Toronto Baptist Seminary & Bible College

Old Testament Biblical Theology and History II

BibTh 203 / BibTh 223
Spring Semester 2015

Professor: Peter J. Gentry Issued Spring, 2015

SYLLABUS

Course Description:

This course is designed to introduce the student to the Prophets and Writings (Job-
Malachi) of the Old Testament in the English Bible, including a consideration of critical,
historical, and hermeneutical issues.

Course Objectives:

1. To gain a general introduction to and overview of the biblical texts from Job through
Malachi.

2. To appreciate the contribution of the Old Testament to the metanarrative of Holy

Scripture and to a Christian Worldview.

3. To consider issues of canon and textual transmission foundational to the study of

the Old Testament.

4. To gain a general understanding of the world of the Old Testament and to develop
skill in the interpretation of Hebrew literature and the appropriate use of secondary
literature in the process of interpretation.

5. To be introduced to modern critical approaches to the study of biblical texts, such

as form, literary, rhetorical and source analysis.

6. To become convinced of the authority and relevance of the message of the Old
Testament for the modern world.

Course Requirements:

1. Class Attendance. The class meets on Fridays (Jan. 23, Feb. 6, 13, Mar. 6, 20, Apr. 10)
8:00 AM – Noon, 1:00 – 2:50 PM as per TBS Class Schedule. As the achievement of
the course objectives depends heavily upon class participation, attendance will be
taken at each session. Students who miss 10% of class meetings should schedule an
appointment with the professor to discuss attendance. Students who miss more
than 20% will automatically receive an "F" for the course.

2. Readings.
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a. Primary Sources. Students are required to read in their entirety the biblical books
Job-Malachi. For this purpose, a dynamic translation is appropriate (such as the
New International Version), but for serious study a literal translation (such as the
New American Standard Bible) is required (unless, of course one knows Hebrew
and Aramaic).

b. Secondary Sources. Readings in both primary sources and secondary literature

are assigned to provide background for understanding the biblical texts and the
lectures as well as to provide alternative approaches and viewpoints. Most of the
required readings are FROM THE FIRST TWO TEXTS. Only minor portions of
other texts are required (as per class schedule) plus articles.

BOOKS:

Archer, Gleason L., Jr. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Revised and
Expanded Edition. Chicago: Moody, 1964, 1974, 1994.

Dempster, Stephen G. Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew Bible.

New Studies in Biblical Theology, 15. Downers Grove: IVP, 2003.

•—•
Cate, Robert L. An Introduction to the Old Testament and its Study. Nashville:
Broadman, 1987.

George, Andrew. The Epic of Gilgamesh: A New Translation. New York: Barnes
& Noble, 1999.

Kidner, Derek. Psalms 1-72: An Introduction & Commentary. Tyndale Old Tes-
tament Commentaries 14a. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973.

LaSor, William S., David A. Hubbard, and Frederic Wm. Bush. Old Testament
Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament. Second
Edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996. (Abbreviated LHB)

Oswalt, John N. The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 1-39. The New International
Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986.

Oswalt, John N. The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 40-66. The New International
Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.

Packer, James I. Knowing God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1973.

Sandars, N. K. The Epic of Gilgamesh: An English Version with an Introduction.

Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1972.

Young, E. J. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964.

ARTICLES:

Berlin, Adele. “Parallelism.” The Anchor Bible Dictionary. New York: Doubleday,
1992. Vol. V, 155-62.
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Kitchen, Kenneth A. “Proverbs and Wisdom Books of the Ancient Near East: The
Factual History of a Literary Form.” Tyndale Bulletin 28 (1977/1978): 69-114.

Millard, Alan R. “Daniel 1-6 and History.” Evangelical Quarterly 49 (1977): 67-73.

Pritchard, James B., ed. Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament.
3rd. ed. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1969 (cited as ANET). “The Epic
of Gilgamesh,” 72-99, 503-507; “The Instruction of Amen-em-Opet,” 421-425.

