Biblical Theology

Biblical Theology

Henderson Training Institute

Fall 2016

Biblical Theology: Course Syllabus

Fall 2016

Instructor:Beth McClain

Assistant Instructor:

Contact information:

Instructor:

Assistant:

Class meeting: Wednesdays from 6:15-7:30pm. We will start in the Worship Center and dismiss to classrooms. Classroom is the Choir Room.

Course description

This course is designed to give you an introductory overview of the Bible as a whole. The emphasis will be on equipping you to better understand the macro-storyline of the entire “book” made up of 66 books. We will look to uncover that storyline by (a) paying careful attention to some of the more critical parts, and (b) trying to understand how those different parts are meant to fit together to make a whole.

Course objectives

Knowing:

  • What is the overarching story of the Bible, if there is one?
  • What is the nature of the relationship between the Old and New Testaments?
  • How do the different biblical Covenants relate to one another?
  • A basic understanding of how all of the different parts and sections of the Bible contribute to the whole.

Being:

  • Conviction and trust regarding the unity, clarity, and inspiration of the Scriptures.
  • Commitment to reading and understanding the whole counsel of God.
  • Commitment to a posture of humility and submission in approaching the Bible.

Doing:

  • Cultivation of spiritual habits necessary to rightly interpret God’s Word.
  • Learning to increasingly see ourselves underneath this story of God.
  • Commitment to inviting unbelievers into this world-encompassing story of God.

Course requirements

Class Attendance70% Attendance is required for credit

Story in Words PaperDue September 14th

Reading ReportsDue weekly as outlined in schedule below

Final PaperDue November 16th

Important Notes: In order to receive credit for this class, you must turn in ALL assignments. You must attend at least 70% of the classes (a record of which should be submitted at the final class on April 22nd). But you must turn in 100% of the assignments, including any classes that you’ve missed.

A final ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ grade will be issued to each student seeking credit for this course based upon the above requirements. Each student will need to complete assignments in a satisfactory and timely manner for the work to be accepted.

Course Texts

Required:

Roberts, Vaughan. God’s Big Picture: Tracing the storyline of the Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002. 160pp.

Sailhamer, John. NIV Compact Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994. 608pp.

Recommended:

Alexander, T. Desmond. From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2008. 208pp.

Dempster, Stephen. Dominion and Dynasty: A theology of the Hebrew Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003. 267pp.

Helm, David. The Big Picture Story Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2010. 456pp.

Sailhamer, John. The Books of the Bible. Zondervan Quick Reference Library. Grand Rapids, MI: 1998. 96pp.

Submission of papers

Papers should be submitted, in hard copy, at the beginning of class on the scheduled due date. Papers should be clearly labeled with your name, class name, and date submitted. All papers should be typed, double-spaced, and using 12 pt. Times New Roman font. All papers should be thoroughly edited and assessed for clarity and accuracy. This means using good grammar, complete sentences, correcting spelling errors, using consistent formatting for references, etc.

“Story in Words” Paper

In 1-2 pages, give your understanding of the Bible’s story using 6-8 words. Choose a word that you think faithfully captures a key element to the Bible’s story, and write 1 paragraph on that word and idea (e.g., you might choose the word “Sin,” and then you would write a paragraph explaining how sin is a significant element to the Bible’s unfolding story). If you choose 6 words, then you should have 6 paragraphs, and so forth. The purpose of this paper is for you to record your own understanding of some of the key elements to the Bible’s story at the course’s beginning. Try not to use other “helps” on this one, just the Bible.

Reading Reports

Each week, there will be assigned reading. The Reading Report, attached at the end of the syllabus is designed to help you to interact with the material more critically. Reports are to be turned in weekly, as the assigned readings are due. Note that there are 2 separate reports, 1 for the Roberts readings and the other for the biblical readings.

Final Paper

In no more than 3-4 pages, tell the macro-story of the Bible in your own words. Include your understanding of how each of the major parts (i.e., Law, Prophets, Writings, New Testament, etc.) contributesto that story. This assignment should help you to formulate your own understanding of all we’ve been studying in this class.

Course Schedule

The following is our intended course schedule. This schedule is open to alteration throughout the semester if the teachers see fit.

*** Class will not meet October 19th due to Fall Break.***

Date / Class Topic / Reading Due / Assignment Due
September 7 / Introduction to Bible and Course
September 14 / Genesis 1-2: Method and Case Study / God’s Big Picture, 13-35; Genesis 1-2 / “Story in Words” Paper
September 21 / Genesis 3: Sin, Fall, and Curse [Project Adam] / God’s Big Picture, 37-46; Genesis 3 / Reading Report
September 28 / Genesis 4-15: The Deadly Quest for the Seed / God’s Big Picture, 47-57 / Reading Report
October 5 / Last Day Poems / Genesis 49, Numbers 23-24, Deuteronomy 32-33 / Reading Report
October 12 / Project Israel / God’s Big Picture, 59-88; Exodus 19-20, Ezekiel 16 / Reading Report
October 26 / Covenantal Hope for the Nations: Abraham, David, and New Covenants / God’s Big Picture, 89-106; Genesis 12 & 15, 2 Samuel 7, Jeremiah 31 / Reading Report
November 2 / Project Messiah in the Gospels & The Church: Acts-Epistles / God’s Big Picture, 107-121; Matthew 1-4, Luke 22-24 / Reading Report
November 9 / Finishing the Story: Revelation / God’s Big Picture, 123-158; Acts 1-2, Romans 9-11, Revelation 20-22 / Final Paper
November 16 / ********** / ********** / **********

Reading Report

For the Week of ______

[FOR BIBLICAL READINGS]

  1. Did you read all of the passage(s), along with the corresponding section(s) in the commentary?
  2. What (if anything) confused you?
  3. What do they tell us about God? Mankind?
  4. What is the main point of the passage(s) for this week? (summarize in 1 sentence)
  5. How do these passages contribute to the Bible’s story?
  6. How am I driven to pray by these texts?

[FOR ROBERTS READINGS]

  1. Did you finish all of the week’s readings?
  2. What (if anything) new did you learn about the Bible this week?
  3. What (if anything) from the readings was confusing?
  4. In what ways did this week’s readings contribute to your understanding of the Bible’s story?