BiTh 638 Old Testament Theology

Course Syllabus
Wheaton Graduate School
Andrew E. Hill


COURSE DESCRIPTION

An investigation of the major teachings of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament (HB/OT) in
light of the literary, historical, cultural, and religious contexts of ancient Israel with
emphasis placed upon important themes undergirding the relationship of the OT to the
NT. Attention is also given to a historical overview of the influential OT theologies and
the basic issues raised by biblical scholarship, as well as the function of the Old
Testament as Christian Scripture.

TEXTBOOKS

Hasel, G. Old Testament Theology: Basic Issues in the Current Debate. 4
th
ed. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
Routledge, R. Old Testament Theology: A Thematic Approach. Downers Grove: IVP,
2008.
Wright, C. J. H. Salvation Belongs to Our God: Celebrating the Bible's Central Story.
Downers Grove: IVP, 2008.

AIMS

The mission of the Biblical & Theological Studies Department is to help cultivate
Christians who are biblically rooted and theologically formed for church and society.
Therefore we offer undergraduate and graduate programs that foster biblical and
theological knowledge informed by rigorous, critical, and contemporary scholarship. We
promote the development of academic skills necessary for advanced study and service in
the church and society worldwide. We are committed to stimulating learning that bears
fruit in the lives of faithful thinking and witness for Christ and His Kingdom.

Specific course goals include:

Locate HB/OT theology in the larger theological enterprise.
Survey the history of approaches to HB/OT theology.
Introduce the major themes of HB/OT theology.
Recognize and appreciate the theological diversity and unity of the HB/OT.
Explore the canonical relationship of the HB/OT to the New Testament.
Examine the function of the HB/OT as Christian scripture (with attendant
implications for the life of the church and personal and corporate spiritual
formation)
Gain appreciation for diverse/global perspectives on HB/OT theology.
Gain skills in biblical theological research.

REQUIREMENTS/GRADING

Assigned Readings: 20%
Diversity/Global Theology Response Paper: 10%
Course Reader Response Paper: 10%
Research Paper: 60%

COURSE INFORMATION

Students are expected to complete Wheaton Graduate School Distributed Learning (DL) courses
within a one-year time frame. Once enrolled, students may access the BiTh 638 Old Testament
Theology course at the Blackboard link on the MyWheaton home page. MyWheaton
(my.wheaton.edu), is a Quick Link off the Wheaton College internet home page. Students enrolled in
BiTh 638 Old Testament Theology are expected to provide monthly reading progress reports to the
instructor via email. Students are also expected to schedule via email with the instructor at least two
Blackboard chats with the instructor during the course enrollment time frame (day and time to be
arranged at the mutual convenience of student and instructor).

Reading Log (see attached)

The student will submit a written statement declaring he or she has completed all the assigned readings
for the course (or the estimated percentage of reading accomplished by the due dates for posting of
course related materials), including the textbooks: Hasel, Routledge, and Wright and the essays in the
Course Reader (apart from those essays not selected for the Diversity/Global Response paper).

Response papers guidelines

Paper 1: Read one paired set of essays (outlined below) on a global theological perspective from the
Global Dictionary of Theology and The Global God. The student may choose to respond to essays
from a tradition which she or he shares or one that is different from his or her ethnic/racial heritage.
Write a 2-4 page paper responding to these questions in light of the readings: What I have learned
about God from the readings? What have I learned about the global church from the readings? What
have I learned about biblical interpretation from the readings? How is the theological perspective
encountered in the readings similar to and/or different from your theological tradition (including
identifying strengths and weaknesses if pertinent)?

African Theology: Balcomb/Kalu/Ware and Osei-Bonsu
Asian Theology: Tan/Lee and Ro
Hispanic/Latin American Theology: Aponte/Higueros/Martinez and Spencer



Assignment Due at the end of the first-third of the course calendar given the pace of completion
determined by the student (e.g., if a student is planning to complete the course in three months, the
first assignment is due at the end of one month from the date of enrollment; or at the end of two
months on a six month plan; or at the end of four months on a 12 month plan).

