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Old Testament Theology I: Pentateuch and Former Prophets

  1. Lesson One
    God, People, and the Bible
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    Introduction to the Book of Genesis
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. Lesson Three
    Creation and Structure of the Cosmos (Genesis 1)
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  4. Lesson Four
    The World of Mankind (Genesis 2)
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  5. Lesson Five
    The Fall and Fallenness (Genesis 3:1-13)
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  6. Lesson Six
    The Curses (Genesis 3:14-24)
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  7. Lesson Seven
    The Effects and Aftermath of the Fall (Genesis 3-4)
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  8. Lesson Eight
    The World of the Flood (Genesis 5:1-6:8)
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  9. Lesson Nine
    The Flood, Noahic Covenant, and Abram's Call and Commission (Genesis 6-12)
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  10. Lesson Ten
    Covenant and Redemption in the Bible
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  11. Lesson Eleven
    Covenant Commitment and Continuity in the Bible
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  12. Lesson Twelve
    In the Wilderness and at Sinai
    2 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  13. Lesson Thirteen
    Theophany and Law at Sinai (Exodus 19–20)
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  14. Lesson Fourteen
    The Book of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, and God’s Presence
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  15. Lesson Fifteen
    Introduction to the Levitical Regulations
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  16. Lesson Sixteen
    Levitical Regulations, Purity, and Holiness
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  17. Lesson Seventeen
    The Law, the Church, and the Christian Life­ - Part I
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  18. Lesson Eighteen
    The Law, the Church, and the Christian Life - Part II
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  19. Lesson Nineteen
    The Law, the Church, and the Christian Life - Part III
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  20. Lesson Twenty
    History and History Writing in Ancient Israel - Part I
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  21. Lesson Twenty-One
    History and History Writing in Ancient Israel - Part II
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  22. Lesson Twenty-Two
    The Book of Joshua
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  23. Lesson Twenty-Three
    The Period of the Judges and the Transition from Judge to King
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  24. Lesson Twenty-Four
    The Institutions of Priest and Prophet in Joshua Through Kings
    2 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  25. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment
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Lesson Overview

The Old Testament can be daunting. It is perceived by some as long, complex, and mired in ancient history.  However, this lesson sets the stage for a comprehensive course on how the Old Testament is foundational for interpreting the whole canon. As an introduction to the course and his method, Dr. Averbeck explains  the primary purpose of studying and teaching the Bible and introduces several principles that arise out of a verbal-plenary view of inspiration. He highlights certain attitudes that should permeate our approach to  God’s Word whether we study it personally or teach it to others. Finally, he applies his approach by offering a brief summary of the overall biblical story.

Lesson Objectives

When you complete this lesson, you should be able to:

  • State the most central purposes for teaching the Bible.
  • Make use of the basic ways of understanding and applying the Bible.
  • Consider the dynamic of the Holy Spirit in both learning and teaching the Bible.
  • Contemplate the interacting roles of God, people, and the Bible in understanding spiritual truths.
  • Gain an introductory glimpse into the theology of creation/rest and corruption/mess.

Personal Reflection

As you proceed through this lesson have the following question in mind.
How would you explain to a skeptic the concept of verbal-plenary inspiration of Scripture? How important is this concept in your personal theology?