.
Objectives of the Course:
The student will:

  1. Understand the distinction between systematic and biblical theology;
  2. Trace the history of God’s revelation as it is developed in creation, fall, Noah, the Patriarchs, the prophets and the wisdom literature as well as the kingships of Saul, David, and Solomon;
  3. Discern the elements of a covenant;
  4. Trace the history of God’s covenant making and understand the continuities and discontinuities of each.
Text:
There is one required text - Vos, Geerhardus. Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. Carlisle, Penn.: Banner of Truth, 1948.
Grade Breakdown:
Read/ListenInstructInteractConfessDiscuss
Read the readings and complete the worksheets.

40 hours

25% of final grade.

Each student will write up a series of lesson plans. In these, you will explain the theology of the Old Testament to an audience of typical, adult church members. Your objective is to take the material presented in the lectures and to rework it into a lesson that is palatable for this audience. This is also an opportunity for you to create something which you can use later in your ministry. More specific details for each of these are on Populi.

25 hours

30% of final grade.

We will come together for five seminars throughout the semester.

5 hours

5% of final grade.

The confession statements are an opportunity for you to put into words your understanding of each of these issues. Aim for 400-500 words. Each of these is to be written as theses. Try to be as clear and as concise as you can. You need not limit yourself to doctrinal beliefs; include some practical implications (personal, family, church, etc.) of the beliefs you confess as well. As always, be respectful of our confessional statements. The specific requirements for each statement are on Populi.

6 hours

25% of final grade.

There are two discussions posted on Populi. You must participate in these discussions both by an initial post of your own and by posting responses to the others. These discussions will begin at different times during the semester and will run until May 3. After May 3, no new posts will be possible and what you’ve written will be graded as is. It is expected that your initial post will be longer, but keep your response posts to (roughly) 100 words.

4 hours

15% of final grade.

Philosophy of Learning
The Capacity for Knowledge
God’s Word tells us that we have the capacity to know God since we’ve been created in the image of God. Though that capacity has been radically corrupted through the fall, when God works in grace, he principally and gradually restores it by his Spirit, as the Spirit reshapes us after the image of Christ. Thus by grace in Jesus Christ, and through the illuminating work of God’s Holy Spirit, we can once again know God and his glory, know truth, know each other, and know everything we need to know to live to the glory of God.

God uses His self-revelation in the twin books of nature and His Word to that end. For us fallen creatures the Scriptures are the only path towards true knowledge. The Scriptures are the Word of God, infallibly down to the very words. The Word of God is the touchstone of truth. Thus we must have a thorough-going disposition of teachability, in order to receive this Word of God, its content, and come under its claim.

The Connectivity of Knowledge
God’s Word also tells us that alongside our capacity for knowledge, we have the capacity for righteousness and holiness. We can distinguish these capacities, but we cannot separate them. Right knowledge tends to righteousness and holiness, just as righteousness and holiness are based on true knowledge. Knowledge that does not tend towards righteousness and holiness is false or formal knowledge, and destructive. Accordingly, I teach knowledge with an eye to show the connectivity of knowledge to practice and piety.

The Components of Knowledge
As I teach any subject – whether exegesis, hermeneutics, biblical theology, etc.—I’m aiming that the student makes fundamental gains in:

1. Discerning the Relevance of the subject;
2. Grasping the Content of the subject;
3. Accessing the Sources of the subject;
4. Practicing the Skills related to the subject;
5. Pursuing the Implications flowing from the subject;
6. Engaging the Debates involved in the subject; and
7. Radiating a Passion fitting the subject.