As we continue our study of the Old Testament, I thought you might be interested in this video on the accuracy of the Old Testament texts.
Former Prophets Lecture
You can find a helpful list of the kings of Israel and Judah here that might be worth printing off.
One of my favourite parts of 1 & 2 Kings is the Elijah stories. I wrote an article on Elijah for the American Journal of Biblical Theology that you can read here.
Latter Prophets Lecture
Please note that the ninth of the minor prophets is missing from your lecture notes. Please add in your notes:
9) Zephaniah = "The Lord Hides"
Date: 625 BC
"Be silent before the LORD God! For the day of the LORD is near, for the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests." (Zephaniah 1:7, NASB)
Historical Time-Line
721 BC - Assyrians conquer northern kingdom of Israel
612 BC - Babylon conquers Nineveh (Assyrian Empire)
605 BC - Babylon exerts influence over Judah
597 BC - Babylon attacks Judah
586 BC - Babylon destroys Jerusalem and Temple
539 BC - Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
538 BC - Cyrus releases Jews from Babylonian Captivity
536 BC - Work begins to rebuild Temple
516 BC - Second Temple is dedicated
You can find a helpful list of biblical prophets here that you might like to print off.
You can read an article arguing for the unity of the Book of Isaiah here.
Writings Lecture
Questions for Discussion
In what way are the Former Prophets prophetic?
Was David a good king or a bad king? In what way? (Read 2 Samuel)
Compare the prophets Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 9). How are they similar or different?
How do you think the name 'Cyrus' appeared in the Book of Isaiah a hundred years before he was born? Why?
What is your favourite Psalm? Why?
Read the Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes. Do you understand why the Jewish rabbis were unsure about these books?
Why do you think that God is never mentioned in Esther?
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Unit Two: Old Testament I
The Old Testament was the Bible that Jesus and the earliest Christians had and it is imperative that we have some understanding of it.
Old Testament Issues Lecture
Old Testament Canon Lecture
Old Testament Texts Lecture
For a Jewish tradition about the Greek translation of the Old Testament, go to this link which includes an on-line version of the Jewish writing The Letter of Aristeas.
Torah Lecture
Some people question Moses' authorship of the Torah. Go to this link for a brief introduction to the issues.
Go to this link for a discussion of the date of the Exodus out of Egypt.
Questions for Discussion
What is the difference between the Jewish and Christian order of the Old Testament?
Does a longer process of developing the canon (authoritative collection of books) fit with the doctrine of inspiration? How or how not?
Why would the New Testament writers quote from the Greek Bible rather than the Hebrew Bible?
Do you think the account of the flood in Genesis and that in the Epic of Gilgamesh are related? Why?
Do you believe that Moses wrote the entire Torah? Do you believe that Moses wrote Deuteronomy 34:5-12? How does that fit with Inspiration?
Old Testament Issues Lecture
Old Testament Canon Lecture
Old Testament Texts Lecture
For a Jewish tradition about the Greek translation of the Old Testament, go to this link which includes an on-line version of the Jewish writing The Letter of Aristeas.
Torah Lecture
Some people question Moses' authorship of the Torah. Go to this link for a brief introduction to the issues.
Go to this link for a discussion of the date of the Exodus out of Egypt.
Questions for Discussion
What is the difference between the Jewish and Christian order of the Old Testament?
Does a longer process of developing the canon (authoritative collection of books) fit with the doctrine of inspiration? How or how not?
Why would the New Testament writers quote from the Greek Bible rather than the Hebrew Bible?
Do you think the account of the flood in Genesis and that in the Epic of Gilgamesh are related? Why?
Do you believe that Moses wrote the entire Torah? Do you believe that Moses wrote Deuteronomy 34:5-12? How does that fit with Inspiration?
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Unit One: Introductory Issues
I apologize for the quiet nature of the audio, if you turn your speakers up it should be quite clear. Please follow along with your lecture notes.
Revelation Lecture
For further information, go here for a discussion of types of revelation.
