**Course Title:** Old Testament Survey
**Course Duration:** 8 Weeks
**Weekly Schedule:** 2 hours/week
**Week 1 – Introduction to the Old Testament**
**Reference:** *An Introduction to the Old Testament* by Tremper Longman III & Raymond B. Dillard
– **Hour 1:** Overview of the Old Testament’s structure, key figures, and primary messages.
– **Hour 2:** Historical timeline of Old Testament events and writings.
**Week 2 – The Pentateuch: Genesis to Deuteronomy**
**Reference:** *The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary* by John H. Sailhamer
– **Hour 1:** Study of the narrative arc from Creation through the patriarchs.
– **Hour 2:** The Exodus, Sinai covenant, and establishment of Israelite law.
**Week 3 – Historical Books: Joshua to Esther**
**Reference:** *A Survey of Israel’s History* by Leon J. Wood
– **Hour 1:** Conquest of Canaan and the era of judges.
– **Hour 2:** The monarchy’s rise and fall, leading to the exile and return.
**Week 4 – Wisdom Literature: Job to Song of Solomon**
**Reference:** *The Wisdom Literature* by Richard J. Clifford
– **Hour 1:** Job’s theodicy and the practical maxims of Proverbs.
– **Hour 2:** The existential exploration in Ecclesiastes and the allegorical Song of Solomon.
**Week 5 – Major Prophets: Isaiah to Daniel**
**Reference:** *The Prophetic Literature: An Introduction* by David L. Petersen
– **Hour 1:** Role and calling of prophets; highlights from Isaiah’s prophecies.
– **Hour 2:** Jeremiah’s lamentations and apocalyptic visions in Daniel.
**Week 6 – Minor Prophets: Hosea to Malachi**
**Reference:** *The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary* by Thomas Edward McComiskey
– **Hour 1:** Hosea’s symbolic marriage and themes of love and betrayal.
– **Hour 2:** Calls for social justice in Amos and Malachi’s prophecies of the “Day of the Lord.”
**Week 7 – Theological Themes and Literary Structures**
**Reference:** *Old Testament Theology: Reading the Hebrew Bible as Christian Scripture* by R.W.L. Moberly
– **Hour 1:** The covenant as central theme; promise theology in the Old Testament.
– **Hour 2:** Literary techniques, including parallelism, chiasmus, and inclusio.
**Week 8 – Recap and Contemporary Relevance**
**Reference:** *The Old Testament: A Very Short Introduction* by Michael D. Coogan
– **Hour 1:** Review of key concepts and themes.
– **Hour 2:** Relevance of Old Testament studies today, with a focus on interfaith dialogues and modern-day applications.