BI 101 Old Testament Survey

BI 101 Old Testament Survey

Fall 2016 Syllabus

J. Michael Lester

I.Course Description

This class will give each student an overview of the Old Testament. We walk through each book, learn its significance, key words, key verses, key truths and understand its broad outline and application for New Testament believers.Special emphasis is placed upon authorship, date, and purpose. Passages of particular doctrinal significance will be examined and discussed. As this is a “survey,” it is merely introductory in nature.

II.Course Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to: / Institutional Objectives* / Program Objectives* / Course
Requirement
1 / Have a basic understanding of the OT Scriptures. / 1 / 1 / A, B
2 / Highlight the portraits of Christ given in the OT. / 1 / 1, 2 / D
3 / Demonstrate that God’s plan for the Jewish people was one of redemption, promised in Genesis 3:15 and culminating at the Cross. / 1 / 1 / B
4 / Be prepared with background information on each book. Background information would include geography, authorship, date, and contemporary books / prophets corresponding to that time. / 1 / 2 / Final Exam
5 / List the basic theme of each book. / 1 / 1, 2 / Final Exam
6 / List each key phrase and key verse from each book. / 1 / 1 / Final Exam
7 / Distinguish the kings and prophets of each kingdom. / 1 / 1 / MT, FE
8 / Chronologically list the kings of Judah and Israel. / 1 / 1 / Final Exam
9 / Successfully pass a final examination. / 1 / 1 / Final Exam

FROM THE CATALOG:

Institutional Learning Objectives (ILOs)

1. Demonstrate comprehension in major areas of Bible knowledge and doctrine.
2. Apply knowledge in practical and relevant ways to their chosen field.
3. Effectively communicate the gospel to unbelievers.
4. Regularly practice authentic spiritual disciplines.
5. Effectively serve in ministry through the local church.
6. Engage in service to the community.

Bible Program Learning Objectives (PLOs)

1. Demonstrate an accurate knowledge of the Bible (2 Tim 2:15)
2. Utilize significant interpretative data regarding historical, geographical, cultural, theological background, and themes of the Scriptures.
3. Articulate the historic Baptist faith and distinctives.
4. Communicate God’s truth lovingly and effectively to believers and unbelievers.

III.Course Requirements

1. Read the Old Testament Section from the textbook (Exploring the Scriptures,John Phillips) one time. You will type out a 3-4page review of the book.
2. This is to be double-spaced, with Times New Roman size 12 font, due Thursday,October 6.
3. Project must be submitted by email to by 5pm on the date due.
4. Project should include a title page.
5. Project should be submitted as one attachment in PDF or Word format. The title page should be included with your paper and not as a separate attachment.
6. No late projects will be accepted.
7. A sample copy of a book review is provided with the syllabus.

1. Read through the entire OTthis semester. There will be weekly reading quizzes to ensure progress. We will follow this schedule:

1.September 8Read through Exodus 28

2.September 15Read through Numbers 12

3.September 22Read through Deuteronomy 31

4.September 29Read through I Samuel 3

5.October 6Read through 1 Chronicles 2

6.October 20Read through Ezra 1

7.October 27Read through Psalm 21

8.November 3Read through Proverbs 14

9.November 10Read through Isaiah 53

10.November 17Read through Jeremiah 50

11.November 21Read through Daniel 1

12.December 1Read through Malachi 4

NOTE: The combined weight of your reading for this class is 36%. It is recommended that you do not fall behind.

1. Summarize one of these books: Ruth, Esther, Nehemiah, Ezra or 1 Samuel, due November 17.
2. Project should be a minimum of two pages, maximum of four.
3. This is double-spaced, Turabian formatting.
4. The following questions should help guide your summary:

1.Who wrote it?

2.When was it written?

3.Why was it written?

4.What’s the big idea of the book?

5.How does this book point us to Jesus?

6.Where does this book fit in with the general chronology of the Old Testament?

1. Project must be submitted by email to y 10pm on the date due.
2. Project should include a title page.
3. Project should be submitted as one attachment in PDF or Word format. The title page should be included with your paper and not as a separate attachment.
4. No late projects will be accepted.
5. Projects will be graded, recorded, and returned within two weeks.

1. Learn the following Bible verses: Memory verses are to be learned verbatim with correct spelling. You will be tested over these verses on November 21.
2. Genesis 3:15
3. Deuteronomy 6:4
4. Psalm 23
5. Proverbs 3:5-6
6. Ecclesiastes 12:1-2
7. Isaiah 7:14
8. Micah 6:8
9. Daniel 1:8

IV.Grading Factors

1. Old Testament Reading 36%
2. Test and Quizzes 29%
3. Projects 15%
4. Exams 20%

Tests and quizzes will be graded, returned, and recorded within one week.

