A survey of the historical, literary, and cultural context of the Old Testament. This course is a prerequisite for all other Old Testament classes.

The following are intended learning outcomes specific to this course:

1. Recognize the content of the Old Testament (main characters & events)
2. Comprehend the historical background reflected in the Old Testament
3. Understand the history of the composition of the texts in the Old Testament
4. Know the literary character and structure evident within the various divisions of the Old Testament
5. Become familiar with various approaches related to the study of the Old Testament
6. Identify the main themes and theological concepts revealed in the Old Testament
7. Appreciate the significance of Scripture for Ancient Israel and its application in the Christian Church

The following are competencies for Ministry as outlined in the Sourcebook for Ministerial Development that will be addressed in this course:

1. Ability to identify the literary structure, the theological concepts and the main story line of the Old Testament (CN-1).
2. Ability to describe the historical and cultural contexts of the major sections of the Old Testament (CN-2).
3. Ability to describe the development of the canon and the historical and theological influences resulting in contemporary translations (CN5).

There are no prerequisites for this course.