Department of Old Testament
Washington Reformed Seminary
In order to understand fully the unity of Gods revelation, both biblical theology and systematic theology are important. While biblical theology examines the roles and relations of passages in the unfolding plan of salvation, systematic theology approaches the themes of the Scriptures as a completed whole.
Exegetical Studies of OT, NT….. The bible is the inspired record of Gods revelation; a thorough knowledge of the original languages as well as the historical and cultural context of the writings is, therefore, essential to proper interpretation and communication of its message. Biblical Theology courses are offered in the Old and New Testament departments.
The Old and New Testament departments at WPS emphasize skill in careful exegesis, literary analysis and awareness of archaeological and historical insights as methods of exploring not only the meaning of a specific text, but also its role and contribution in the unity of the Scriptures. By preparing sound biblical scholars, these departments give students the foundation for other aspects of their education and ministry.
OT 401. Basic Hebrew Grammar. An Intensive study of the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of Bible Hebrew, including the study of selected OT passage.
OT 402. Advanced Hebrew. Orthography and essentials of morpho-phonemics and syntax. Translation and analysis of portions of the Old Testament.
OT 403. Hebrew Discourse Analysis. A study of Hebrew syntax and Hebrew discourse structure. Exegesis of selected Hebrew texts will be included. Extensive use of computerized Hebrew data base .
OT 504. the Old Testament Introduction . A Canon: doctrine, history of collection, classification, and attestation. Text: language, transmission, versions. Higher criticism: history, types, and current directions.
OT 505. The Background of Bible. This course is a study of geography, history, and archeology of the Bible world intended to provide a cultural and chronological work for the study of both the Old and New Testament. OT 506. Genesis. An exegesis of Genesis with special attention to its relationship to ancient Near Eastern literature and to its function in the whole of the Pentateuch. An study of the Book of genesis in its cultural and historical setting, with attention to its critical problems, theological content, literary features, exposition.
OT 507. Exodus. Exegesis focused on the interplay of theology and overall discourse structure. Special attention will be given to biblical-theological themes from Exodus which are developed throughout the rest of Scripture.
OT 508. Exegesis of Leviticus. An Exegetical study of the Book of Leviticus in its cultural historical setting, with attention to its critical problems, theological content, literary features, and modern exposition.
OT 509. the Pentateuch (Genesis->Deuteronomy). Introduction to biblical-theology and biblical history writing. Exegesis of significant passages of the Pentateuch with particular attention to their relationship to ancient Near Eastern literature and culture, the history of redemption, and the literary structure of the Pentateuch.
OT 510. Old Testament History I. A biblical -theological analysis of Old Testament history developed in terms of the covenant structure of the history of the kingdom of God, giving consideration to the Near Eastern historical and cultural setting of the biblical events, and dealing with the pre-redemptive and redemptive eras.
OT 511. Old Testament History II. This course deals with the period from the covenant of request of the land to the restoration period: theology, literature, and history in Joshua-Ezra/Nehemiah. Discussion of the synoptic issues surrounding the relation of Samuel/Kings to Chronicles. OT 512. Major Prophetic Books. This course is an exegetical study of one the Prophetic Books giving attention to their literary types, historical settings and relevance for contemporary society.
OT 513. The Book of Isaiah. An exegetical and biblical-theological approach to the Hebrew text of this majo prophet. The focus of the course will be on the close reading of the books themselves, but a broader outline.
OT 514. The Book of Ezekiel, Daniel. An exegetical and biblical-theological approach to the text. The focus of the course will be on the close reading of the book, but broader issues concerning the principles and methods of interpretation of apocalyptic and wisdom literature will be discussed.
OT 515. Jeremiah-Lamentations. The nature and history of prophetic institution and the canonical contribution of the prophets. Hermeneutics of the prophetic literature. Exegesis of selected passages; the Prophets in the history of scholarship.
OT 516. The Minor prophet Books I. The nature and history of the prophetic institution and the canonical contribution of the prophets. Hermeneutics of the prophetic literature. Exegesis of selected passages.
OT 517. The Minor prophet Books II. The nature and history of the prophetic institution and the canonical contribution of the prophets. Hermeneutics of the prophetic literature. Exegesis of selected passages.
OT 618. Holy Land Studies. Students may elect to take a course for credit during the winter term at the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem.
OT 619. Worship in Ancient IsraeL An exegetical and biblical-theological study of Old Testament forms of worship. Function and significance of priesthood, cleanliness, laws, tabernacle/temple, sacrifices. The place of the Psalms in cult.
OT 720. Christ in the Old Testament. The course examines the structure of the Old Testament to discover the dimension of promise that unifies the Scriptures. The broader context of the Old Testament is the history of redemption which points to the coming of Jesus Christ. The New Testament interpretation of the Old Testament Scriptures is true to the predictive and typological structure inherent in them.
OT 721. Old Testament Theology. A consideration of the basis, task, and method of biblical theology with an application of these to salvation history from creation to the united kingdom. Students are expected to develop their own biblical theology and to apply it to an assigned block writing.
OT 722. Bible and Archeology. This course is a survey of the topography, climate, historical times and archeology of the Bible lands designed to provide background for Bible Study.
OT 823. Old Testament Wisdom. Wisdom literature in the Old Testament and the literatures of the surrounding cultures. History of research. Introduction to Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Theology and motifs.
OT 824. Old Testament Poetics. An in-depth study of the nature of Hebrew poetry. The question of what distinguishes Hebrew poetry from prose. Critical study of traditional concepts of parallelism, meter, and other rhetorical devices leading to a method of research which will enable the student to analyze the form of Hebrew.
OT 825. O T Textual Criticism. A study of the history of the Hebrew text and versions of the O T with a view to establishing an accredited method of textual criticism for selected portions of the Old Testament.
OT 401. Basic Hebrew Grammar.
OT 402. Advanced Hebrew.
OT 403. Hebrew Discourse Analysis.
OT 504. the Old Testament Introduction
OT 505. the Background of Bible
OT 506. Genesis.
OT 507. Exodus.
OT 508. Exegesis of Leviticus.
OT 509. the Pentateuch (Genesis->Deuteronomy).
OT 510. Old Testament History I.
OT 511. Old Testament History II.
OT 512. Major Prophetic Books.
OT 513. The Book of Isaiah.
OT 514 The Book of Ezekiel, Daniel.
OT 515. Jeremiah-Lamentations.
OT 516. The Minor prophet Books I.
OT 617. The Minor prophet Books II.
OT 618. Holy Land Studies.
OT 619. Worship in Ancient Israel.
OT 720. Christ in the Old Testament.
OT 721. Old Testament Theology.
OT 722. Bible and Archeology
OT 823. Old Testament Wisdom.
OT 824. Old Testament Poetics.
OT 825. O T Textual Criticism.