Encountering the Older Testament

The Greek Kanon It had to be unbendable It had to be dependable as to its straightness KANWN

Canonicity refers to the church’s recognition of the authority of the inspired writings.

Josephus "For we have not an innumerable multitude of books among us, disagreeing from and contradicting one another [as the Greeks have], but only twenty-two books, which contain the records of all the past times; which are justly believed to be divine...(Contra Apion 1:8).

Josephus "It is true, our history has been written since Artaxerxes, very peculiarly, but has not been esteemed of the like authority with the former by our forefathers, because there has not been an exact succession of prophets since that time." (Contra Apion 1:8).

Pentateuch Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Historical Books Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther Poetic Books Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon Prophetic Books Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Torah Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Prophets (Nabi’im) Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, The Twelve (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) Writings (Kethuvim) Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra- Nehemiah, Chronicles,

How was the Bible Written?

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Theopneustos All Scripture is inspired by God… The Fact of Inspiration

All Scripture is inspired by God… The Fact of Inspiration The Extent of Inspiration

All Scripture is inspired by God… The Fact of Inspiration The Extent of Inspiration The Object of Inspiration

Neo-Orthodoxy Theory: God is seen as transcendent so that we cannot receive an accurate revelation of Him. Orthodoxy: The Bible is the Word of God Neo-Orthodoxy: The Bible gives witness to the Word of God

Neo-Orthodoxy TheoryNeo-Orthodoxy Theory Mechanical Dictation TheoryMechanical Dictation Theory Limited InspirationLimited Inspiration Verbal Plenary InspirationVerbal Plenary Inspiration

Can our copies of the Bible be trusted?

Copy Original Manuscript Copy

The Science of Interpretation

Fundamental Questions in Hermeneutics What did it mean to the original characters of the narrative?What did it mean to the original characters of the narrative? What did it mean to the author?What did it mean to the author? What did it mean to the original recipients?What did it mean to the original recipients?

Readers Today Moses Israelites Bible

Fundamental Questions in Hermeneutics What did it mean to the original characters of the narrative?What did it mean to the original characters of the narrative? What did it mean to the author?What did it mean to the author? What did it mean to the original recipients?What did it mean to the original recipients? What does it mean in light of New Testament revelation?What does it mean in light of New Testament revelation?

Mesopotamia Egypt Hatti

Mesopotamia Egypt Hatti Land Bridge DESERT

Israel Hittites Assyria Egypt  Babylon

Assyria  Babylon Egypt Hittites Aram Phoenicia Israel

Central Mountain Range The Coastal Plain Jordan Rift Valley

Central Mountain Range The Coastal Plain Jordan Rift Valley

Central Mountain Range The Coastal Plain Jordan Rift Valley

Central Mountain Range The Coastal Plain Jordan Rift Valley Trans Jordan

The Valley of Jezreel

The Yarmuk River Gilead

The Valley of Jezreel The Yarmuk River The Jabbok River Gilead

The Valley of Jezreel The Yarmuk River The Jabbok River Gilead The Arnon River Moab

The King’s Highway The Way of the Sea (the Way of the Philistines) Jericho   Megiddo

Climate of Canaan Mediterranean ClimateMediterranean Climate Dependent upon winter rainsDependent upon winter rains –Early Rains: October –Later Rains: April

What are the Overarching themes of the Pentateuch?

What is the Big Idea of the Old Testament? What is the Big Idea of the New Testament?

Creation Genesis FallFlood Tower of Babel

Historical Books Period of the Patriarchs Exodus and Sinai JudgesKings of Israel and Judah Return Poetic Books Torah Prophetic Books

Creation Covenant God gives a land But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant; There they have dealt treacherously against Me. (Hosea 6:7)

Creation Covenant God gives a land Noahic Covenant Abrahamic Covenant Renewal of the land Promise of a land Adamic Covenant Salvation promise

Mosaic Covenant Blessings & cursings in the land Davidic Covenant King over the land New Covenant King dies for His kingdom Removal from the Land Return to to the Land

Indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord (Numbers 14:21). A People A Land A Nation A King All People The World All Nations The King The Temple The Vine The Servant The Seed If I be lifted up from the earth I will draw all men to myself John 12:32