OT 1000
3 hours
Biblical Hebrew
This course introduces basic elements of the Hebrew language. Lectures and small group sessions cover the Hebrew alphabet, pronunciation, and elementary grammatical structures.
OT 1001
3 hours
Outline of the Old Testament
This course is designed to provide a brief overview of the Old Testament Scriptures which consist of such diverse writings as Pentateuch, Historical Writings, Wisdom Literature, Prophets.
OT 1002
3 hours
The Theology of the OT
This course will investigate the central theological messages of the Old Testament Scriptures from a biblical-theological perspective. The study of OT biblical theology includes: (1) the history, definition, task, method, and goal of biblical theology; (2) the attempt to identify the “center” of biblical theology as a way of understanding the relationship of the various parts to the whole; and (3) selected themes in biblical theology as the threads that make up the fabric of the biblical canon.
OT 1003
3 hours
Genesis
This course takes an expository approach to the major messages in the history of redemption: creation, promises and fulfillment, and God’s covenant with Abraham and his offspring, which provides a fundamental, theological basis for what follows in later salvation history.
OT 1004
3 hours
Exodus
Exodus is the second of the first five books of the OT, which are often referred to collectively as ‘Torah’ or ‘Pentateuch.’ This course will cover such issues as the author, date and historical context, key themes and central messages, purpose, occasion and background, and literary features of this book.
OT 1005
3 hours
Leviticus
Leviticus is the third of the Pentateuch. This course will study the author, date and title, purpose, occasion, and background, key themes and central messages, and interpretative issues of this book. Leviticus should be considered a continuation of Exodus, but it is a difficult book because modern readers have no firsthand knowledge of ancient rituals and sacrificial systems. This course can be a helpful guide to the messages this book intends to deliver.
OT 1006
3 hours
Numbers
Numbers is the fourth of the Pentateuch. This course will deal with such issues as author, date, title, key themes and central messages, purpose, occasion, and background, literary features of the book. The events of Numbers are often mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. Its episodes are regarded as showcase examples of Israel’s sinfulness and God’s reaction to it. The NT also draws on this book to make similar points for the New Testament church. This course can be a helpful guide in this respect.
OT 1007
3 hours
Deuteronomy
This book has been known to be written by Moses (31:9), and the bulk of chapters 1-30 is the speech of Moses to Israel in the plains of Moab at the end of the wilderness period and immediately preceding the conquest under Joshua. This course will deal with such issues as the author, title, date, literary structure, purpose, occasion and background, key themes and central messages, especially ethics of the book.
OT 1008
3 hours
Joshua and Judges
This course will overview the literature, history, key themes and central messages of the books, and pay special attention to the relevance of the books for the church and world today.
OT 1009
3 hours
Historical Writings
This course will cover such historical writings as 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles, paying attention to such issues as the author, title, date, purpose, occasion, and background, key themes and central messages, literary features of the books.
OT 1010
3 hours
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther and Ruth
This course will deal with such issues as the author, title, date, purpose, occasion, background, key themes and central messages, literary features of the books. The primary form of these writings is historical narrative, especially a story that narrates the return of groups of people to their homeland after the exile. This course will try to find out what theological messages they intend to covey to the later generations after the exile.
OT 1011
3 hours
Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes
This course will study Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, paying special attention to such issues as the author, date, purpose, occasion, background, key themes and central messages, literary features of the books.
OT 1012
3 hours
Job
Job is one of the most profound books of the Bible, whose author can be found among the wise. He was a well-traveled person who could draw on a wealth of knowledge and experience. This course will study such issues as the author, date, theological themes, purpose, occasion, background, and literary features of the book.
OT 1013
3 hours
Isaiah
Isaiah is one of the major prophetic writings in the OT scripture, and this is an important book which a number of the NT authors draw on this book to validate their arguments. This course provides an expository study of the message and times of the prophet and also deal with such issues as the author, title, date, key themes, purpose, occasion, background, literary features, central messages of this book.
OT 1014
3 hours
Jeremian and Lamentations
Jeremiah is one of the major prophetic writings in the OT scripture. This course provides an expository study of the message and times of the prophet Jeremiah that emphasizes the themes like the Day of the Lord, judgment, New Covenant, restoration, promise and fulfillment, Messiah, and the new people of God, and will also cover such issues as the author, occasion, purpose, key themes and central messages, literary features of the book.
OT 1015
3 hours
Ezekiel
This is one of the major prophetic writings in the OT scriptures. This course offers an expository study of the message and times of the prophet Ezekiel that emphasizes the themes like the Day of the Lord, judgment, New Covenant, restoration, and the new people of God, and also deals with such issues as the author, title, purpose, occasion, background, literary features, key themes and central messages of the book.
This is one of the major prophetic writings in the OT scriptures. This course offers an expository study of the message and times of the prophet Ezekiel that emphasizes the themes like the Day of the Lord, judgment, New Covenant, restoration, and the new people of God, and also deals with such issues as the author, title, purpose, occasion, background, literary features, key themes and central messages of the book.
OT 1016
3 hours
Daniel and Zephaniah
The book of Daniel, named after and written by Daniel in the sixth century B.C., records the events of his life and the visions he saw from the time of his exile in 605 (1:1) until the third year of King Cyrus (536; 10:1), and the prophecy of Zephaniah takes place during the reign of Josiah (640-609 B.C.), who was known as reforming king, trying to reestablish acceptable worship practices that had already fallen out of use since the time of his great-grandfather Hezekiah. These two books have been known as those of important apocalyptic writings in the OT scripture. This course provides an expository study of the message and times of the two prophets and also deals with such issues as the author, title, occasion, purpose, background, literary features, key themes and central messages of the books.
OT 1017
3 hours
Amos and Hosea
This course offers an expository study of the message and times of the two prophets. The theme of Amos is the universal justice of God. Although the Israelites clearly expected the Day of the Lord when all their enemies would be judged, they were not prepared for the coming judgment day upon them. And the theme of Hosea is also Israel’s unfaithfulness which is depicted with a number of images from family and nature. This course will cover such traditional issues as the author, occasion, background, key themes and central messages, literary features of the books.
OT 1018
3 hours
Minor Prophets
This course is an expository study of the messages and times of the Minor Prophets such as Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi that emphasize the themes like the Day of the Lord, judgment, restoration, promise and fulfillment, Messiah, and the new people of God, and will also cover such traditional issues as the author, title, occasion, purpose, background, literary features, key themes and central messages of the prophetic writings.
OT 1019
3 hours
The History of Israel
This course will explore the history of salvation in the OT, which prepares the way for Christ. After God created the world, Adam’s fall disrupted the harmony. He purposed to renew the world and fallen mankind through his covenant with Abraham. Christ is Abraham’s one single legitimate offspring who brings climatic victory (Heb. 2:14-15). This course will trace how God’s redemptive plan has been actualized through Israel’s history from Genesis to Malachi.
OT 1020
3 hours
The OT Seminar
IGSB can freely provide a special opportunity for guest lecturers to deliver lectures with reference to specific Old Testament themes or subjects.
OT 1021
Thesis Writing
Every graduate student who has finished all credits required for graduation is obligated to write a Th.M. or Ph.D. thesis according to the IGSB regulations about thesis writing and submit it to the academic dean of IGSB.