The Old Testament
This course explores the formation and structure of the Old Testament canon. It focuses on:
- The development of the Old Testament Canon
- The three divisions of the Hebrew Bible:
- Torah (Law)
- Neviim (Prophets)
- Kethuviim (Writings)
Key areas include:
- Literary features and interpretive issues
- Differences between Jewish perspectives and Christian traditions (Catholic and Protestant)
- Key texts: Septuagint, Apocrypha, Deuterocanonical books
Special attention is given to the use of the Old Testament in African Independent Churches.
Course Description
The course explores the formation of the Old Testament canon and the literary and theological issues associated with it. It examines the divisions of the Hebrew Bible and compares Jewish and Christian perspectives, including Catholic and Protestant views, and their interpretive implications.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students will:
- Understand how the Old Testament canon was formed
- Analyse the structure of the Hebrew Bible (Torah, Neviim, Kethuviim)
- Compare Jewish and Christian positions on canon and interpretation
- Examine the relevance of the Old Testament in African contexts
Course Content
- Canon of the Old Testament
- Inspiration and inerrancy
- Biblical interpretation principles
- The Torah (Law)
- The Neviim (Prophets)
- The Kethuviim (Writings)
- Jewish perspectives on the canon
- Catholic and Protestant perspectives
- The Septuagint
- The Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical books
- Old Testament and African culture
- Use of OT in African Independent Churches
Mode of Delivery
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Independent study
Reading Materials
- Introduction to the Old Testament ? Arnold
- Septuagint with Apocrypha ? Brenton
- Texts of the Hebrew Bible ? Martin-Contreras
- The Old Testament: Canon, History and Literature ? Nelson
- Journeying with the Old Testament ? Ossom-Batsa
Grading Scale
- A: 80?100
- B+: 75?79
- B: 70?74
- C+: 65?69
- F: Below 65
Assessment Breakdown
- Exams: 60%
- Coursework and participation: 40%
Additional Policies
- Attendance affects grades
- APA or Turabian writing style required
- Strict anti-plagiarism rules
- Final exam includes short answers and essays
Weekly Schedule
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to the Old Testament Canon |
| 2 | Inspiration and Inerrancy |
| 3 | Biblical Interpretation Principles |
| 4 | The Torah (Law) |
| 5 | The Neviim (Prophets) |
| 6 | The Kethuviim (Writings) |
| 7 | Mid-term Review |
| 8 | Jewish Perspectives on the Canon |
| 9 | Catholic and Protestant Perspectives |
| 10 | The Septuagint |
| 11 | The Apocrypha and Deuterocanonical Books |
| 12 | Old Testament and African Culture |
| 13 | Use of OT in African Independent Churches |
| 14 | Final Review and Examination Preparation |
Lecture notes and handouts for this course are available as downloadable files. Please check the materials section below for available documents.
Required Readings
- Introduction to the Old Testament ? Arnold
- Septuagint with Apocrypha ? Brenton
- Texts of the Hebrew Bible ? Martin-Contreras
- The Old Testament: Canon, History and Literature ? Nelson
- Journeying with the Old Testament ? Ossom-Batsa
Media Resources
Lecture videos, audio teachings, and supplementary reading materials will be made available through the course portal. Students are encouraged to engage with all provided media resources to deepen their understanding of the course content.
Types of Assignments
Students are assessed through:
- Examinations
- Quizzes
- Take-home assignments
- Term papers
- Class participation
- Field reports
- Practical demonstrations
Submission Guidelines
- Submitted via the course LMS dropbox system
- Accepted formats: .doc / .docx / .pdf
Writing Requirements
- Font: Times New Roman (12pt)
- Double spacing
- Proper referencing (APA or Turabian)
- Logical structure: Introduction, Body, Conclusion
Academic Integrity
- Plagiarism leads to disciplinary action
- Proper citation is mandatory for all submitted work