Waltke, Bruce K. “A Canonical Process Approach to the Psalms.” In Tradition and

Testament edited by John Feinberg. Chicago: Moody Press, 1982.

Yamauchi, Edwin M. “The Archaeological Background of Daniel. Archaeological

Backgrounds of the Exilic and Post Exilic Era Part 1.” Bibliotheca Sacra 137
(1980): 3-16.

Yamauchi, Edwin M. “Hermeneutical Issues in the Book of Daniel.” JETS 23/1

(1980): 13-21.

RECOMMENDED REFERENCE WORKS:

Dumbrell, William J. The Faith of Israel. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.

Harrison, R. K. Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1969.

3. Quizzes and Examinations. Twelve quizzes will be given during the course at the
BEGINNING of each class meeting as per Course Schedule (infra). The quizzes are
designed to test basic comprehension of the readings in the primary and secondary
texts (excluding articles). Only the best eleven quiz scores will be counted. In addi-
tion, two examinations will be administered to test the students’ understanding of
the materials provided in the lectures and the assigned readings.

4. Written Assignments:

a. Reviews

Each student will submit a 2-3 page review of the essays by Berlin, Kitchen,
Millard, Yamauchi, and Waltke. The five reviews should include both a concise
summary of the essay and a critical evaluation of the author's thesis.

b. Short Papers

Prepare two five page papers, as follows:

(1) “The Epic of Gilgamesh” – Read the full text of The Epic of Gilgamesh in either
the edition of A. George, N. K. Sandars, or A. K. Grayson and E. A. Speiser (ANET).
Begin by comparing and contrasting this text with the questions concerning Life and
Death raised in Deuteronomy 30 and Proverbs 30. Include in your consideration any
evidence elsewhere in the Book of Proverbs which addresses the question of life
after death.
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(2) “The Instruction of Amen-em-Opet” – Read the full text of The Instruction of
Amen-em-Opet and compare such sayings from ancient Egypt in both content as
well as form with Proverbs 22:17-24:22. Can comparisons be also made between
this text in content and/or form and that of the “The Father’s Praise of Wisdom”
in Proverbs 1-9?

All written work is to be submitted in typed format. Acknowledge fully all borrowed
ideas in appropriately designed footnotes (for which please see the Seminary Manual of
Style).

Course Evaluation and Grading Scale:

Quizzes (20) 20
Reviews (5 x 4) 20
Short Paper (2 x 10) 20
Mid-Term Test 15
Final Examination 25
Total 100

97 – 100 A+
90 – 96 A Excellent
80 – 89 A-
77 – 79 B+
73 – 76 B Good
70 – 72 B-
67 – 69 C+
63 – 66 C Adequate
60 – 62 C-
57 – 59 D+
53 – 56 D Marginal Pass
50 – 52 D-

Course Schedule:

Week Lecture Topics Readings for Quizzes Written

Assignment

00 Proverbs Psalms 1-75 (Included on Quiz 3

16.01 Dempster 15-51 in Second Week)

01 Proverbs Proverbs Quiz 1

23.01 Dempster 55-92
LHB 447-470
Dempster 15-51 Gilgamesh

Proverbs Job Quiz 2

Dempster 93-123
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Archer 428-443 Berlin

02 Psalms Psalms 76-150 Quiz 3 (Ps 1-150)

06.01 Archer 411-427
Dempster 125-156
Kidner 7-18 Waltke

Psalms, Job Ecclesiastes, Quiz 4

Song of Songs
Archer 444-458
LHB 221-230
Packer 99-108 (Eccl)