Inspiration Lecture
Go here for a discussion of inspiration by 19th century theologian A.A. Hodge.
Inerrancy Lecture
Interpretation Lecture
Ben Witherington has some interesting thoughts on interpretation here.
I highly recommend this book in understanding issues of interpretation.
Questions for Discussion
What does general revelation tell us about God? What does special revelation tell us about God?
What do you think the Apostle Paul thought he was writing as he began the epistle to the Romans?
What is the difference between the Bible and a book like C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity (or what ever your favourite religious book is)?
Imagine that a letter was discovered in a cave in Israel claiming to be by an eyewitness of the events from Mark 6:30-44. After eating his fill, he was somehow able to count the crowd and discovered that there were 3,652 people rather than the 5,000. Would you conclude that the story and therefore the Bible was mistaken and untrustworthy? Why or why not?
What does inerrancy mean to you?
How do you determine when something in the Bible is literal and when it is symbolic?
These questions can be used for personal reflection or group discussion. I would also like to hear your comments and thoughts about what we have looked at here on this blog.
Revelation Lecture
For further information, go here for a discussion of types of revelation.
Inspiration Lecture
Go here for a discussion of inspiration by 19th century theologian A.A. Hodge.
Inerrancy Lecture
Interpretation Lecture
Ben Witherington has some interesting thoughts on interpretation here.
I highly recommend this book in understanding issues of interpretation.
Questions for Discussion
What does general revelation tell us about God? What does special revelation tell us about God?
What do you think the Apostle Paul thought he was writing as he began the epistle to the Romans?
What is the difference between the Bible and a book like C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity (or what ever your favourite religious book is)?
Imagine that a letter was discovered in a cave in Israel claiming to be by an eyewitness of the events from Mark 6:30-44. After eating his fill, he was somehow able to count the crowd and discovered that there were 3,652 people rather than the 5,000. Would you conclude that the story and therefore the Bible was mistaken and untrustworthy? Why or why not?
What does inerrancy mean to you?
How do you determine when something in the Bible is literal and when it is symbolic?
What do you find most confusing about the Bible?
These questions can be used for personal reflection or group discussion. I would also like to hear your comments and thoughts about what we have looked at here on this blog.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Introduction to the Bible Lecture Notes
The lecture notes for this course are now on-line. It is recommended that you print them off in preparation for the lecture that will be posted next week.
Course Lecture Notes
Course Lecture Notes
How to Post a Comment
It is strongly recommended that all students taking this course by Internet, post comments for each lecture. It can be as simple as saying "Yes, I read that" or as strong as "I totally disagree with you." You can leave questions, comments, ideas or information you have come across yourself.
How do you leave a comment? At the bottom of each lecture will be a link to comments. Click on that it will give you some options. If you have an account with Blogger/Blogspot, you can log in under that name and go from there. You can also choose "Nick Name" where you can type your name in. If you do not want to leave your name, choose "Anonymous." Then leave whatever comment that you would like. Once you have finished, type in the jumble of letters in the space provided for the word verification and click on "Publish your Comment."
I look forward to hearing what you have to say and I will do my best to answer your questions.
How do you leave a comment? At the bottom of each lecture will be a link to comments. Click on that it will give you some options. If you have an account with Blogger/Blogspot, you can log in under that name and go from there. You can also choose "Nick Name" where you can type your name in. If you do not want to leave your name, choose "Anonymous." Then leave whatever comment that you would like. Once you have finished, type in the jumble of letters in the space provided for the word verification and click on "Publish your Comment."
I look forward to hearing what you have to say and I will do my best to answer your questions.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Welcome to An Introduction to the Bible
Thank you for your interest in studying the Bible, its background and its importance for us today. The course will officially start on the week of January 15 but you are welcome to study at your own pace. Below you will find an audio welcome and a copy of the outline of the course. This will give you a sample of how the Internet version of the course will work. If you have any problems, please contact me immediately and I will do my best to get things working for you.
Welcome to an Introduction to the Bible
Course Outline
Welcome to an Introduction to the Bible
Course Outline
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