Paper 2: Write a 2-4 page paper responding to any one of the essays in the Course Reader to these
questions in light of the reading: What I have learned about God from the reading? What have I
learned about the discipline of OT Theology from the reading? What have I learned about biblical
interpretation from the reading? How is the theological perspective encountered in the reading similar
to and/or different from your theological tradition (including identifying strengths and weaknesses if
pertinent)?

Assignment Due at the end of the second-third of the course calendar given the pace of
completion determined by the student (e.g., if a student is planning to complete the course in three
months, the first assignment is due at the end of two months from the date of enrollment; or at the end
of four months on a six month plan; or at the end of eight months on a twelve month plan).

Research paper topic and guidelines

The student will write a 15-25 page research paper on a topic related to HB/OT theology. The student
may elect a topic for the research paper from the following categories:

a theme developed in the HB/OT canon
a theologically significant HB/OT word study
an exegesis of a particular HB/OT text that is theologically significant
an analysis of the theology of a particular book or portion of a book of the HB/OT
a study of the method and contribution(s) of a significant HB/OT theologian
a study of a particular theological issue or question
an assessment, critique, evaluation from a HB/OT perspective of a creedal statement

All written assignments must be typed (double spaced) and should reflect the standard rules of English
grammar and composition (see K. L. Turabian, et al. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses,
and Dissertations. 7
th
ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007; J. Gibaldi, MLA Handbook for
Writers of Research Papers. 6
th
ed. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2003 or
another reputable term paper guide). Factors taken into consideration for the grading of the paper
include originality, depth of research, organization, and content (e.g., introduction, thesis statement,
conclusion, etc.). See the attached grade rubric for the research paper.

Research paper assignment due within the one year time frame (from date of enrollment)
allotted for DL courses (in accordance with the students self-determined pace for
completion of the course). (See the Distributed Learning information in the Graduate
Programs section of the on-line Wheaton College catalog.)

COURSE CONTACT INFORMATION

Graduate Biblical & Theological Studies
Ms. Rebekah Canavan, Office Coordinator
630.752.5197
BTSGraduateStudies@wheaton.edu

Blackboard Assistance
General computer support
630.752.5217
computer.support@wheaton.edu

Blackboard questions and support
Ms. Julie Giles, Manager of Distance Learning Course & Development
630.752.5061
julie.h.giles@wheaton.edu

Graduate Student Services
Ms. Christine Peters, Graduate Student Services Coordinator
630.752.5191
grad.studentserv@wheaton.edu

Wheaton College Bookstore
bookstore@wheaton.edu
630.752.5119

*Note that the email link on the Blackboard course website is an internal email system only
(i.e., your email contact is limited to Wheaton email addresses).

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

Instructor:
Andrew E. Hill, Ph.D.
Professor of Old Testament Studies
Address:
Biblical & Theological Studies Department/BGC 230
Wheaton College & Graduate School
500 East College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187 USA
Email Address:
andrew.e.hill@wheaton.edu
Phone:
630.752.5274
Fax:
630.752.5296
COURSE READER