03 Job, Ecclesiastes, Song Amos, Hosea Quiz 5

13.02 Cate 321-340
Young 202-227 (Isaiah)

Isaiah Isaiah Quiz 6

Archer 307-331
LHB 276-288
Oswalt 1986, 17-29
Oswalt 1998, 3-6 Kitchen

04 Isaiah, Jeremiah Jeremiah, Lamentations Quiz 7

06.03 Dempster 159-189
Archer 340-348
LBH 328-355

Lamentations, Ezekiel Micah, Jonah Quiz 8

Archer 297-306 Amen-em-Opet

05 The Twelve Ezekiel Quiz 9

20.03 Dempster 191-234
Archer 349-360
LBH 356-369

The Twelve Joel, Obadiah, Nahum, Quiz 10

Habakkuk, Zephaniah
LHB 566-582
Young 360-377 (Daniel)
Archer 275-296 Millard
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06 Daniel Daniel Quiz 11

10.04 Cate 499-513
Archer 361-382

The Twelve Haggai, Zechariah, Quiz 12

Malachi
Archer 332-339
Archer 400-410 Yamauchi (2)

Notes

a. In order to ensure full participation, any student with a disabling condition re-
quiring special accommodations (e.g., tape recorders, special adaptive equipment, spe-
cial note taking or test-taking needs) is strongly encouraged to contact the professor at
the beginning of the course.

b. Guidelines for papers submitted in this course are found in the Seminary Manual
of Style available on the TBS Website.

c. Disclaimer: This syllabus is intended to reflect accurately the course description,

content outline, course objectives, grading criteria, examination dates, policy on absen-
ces, course bibliography and other information necessary to appraise the course. During
the course of the semester, however, the professor reserves the right to modify any
portion of this syllabus as may appear necessary because of events and circumstances
that change during the semester.

On the Use of Computers (and Other Devices) in Class 
  
Your full attention is to be given to course lectures and discussions, and your computer is to be used for 
taking notes and not for other purposes. Among other activities, you are not permitted to read and an‐
swer emails, shop online, engage on social networking sites, read blogs, and use the internet. You are not 
to use phones and other devices to call people, text people, pay your bills, get updates about your 
favorite sports teams, and the like.  
  
If you see a fellow student engaged in prohibited activity involving a computer or other device, please tell 
him or her to stop. If the activity persists or repeats itself later in the course, please inform me so that I 
can intervene. I will issue one warning without any penalty. A reoccurrence will result in lowering one’s 
grade one full letter grade. A second reoccurrence will result in a failing grade.  
  
Break times are the appropriate opportunities for emailing, texting, etc.; class time is for learning 
theology. 
  
Please understand the spirit with which these instructions are given, and out of respect for your 
instructor, your fellow students, and the Lord, please follow them. 
  
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Significant Names and Chapters

For Old Testament Introduction Quizzes
Psalms

Asaph, Heman, Ethan, David, Solomon

Zion, Sinai/Horeb, Zaphon, Sheol, Red Sea

Proverbs

Solomon, David, Hezekiah, Agur, King Lemuel, Lady Wisdom, Dame Folly

Job

Yahweh, the Satan, Job, Job’s wife, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, Elihu, Leviathan,
Behemoth

Ecclesiastes/Qoheleth

Solomon, David, Qoheleth (“the Preacher”)

Songs of Songs/Canticles

Solomon, Jerusalem, Hermon, the Shulammite

Amos

Amos, Uzziah, Jeroboam II, Amorites, cows of Bashan, Amaziah

Joel

Joel

Zion, Jerusalem, Judah

Day of Yahweh, locust

Obadiah

Obadiah, Esau

Edom, Teman, Zion

Nahum

Nahum

Nineveh

Habakkuk

Habakkuk, Chaldeans
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Zephaniah

Zephaniah, Baal, Milkom

Zion, Philistia, Assyria

Haggai

Darius, Haggai, Joshua, Zerubbabel

Zion

Zechariah

The Branch, Darius, David, Joshua, the Satan, Zechariah

Jerusalem, Judah, Zion

Malachi

Elijah, Esau, Jacob, Levi, Malachi

Jerusalem