V.Spiritual and Academic Integrity

Attendance Policy

Use your student portal to track your attendance. You should be checking this daily. If you miss more than fifteen (15) percent of this class, you will be automatically dropped from the roster and receive an “F” for the course. The amount missed includes the accumulation of tardies, cuts, and any other absences. Once an attendance has been posted, the student has one week to contest the accuracy of the record. Once a week has passed, the record will stand.

If you are absent on a quiz or test day, it is your responsibility to know what you have missed. Each student will have 48 hours (excluding weekends) from the end of class to make up his missed test or quiz. If these are not made up within that time frame, they will be recorded as a 0. Make-up tests may be more difficult and comprehensive than the test given in class.

Academic Honesty

Cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and any act designed to give an unfair advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submitting the same written assignment for two courses or providing false or misleading information in an effort to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, exam, or other assignment) is considered cheating and will not be tolerated.

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.” Common forms of plagiarism are copying words or ideas and not giving the author credit for them by providing proper reference.

Another author’s specific words must be placed within quotation marks with an appropriate reference given. Another author’s ideas must include an appropriate reference.

Classroom Behavior

As part of this class, you are an integral part of a learning community. Please be aware of your behavior and its effects on others. Talking, coming in late, leaving early, sleeping in class, and being discourteous can all diminish classmates’ learning experiences. Realize that everyone in this class might be in a position someday to recommend you professionally. Earn and keep their respect.

VI.Contact Info

I have an open door policy! If you are having problems, questions, or just want to talk, I encourage you to contact me in person, on the phone, or via email. If you need anything, please communicate with me!

Cell661.466.3429

Office HoursIn office every weekday until 5pm

Projects emailed

Additional Resources

1 inch margins

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WEST COAST BAPTIST COLLEGE

6 lines down

PROJECT TITLE

6 lines down

A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO

BROTHER MIKE LESTER

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE

BI 101

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY

6 lines down

BY

JOHN DOE

BOX #

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LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA

