OTEN 5300 8/28/08

Old Testament Introduction
I. Genesis
A. Authorship
1. General agreement that Moses wrote a large part
2. dominant theory that there are four sources that apply to the Pentateuch
J(Man and Earth), E(use of term Elohim), D(Deuteronomi), P(
3. the real issue is more how we receive the material
B. 1-11
1. Linking Phrase = "Beginnings of a People"
2. Purpose
Theological History
"to show how God worked with people in history, particularly with the Hebrew people"
3. Topics and Texts
Creation
"Parallels" - ancient texts with distinct similarities and differences
How are these materials related? Is the bible based on other texts are they based on the bible-majority belief if that others are older but not necessarily the basis
One way to think about it is that the Biblical text provides the correct perspective and corrects misguidings
Biblical differences - God is one, People are important, polemic - "written with a point "to counter other mistaken views
example - creation account of moon and stars are believed to intentionally avoid the naming and make it sound like no big deal. this helps to avoid giving credence to "the gods" of that time
Similarities
Starting Point in History
Originates with God's creation and we should view the biblical text from this perspective
Main Point - The focus is on the person of God and not necessarily the history. Our more typical texts are more chronological and major turning points. The work is historical, but that is not necessarily the point.
There is theme of goodness
Repetition of the word good
Even the structure of the writing emotes orderly
Theme of blessing and fruitfulness
Chap 1vs22,27,28,29
The place of people is special
Chap 1 vs 26 Pronouncement and change in language(king of majesty) signals that people are special and highlighted above creation
Vs 27 Three fold repetition adds focus
Image and likeness which are synonymous terms
People are spiritual beings with a capacity for personal(unique among human beings) fellowship with God
Self conscious
Encountering questions like "who am I?" "what should I do?"
Suggests that we are moral beings with responsibility "let them rule over"
One analogy is one of a ruler that has statue made that could "represent" him wherever it is brought
Chapter 2
Why are ch 1 diff than 2 - Some feel like this points to different sources. Brown feels like the difference is for effect from a literary perspective.
Chap 1, Creation of people is the culmination
Chap 2, First and foremost is creation of man and then everything else is created for man
If we focus on the literarature instead of the literal reading as history will lead you in a different direction
2:27 Some read that the breath and life is the image of God. However, Brown believes that b/c he was created in the image and likeness he was give life in a special way.
There is a sense of great drama unfolding with the creation of all the unsuitable and then there is a great exclamation in vs 23 - at last
There is some part in 2 that is a set-up or foreshadowing with the "it is not good" for man to be alone. There is a bit of a set-up in the last verse with the "happily ever after" ending
Chapter 3
Note that the serpent is never called satin
God does not curse the woman or the man, but the ground and the serpent. Important b/c curse is the opposite of blessing
There is judgement, but there is never a removal of hope.
Chap 4
Development of civilization
People gaining status
The progress of man can be positive and negative (Cain and Abel). God sees the negative and culminates in Chapter six
Positives often overlooked
3:8 there is companionship and fellowship in the closeness of God
3:9 The seeking nature of God in the beginning
God will judge, but tempered by mercy
Stories of Decline - Growth of Sin
Chap 5 Like a walk in graveyard
Chap 6
vs 5 what a deep passage focusing on the depth of depravity and statement of our wickedness
Though ultimately we see the judgement that comes, the real noteworthy is the character spotlight shown in the grief and sorrow of God
Though God exacts judgement, a focus on Noah is a bright spot
Nephaline - Typically viewed as people of great status and power and maybe authority. Very impressive and famous. Some say Giants. There are other biblical references to to this "type" of people. However, obviously God was not impressed with what he saw.
