OT 520 Foundations for Old Testament Study

Aspirations: OT 520 seeks to equip students for ministry by providing selected tools fundamental to responsible interpretation of the OT. The course neither offers a comprehensive approach, nor emphasizes direct textual study, but enhances both by developing a framework within which competent interpretation can take place. Students explore contemporary approaches to the literary character, historical and cultural setting, composition, authorship, and literary unity of these books, their various literary types, settings, and functions, and how these affect Christian reading of the OT. Students who realize these aspirations will be able to : 1. Show how a close reading of the the OT itself provides the stimulus and basis for OT studies; 2. Illustrate how a knowledge of Hebrew and sensitivity to the OT’s literary character enhance OT study; 3. Employ specific knowlege of the the historical and cultural setting of selected OT books, traditions, and personages to illuminate passages of scripture; 4. Apply to selected texts of scripture a grasp of the background, concepts, and procedures and major claims of selected types of OT study: These include archeology, Textual criticism, Source criticism, Form criticism, Redaction criticism, Selected contemporary literary approaches. 5. Identify, clarify, and strengthen essential convictions regarding biblical theology and authority; 6. Discover study as a means of spiritual growth. This involves seeing our work as: a. “Studying (hurry, hasten, be eager, take pains, make every effort) to show yourself approved unto God, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining (cut a path in a straight direction, cut a road across country, guide along the right path) the word of truth;” (2 Tim. 2:15) b. Exploring practically how to love God with all our mind (dianoi‰a) (Matt. 22:37)); 7. Embrace and seek to exemplify certain integrative aspirations distinctive of ATS, including: a. The implications of our commitment to the Bible as “the foundation, controlling center and formative concern of the entire curriculum (Catalogue, p. 15).” b. The centrality in ATS’ history, identity, and destiny of the doctrine and experience of Entire Sanctification. c. The lost art of expository preaching as the norm and standard for pulpit ministry; d. In opening prayers and openness to God’s grace, seeking renewal in learning by the revival spirit which birthed this institution. Far from obstructing the full use of critical reason, revival should rather energize and focus it!https://place.asburyseminary.edu/syllabi/1235/thumbnail.jp