Old Testament Law and History

Course ID:CBB-101

Course Description
A survey of the historical writings of the Old Testament from Genesis through Esther.

Special Provisions
Upon meritorious completion of the course (generally with a grade of B or better), you receive not only a Hadley certificate of achievement, but also a recognition card from the Evangelical Training Association of Wheaton, Illinois. Upon meritorious completion of all four Hadley Bible courses, the student receives the Foundational Church Ministries Certificate from the Evangelical Training Association.

Important Note
Please note the media currently available in each Bible course. With cassettes no longer available in all courses, this could affect your ability to earn the Foundational Church Ministries Certificate from the Evangelical Training Association.

Media
Braille

Organization
12 lessons

Credit
1/2 Carnegie Unit upon completion of both Old Testament Law and History and Old Testament Poetry and Prophecy

Course Details
Each lesson is followed by an examination consisting of about 10 objective questions. All examinations are graded according to the accuracy and depth of your thought, without regard to doctrinal position. In the study of each lesson, you are encouraged to read the relevant Scriptures as extensively and inquisitively as possible.

Prerequisite
Access to a complete Bible in a usable format.

Grading
Letter grade A-F

Average Completion Time
Six to 12 months
Course Materials
Textbook: Old Testament Law and History by Samuel J. Schultz (Evangelical Training Association, Wheaton, Illinois, 1968) in two braille volumes or five cassettes

Objectives and Content

Objectives:
To understand the historical background of the five law books of the Old Testament.
To understand the historical background of the 12 historical books of the Old Testament.
To survey the literary and doctrinal content of the first 17 books in the Old Testament.

DIVISION 1. LAW
Lesson 1. Beginnings: Genesis 1-11
Significance of the Old Testament; seven divisions of Old Testament history; the events of creation; the fall of man; Noah's flood; the tower of Babel.

Lesson 2. The Patriarchs: Genesis 12-50
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

Lesson 3. God's Holy Nation: Exodus and Leviticus
Enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt; Moses' mission; deliverance from Egypt; standards for the life of the nation.

Lesson 4. Looking Forward to Canaan: Numbers and Deuteronomy
Wanderings and rebellions in the wilderness; restatement of the law.

DIVISION 2. HISTORY
Lesson 5. Possessing the Promised Land: Joshua, Judges, and Ruth
Conquest of Canaan; division of the land; three centuries of political instability; a story of love and redemption.

Lesson 6. Time of Transition: I Samuel
Conflict with the Philistines; Samuel's mission; the reign of Saul; the rise of David.

Lesson 7. The Reign of David: 2 Samuel and I Chronicles
Domestic and military success; desire to build a temple; David's sin and Absalom's rebellion; final days of David's reign.

Lesson 8. The Solomonic Kingdom: I Kings 1-11; II Chronicles 1-9
Solomon's wisdom and wealth; the building and dedication of the temple; Solomon's apostasy.

Lesson 9. The Northern Kingdom: I Kings 12-22; II Kings 1-17
Instability and idolatry; Omri, Ahab, and Jezebel as international figures; weakness under King Jehu; national extension under King Jeroboam II; final decline; overthrow by Assyria.

Lesson 10. The Kingdom of Judah—Rehoboam to Jotham: I Kings 12-22; II Chronicles 10-27
King Asa's religious revival; King Jehoshaphats uneasy cooperation with the northern kingdom; military strength and wealth under King Uzziah; opposition to Assyria.

Lesson 11. The Kingdom of Judah-Ahaz to Zedekiah: II Kings 16-25; II Chronicles 28-36
Wickedness of Ahaz; wise counsel of Isaiah; prayerfulness of Hezekiah; wickedness of Manasseh; revival under King Josiah; disintegration of the monarchy; fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians.

Lesson 12. Beyond the Exile: Ezra, Esther, and Nehemiah
First return to Jerusalem; building of the second temple; the feast of Purim; Ezra's restoration of the law; Nehemiah's rebuilding of Jerusalem.