Aponte, E. D. Hispanic/Latino Theology. Pp. 397-400 in the Global Dictionary of
Theology. W. A. Dyrness and V-M. Krkkinen, eds. Downers Grove: IVP, 2008.
Balcomb, A. O. African Theology, Evangelical Contextual. Pp. 7-10 in the Global
Dictionary of Theology. W. A. Dyrness and V-M. Krkkinen, eds. Downers Grove: IVP,
2008.
Beckwith, R. T. The Unity and Diversity of Gods Covenants. TynB (1987): 93-118.
Brueggemann, W. Old Testament Theology. Pp. 675-97 in The Oxford Handbook of
Biblical Studies. J. W. Rogers and J. M. Lieu, eds. Oxford: Oxford University Press,
2006.
Bullock, C. H. Old Testament Theology. Pp. 860-65 in the Evangelical Dictionary of
Theology. 2
nd
ed. W. A. Elwell, ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.
Higueros, M. Latin American Theology. Pp. 470-73 in the Global Dictionary of
Theology. W. A. Dyrness and V-M. Krkkinen, eds. Downers Grove: IVP, 2008.
Kalu, O. African Theology, Protestant. Pp. 10-15 in the Global Dictionary of Theology.
W. A. Dyrness and V-M. Krkkinen, eds. Downers Grove: IVP, 2008.
Knierim, R. P. The Task of Old Testament Theology. Pp. 1-20 in The Task of Old
Testament Theology: Method and Cases. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.
Lee, M. Asian Theology. Pp. 74-77 in the Global Dictionary of Theology. W. A.
Dyrness and V-M. Krkkinen, eds. Downers Grove: IVP, 2008.
Lemke, W. E. Theology: Old Testament. Anchor Bible Dictionary. D. N. Freedman,
ed. New York: Doubleday, 1992. Vol. 6:448-73.
Martens, E. A. The Flowering and Foundering of Old Testament Theology. In
NIDOTTE. W. A. VanGemeren, ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.
Vol. 1:173-84.
Martinez, J. F. Latin American Theology, Protestant. Pp. 474-76 in the Global
Dictionary of Theology. W. A. Dyrness and V-M. Krkkinen, eds. Downers Grove:
IVP, 2008.
Ro, B. R. Communicating the Biblical Concept of God to Koreans. Pp. 207-30 in
Spencer, A. B and W. D. Spencer. The Global God: Multicultural Evangelical Views of
God. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
Schultz, R. L. Integrating Old Testament Theology and Exegesis: Literary, Thematic,
and Canonical Issues. In NIDOTTE. W. A. VanGemeren, ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,
1997. Vol. 1:185-205.
Scobie, C. H. H. The Messiah. Pp. 301-34 in The Ways of Our God: An Approach to
Biblical Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.
Spencer, A. B. God the Stranger: An Intercultural Hispanic American Perspective. Pp.
89-103 in Spencer, A. B and W. D. Spencer. The Global God: Multicultural Evangelical
Views of God. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
Tan, J. Y. Asian Theology. Pp. 70-74 in the Global Dictionary of Theology. W. A.
Dyrness and V-M. Krkkinen, eds. Downers Grove: IVP, 2008.
Vanhoozer, K. One Rule to Rule them All: Theological Method in an era of World
Christianity.. Pp. 85-126 in Globalizing Theology: Belief and Practice in an Era of
World Christianity. C. Ott and H. A. Netland, eds. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006.