7 FEBRUARY 2015

Here is a previous “Old Testament Reading Schedule” to give you an idea of daily reading.
Date / Passage
Monday, September 07, 2015 / Genesis 1-11
Tuesday, September 08, 2015 / Genesis 12-21
Wednesday, September 09, 2015 / Genesis 22-29
Thursday, September 10, 2015 / Genesis 30-36
Friday, September 11, 2015 / Genesis 37-44
Saturday, September 12, 2015 / Genesis 45 - Exodus 3
Sunday, September 13, 2015 / Exodus 4-12
Monday, September 14, 2015 / Exodus 13-20
Tuesday, September 15, 2015 / Exodus 21-28
Wednesday, September 16, 2015 / Exodus 29-36
Thursday, September 17, 2015 / Exodus 37-Leviticus 5
Friday, September 18, 2015 / Leviticus 6-12
Saturday, September 19, 2015 / Leviticus 13-19
Sunday, September 20, 2015 / Leviticus 20-26
Monday, September 21, 2015 / Leviticus 27-Numbers 5
Tuesday, September 22, 2015 / Numbers 6-12
Wednesday, September 23, 2015 / Numbers 13-19
Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Numbers 20-27
Friday, September 25, 2015 / Numbers 28-35
Saturday, September 26, 2015 / Numbers 36-Deuteronomy 5
Sunday, September 27, 2015 / Deuteronomy 6-14
Monday, September 28, 2015 / Deuteronomy 15-23
Tuesday, September 29, 2015 / Deuteronomy 24-31
Wednesday, September 30, 2015 / Deuteronomy 32-Joshua 6
Thursday, October 01, 2015 / Joshua 7-13
Friday, October 02, 2015 / Joshua 14-22
Saturday, October 03, 2015 / Joshua 23-Judges 5
Sunday, October 04, 2015 / Judges 6-11
Monday, October 05, 2015 / Judges 12-20
Tuesday, October 06, 2015 / Judges 21-1 Samuel 3
Wednesday, October 07, 2015 / 1 Samuel 4-13
Thursday, October 08, 2015 / 1 Samuel 14-19
Friday, October 09, 2015 / 1 Samuel 20-27
Saturday, October 10, 2015 / 1 Samuel 28-2 Samuel 5
Sunday, October 11, 2015 / 2 Samuel 6-14
Monday, October 12, 2015 / 2 Samuel 15-20
Tuesday, October 13, 2015 / 2 Samuel 21 - 1 Kings 3
Wednesday, October 14, 2015 / 1 Kings 4-8
Thursday, October 15, 2015 / 1 Kings 9-15
Friday, October 16, 2015 / 1 Kings 16-21
Saturday, October 17, 2015 / 1 Kings 22-2 Kings 6
Sunday, October 18, 2015 / 2 Kings 7-13
Monday, October 19, 2015 / 2 Kings 14-19
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 / 2 Kings 20-1 Chronicles 2
Wednesday, October 21, 2015 / 1 Chronicles 3-11
Thursday, October 22, 2015 / 1 Chronicles 12-21
Friday, October 23, 2015 / 1 Chronicles 22-2 Chronicles 1
Saturday, October 24, 2015 / 2 Chronicles 2-11
Sunday, October 25, 2015 / 2 Chronicles 12-21
Monday, October 26, 2015 / 2 Chronicles 22-29
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 / 2 Chronicles 30-Ezra 1
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Ezra 2-9
Thursday, October 29, 2015 / Ezra 10-Nehemiah 8
Friday, October 30, 2015 / Nehemiah 9-Esther 3
Saturday, October 31, 2015 / Esther 4-Job 9
Sunday, November 01, 2015 / Job 10-26
Monday, November 02, 2015 / Job 27-40
Tuesday, November 03, 2015 / Job 41-Psalm 21
Wednesday, November 04, 2015 / Psalm 22-41
Thursday, November 05, 2015 / Psalm 42-65
Friday, November 06, 2015 / Psalm 66-80
Saturday, November 07, 2015 / Psalm 81-103
Sunday, November 08, 2015 / Psalm 104-119
Monday, November 09, 2015 / Psalm 120-149
Tuesday, November 10, 2015 / Psalm 150 - Proverbs 14
Wednesday, November 11, 2015 / Proverbs 15-27
Thursday, November 12, 2015 / Proverbs 28 - Ecclesiastes 10
Friday, November 13, 2015 / Ecclesiastes 11 - Isaiah 6
Saturday, November 14, 2015 / Isaiah 7-19
Sunday, November 15, 2015 / Isaiah 20-31
Monday, November 16, 2015 / Isaiah 32-42
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 / Isaiah 43-53
Wednesday, November 18, 2015 / Isaiah 54-66
Thursday, November 19, 2015 / Jeremiah 1-8
Friday, November 20, 2015 / Jeremiah 9-17
Saturday, November 21, 2015 / Jeremiah 18-26
Sunday, November 22, 2015 / Jeremiah 27-33
Monday, November 23, 2015 / Jeremiah 34-42
Tuesday, November 24, 2015 / Jeremiah 43-50
Wednesday, November 25, 2015 / Jeremiah 51-Ezekiel 1
Thursday, November 26, 2015 / Ezekiel 2-12
Friday, November 27, 2015 / Ezekiel 13-19
Saturday, November 28, 2015 / Ezekiel 20-27
Sunday, November 29, 2015 / Ezekiel 28-35
Monday, November 30, 2015 / Ezekiel 36-42
Tuesday, December 01, 2015 / Ezekiel 43-Daniel 1
Wednesday, December 02, 2015 / Daniel 2-8
Thursday, December 03, 2015 / Daniel 9-Hosea 8
Friday, December 04, 2015 / Hosea 9-Amos 5
Saturday, December 05, 2015 / Amos 6-Micah 7
Sunday, December 06, 2015 / Nahum 1 - Zechariah 4
Monday, December 07, 2015 / Zechariah 5-Malachi 4

1 inch margins

4 lines down

WEST COAST BAPTIST COLLEGE

6 lines down

PROJECT TITLE

6 lines down

A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO

BROTHER MIKE LESTER

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE

BI 101

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY

6 lines down

BY

JOHN DOE

BOX #

6 lines down

LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA

7 NOVEMBER 2016

Wiersbe, Warren. Preaching and Teaching with Imagination: The Quest for Biblical Ministry. Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing, 1994.

Summary

Warren Wiersbe has written Preaching and Teaching with Imagination: The Quest for Biblical Ministry in order to challenge preachers to “proclaim the Word [so] that the people who hear us will experience the power of God’s truth changing lives.”

Wiersbe writes with a style that is easy to digest. As a lover of words, he has the ability to proclaim profound truths in a simply eloquent manner. From Wiersbe’s own admission, this book is meant to be a primer, an introduction that will begin a conversation. He does not write as an expert, nor does he expect to have the final word. He writes with concern that preachers are taking the truth of Scriptures and presenting them as lifeless and dull. He believes that preaching with imagination is at least a partial solution to redirect the presentation of truth.

Throughout part one, Wiersbe addresses Imagination and Life in chapters 1-8. His opening illustration concerning the approaches of Hushai and Ahithophel counseling Absalom is captivating. It serves his purpose of showing the importance of using creativity in one’s presentation. Though he is quick to recognize the divine element in protecting David, from a human perspective, Hushai’s approach utilizes a “right-brain” approach – a creative approach. Rather than use words, he created pictures so that Absalom could “see” what he was “hearing.” This sets the foundation for the rest of the book as he admonishes and challenges preachers to let the audience “see” the sermon.