Sons of God and daughters of man options - Angels and not, Godly People and daughters of those who are ungodly(conservative evangelical), Royalty taking people to their herom wthout any regard for what God wants(Dr Brown)
Judgement: The flood
Chapter 6
Hope
Chapter 9
Noah is like a new Adam and God's purposes are still in place
Chapter 8
There is a point where God acknowledges the sinfulness of Man and almost conceeds to deal with it. Brown proposes that God shows some willingness to conform his interaction with Man to keep the interaction and the transformation
Chapter 10
Reflects that God's purposes, be fruitful and multiply have happened
Chapter 11
Tower of Babel = Reflects that the flood did not eleviate the sin in the world
Some debate the chronology of 10 and 11 chapters
vs 10 and 27 another Toledot with the intent of shining a spotlight on Abram
Crucial turning point to Abram
Chapter 12
Theme of blessing and partner focus on fertility
Purpose of blessing Abram is an ultimate outward purpose of blessing the world
Certainly a focus on faith - In a culture where family connection is everything and going to another place is very difficult, Abram's faith is highlighted
Chap 17
Affirmation of the promises made to Abram
Running soga of an heir
Circumcision as a sign of the covenant
Chap 18
Focus on Laughter - Abram and Sarah laugh at the idea of a child so late in life. Isaac means laughter
Chap 22
Continued focus on the promises of God that is confirmed with covenant and then fulfillment
We are set up by the previous chapters of positive flow with heir being born
Jacob Story
Though he is the deciever, it is positive in a sense that God is shown as a pursuer of Man
Chap 37-50
Joseph Story
Great Literary Piece
Image of going down (prison and pit)
Clothing (coat, potiphar pulling clothing, clothing change when status change)
Use of the verb recognize (Jacob recognizes sons clothing, Jacob recognizing his brothers)
Character Development of Judah that culminates with impressive speech
"You intended for evil what God has used for good"
Explains how they end up in Egypt
Theme of sovereignty of God and his plans. Shows how in spite of ourselves and wrong, God's plan is unstoppable even utilizing bad for Good.
There is a theme of positive and negative. To the extent of possibly balance.
The honesty of the Bible is cool and believable because of the recording of the imperfection of Man and the building up by God
C. Context
1. Dr. Brown's opinion is more that we should focus that it is more theological and focused on the creator and what he has created. He does not feel that it is "perfect history" or scientific. It is not necessarily inteded to tell the how it happened.
2. Not necessarily intended to be perfectly chronological
D. Fertility and reproduction are signal of blessing and the working out of his plan
II. Exodus
A. Linking Phrase = Formation of a People through covenant
B. Purpose = Ton continue the history of God's dealing with people to accomplish redemption, particularly with the peole who will be the Isrealites nation (from the death of Joseph
C. Theme = The making of covenant
D. Topics and Texts
1. The Hebrews in Egypt
Chap 1
Smallness and Death But The Hebrews: Fruitful, filling the land 1-6
BUT they were fruitfull and multiplied and filled the area - throwback_continuity with Genesis
The Egyptians: Fearful, Filled with Anxiety vs 8
God: Aware and Concerned
III. Glossary / Definitions
A. Pentateuch
1. First Five Books of the bible.
B. Documentary Hypothesis
C. Historiography
1. Describes the process of writing history
D. Polemic
IV. Key Thoughts
A. Are we setting people up by not being educational with oposing views to the bible so that people are not shocked when they go to the "real world"?
B. Never forget that the Bible's main focus is to share the nature, character and power of God. It is a theological text inspired by God and recorded by man.
C. Read text from the inside out and evaluate what it is before evaluating if the what is right or wrong by our inapplicable modern standard
D. Everything we read in the TO has its roots in creation and the intention of God. It is important to view the scripture through this lens.
E. The key story is that God works to continue or restore his original intent
F. Allways view the scripture through the positive themes of ultimate good purposes of God. We have pause when we start to see the focus on the chosen nation and start to wonder "what about the other people" We must remain grounded in the creation intention of good creation of all people. We see the wrapped back around in the new testament and Jesus reinforcement that God is available to all. I think I have been hung up in the past thinking that God did not make himself available to others besides the chosen nation. However something to think about is that if there is one souce in Adam and then Noah, then all have had an opportunity and chosen rebellion.
V. Why do we have these terms
A. History
1. Persons
2. Places
3. Events
4. Chronological
5. Understand that there is selectivity, emphasis and order that is imputed by the author
B. Historiography
1. Describes the process of writing history
C. Historical