Ware, F. O. Black Theology. Pp. 111-18 in the Global Dictionary of Theology. W. A.
Dyrness and V-M. Krkkinen, eds. Downers Grove: IVP, 2008.
Zevit, Z. Jewish Biblical Theology: Whence? Why? And Whither? HUCA 76 (2005):
289-340.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, B. W. Contours of Old Testament Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999.
Barr, J. The Concept of Biblical Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999.
Birch, B. C., W. Brueggemann, T. E. Fretheim, and D. L. Petersen. A Theological
Introduction to the Old Testament. Nashville: Abingdon, 1999.
Block, D. I. My Servant David: Ancient Israels Vision of the Messiah. Pp. 17-56 in
Israels Messiah in the Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls. R. S. Hess and M. D. Carroll,
eds. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003.
Brueggemann, W. Old Testament Theology: Essays on Structure, Theme, and Text. P. D.
Miller, eds. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992.
----------------------. Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy.
Minneapolis: Fortress, 1997.
----------------------.The Theology of the Book of Jeremiah. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 2007.
Dempster, S. Dominion and Dynasty: A Biblical Theology of the Hebrew Bible. New
Studies in Biblical Theology 15. Downers Grove: IVP, 2003.
Dumbrell, W. J. Covenant and Creation: A Theology of the Old Testament Covenants.
Exeter: Paternoster, 1984.
Eichrodt, W. Theology of the Old Testament. J. A. Baker, trans. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1961,
1967. 2 Vols.
Gerstenberger, E. S. Theologies in the Old Testament. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2002.
Goldsworth, G. According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible.
Downers Grove: IVP, 1991.
Hasel, G. Old Testament Theology: Basic Issues in the Current Debate. 4
th
ed. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
Hayes, J. H. and F. Prussner, Old Testament Theology Its History & Development.
Atlanta: John Knox, 1985.
House, P. D. Old Testament Theology. Downers Grove: IVP, 1998.
Kaiser, W. C. Toward an Old Testament Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978.
Levenson, J. D. Sinai & Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible. San Francisco: Harper &
Row, 1985.
Martens, E. A. Old Testament Theology. IBR Bibliographies. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997.
-----------------. Gods Design: A Focus on Old Testament Theology. 3
rd
ed. Richland
Hills, TX: Bibal, 1998.
Mead, J. K. Biblical Theology: Issues, Methods, and Themes. Louisville: Westminster
John Knox, 2007.
Ollenburger, B. C. Old Testament Theology: Flowering and Future. Sources for Biblical
and Theological Study 1. (Rev. ed. of The Flowering of Old Testament Theology. Winona
Lake: Eisenbrauns, 1992.) Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2004.
Perdue, L. G. The Collapse of History: Reconstructing Old Testament Theology.
Overtures to Biblical Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992.
Rendtorff, R. The Canonical Hebrew Bible: A Theology of the Old Testament. Blandford
Forum, UK: Deo, 2006.
Sailhamer, J. H. Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.
Schultz, R. L. What is Canonical About a Canonical Biblical Theology? Pp. 83-99 in
Biblical Theology: Retrospect and Prospect. S J. Hafemann, eds. Downers Grove, IVP,
2002.
Scobie, C. H. H. The Ways of Our God: An Approach to Biblical Theology. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.
Smith, R L. Old Testament Theology: Its History, Method, and Message. Nashville:
Broadman & Holman, 1993.
Spencer, A. B and W. D. Spencer. The Global God: Multicultural Evangelical Views of
God. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
Von Rad. G. Old Testament Theology. Vol. 1: The Theology of Israels Historical
Traditions. Vol. 2: The Theology of Israels Prophetic Traditions. D. M. G. Stalker,
trans. New York: Harper & Row, 1962, 1965.
Waltke, B. K. An Old Testament Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007.
Williamson, P. R. Sealed with an Oath. NSBT. Downers Grove: IVP, 2007.
Wright, C. J. H. Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament. Downers Grove: IVP, 1993.
-------------------. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bibles Grand Narrative. Downers
Grove: IVP, 2006.
-------------------. Knowing the Holy Spirit through the Old Testament. Downers Grove:
IVP, 2006.
-------------------. Knowing God the Father through the Old Testament. Downers Grove:
IVP, 2007.
-------------------. Salvation Belongs to Our God: Celebrating the Bible's Central Story.
Downers Grove: IVP, 2008.




























BiTh 638 Old Testament Theology: Grade Rubric

Student Name: ______________________________
Date: _______________________________


Accuracy of Data: (including spelling, adherence to standardized guidelines for research
papers, footnotes, bibliography, etc.)



Organization of Content: (including development of thesis statement, logical presentation of
ideas, etc.)



Clarity of Expression: (including logical presentation of ideas, coherence, thematic
development, etc.).



Specificity of Analysis: (including theological reflection, critical thinking, etc.)



Thoroughness of Research: (including utilization of textbooks, scope and depth of outside
research, extent of interaction with resources, etc.)


Grade: ______________

Grade Symbols:

+ = very good to excellent
= good to very good
- = fair to good