In part two, he addresses Imagination and Scripture within chapters 9-16. Frankly, this section reads as fluff and excess material. Wiersbe walks through each section of both testaments highlighting metaphors and creative approaches. While it is important to illustrate one’s point and defend it biblically, the writer fails to recognize the weakness in his approach. In detailing example after countless example, Wiersbe has robbed his readers of the opportunity to discover these truths for themselves. Rather than providing a platform to develop one’s creativity, he has stifled it by providing the “answers to the question.”

In part three, he addresses Imagination and Biblical Preaching. Chapters 17-25 form the bulk of his argument. The first two sections have given a foundation and a core sampling; now he is dealing with practical preaching instruction.

Finally, Wiersbe provides three appendices in which he discusses Questions Preachers and Teachers Ask, A Short History of the Imagination, and Imagination and Myth. His 400-page book has provided much food for thought and has made a start into opening up a discussion concerning the role of imagination in biblical preaching.

Evaluation

Preaching and Teaching With Imagination: The Quest for Biblical Ministry is an attempt to repair a deficiency in today’s role of expository preaching. From Wiersbe’s perspective, preaching has become stale, dry, dull, and ineffective – not because of the truth of the content. Rather, the problem lies in the style of the presentation. The living Word is preached as though it is dead words from an ancient book. This ought not to be.

Wiersbe states, “Biblical preaching means declaring God’s truth the way He declared it, and that means with imagination.” When hermeneutics is equal to analyzing, homiletics is equal to organizing, and preaching equals catechizing, then Wiersbe is right to speak up and be heard. Yet in addressing these legitimate concerns, the writer makes statements that are concerning: “These and other examples demonstrate that it takes more than a left-brain exegesis and analysis, important as they are, to open up the treasures of the Bible.” Should the reader take this to mean that the normal, historical-grammatical approach to interpreting Scriptures is insufficient to discover a text’s meaning?

Wiersbe quotes Tozer approvingly when he states, “He could see the soul of the text while the Pharisee could see only the body, and he could always prove Christ wrong by an appeal to the letter of the law or to an interpretation hallowed by tradition.” Tozer is discoursing upon the value of a sanctified imagination. Yet the reader is left with a disturbing question, “How does the interpreter know that his imagination has led him to the soul of the passage? How is this any different from allegorizing?” Statements that move an interpreter away from a historical-grammatical approach removes boundaries meant to help one arrive at the single meaning of a text.

Again, consider this final statement from Wiersbe that generates the same concern: “Suppose Nathan had preached a doctrinal homily to David, dealing with such abstractions as sin, marriage, and injustice? Would the king have responded as he did? Probably not.” Wiersbe enters an assumption that cannot be validated or invalidated. In effect, the assumption implies that doctrinal preaching cannot bring about a conviction of the heart like telling a story can. From what has been written by this writer on numerous occasions, this implication seems out of character. Yet, it reinforces a reoccurring concern found throughout the book.

Another weakness stems from Wiersbe’s overestimated importance of metaphors. The task of preaching is to “weld together imagination and experience and metaphor is one of the tools we can use to accomplish this purpose…this kind of preaching will give the Holy Spirit something to work with…” The implications provide a strong accusation: the preacher who refuses to preach creatively (with imagination) does not provide the Spirit the tools needed to bring about change – that is, the Word of God is insufficient by itself.

For the types of statements that provide genuine concern, one should not get the idea that the book has no merit or value. Perhaps the concerning statements stem from the fact that the writer is outside his field. This book is not the normal “Be…” commentary or the expositional outlines with which his readers are accustomed. Yet, one of the strengths of this book comes from the fact that Wiersbe is willing to leave his comfort zone to at least begin the discussion. He seems to implore some other writer to polish what he has started. Expert or no, he has determined that he cannot sit idly by while Christians are bored to death in the pews.

Wiersbe states that there is a difference between treating your facts with imagination and imagining your facts. He is not advocating creating a “fantasy world of preaching.” Instead, he is seeking to cause preachers and teachers to flesh out some of the pictures that the original languages convey. He is asking communicators and expositors of the word to not be satisfied with having their sermons heard. No – Wiersbe believes that the living Word of God when it is preached deserves to be seen. The ear should be transformed into an eye that visualizes the sermon. The audience is taking a journey with the preacher.

One final strength of this book is that Wiersbe is pulling for the preacher. He knows that if a sermon can come alive for the members, they will not forget it. If it is a picture that is indelibly impressed upon their minds, then they can meditate upon it long after Sunday is over. If they can meditate upon it, then they can act upon it. If they act upon it, then the preacher has accomplished what Paul prayed for the Galatians: “that Christ be formed in you.” If preachers can utilize their God-given creative juices to preach these types of sermons, then the price of Wiersbe’s book is but a small investment to pay for that type of life change.

BI 101 Old Testament SurveyPage 1 of 1J. Michael Lester