United Theological CollegeZimbabwe
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Introduction to the Old Testament

Short courses you can take from anywhere, with a certificate at the end.

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From creation to the kingdom and wisdom: reading the Old Testament critically and in context

Beginner · 4 hours · Free · Certificate on completion · Taught by J. Bonga

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This course is for pastors, evangelists, lay leaders and anyone who wants a solid first introduction to the academic study of the Old Testament. It surveys the land, history and religious world of ancient Israel, the debates on inspiration and canon, and the main critical methods scholars use to read the text.

You will then work through the Pentateuch, the settlement in Canaan, the rise and division of the monarchy, and the wisdom books, asking at each stage what these texts meant in their own setting and what they can say to the church and society in Zimbabwe today, including on reconciliation and land.

What you will learn

  • Describe the geography, history and religious background of the Old Testament world
  • Explain the main theories of inspiration and how the Old Testament canon was formed
  • Use source, form and redaction criticism at an introductory level
  • Discuss key scholarly debates on the patriarchs, the Exodus and the settlement in Canaan
  • Outline the rise and division of Israel’s monarchy and the main features of the wisdom books
  • Relate Old Testament themes to contemporary Zimbabwean issues in a fair and informed way

Course outline

Unit 1: The World of the Old Testament (2)
  • The World of the Old Testament 10 min
  • Unit 1 quiz 10 min
Unit 2: Theories of Inspiration (2)
  • Theories of Inspiration 10 min
  • Unit 2 quiz 10 min
Unit 3: Critical Methods: Source, Form and Redaction (2)
  • Critical Methods: Source, Form and Redaction 10 min
  • Unit 3 quiz 10 min
Unit 4: The Canonisation of the Old Testament (2)
  • The Canonisation of the Old Testament 10 min
  • Unit 4 quiz 10 min
Unit 5: Primeval History: Creation and Flood (2)
  • Primeval History: Creation and Flood 10 min
  • Unit 5 quiz 10 min
Unit 6: The Patriarchs: History, Origins and Religion (2)
  • The Patriarchs: History, Origins and Religion 10 min
  • Unit 6 quiz 10 min
Unit 7: The Joseph Story and Reconciliation (2)
  • The Joseph Story and Reconciliation 10 min
  • Unit 7 quiz 10 min
Unit 8: Moses, the Exodus, Covenant and Law (2)
  • Moses, the Exodus, Covenant and Law 10 min
  • Unit 8 quiz 10 min
Unit 9: Settlement in Canaan and the Land Question (2)
  • Settlement in Canaan and the Land Question 10 min
  • Unit 9 quiz 10 min
Unit 10: Samuel and the Rise and Division of the Monarchy (2)
  • Samuel and the Rise and Division of the Monarchy 10 min
  • Unit 10 quiz 10 min
Unit 11: Wisdom Literature and the Psalms (2)
  • Wisdom Literature and the Psalms 10 min
  • Unit 11 quiz 10 min

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