Exploring the Old Testament A Guide to the Historical Books Syllabus

The student should be familiar with the following: Chapter One-What are the Histories History of the Historical Books Context of the Historical Books Narrative criticism Reliability of the Historical Books Theology of the Historical Books Ethics of the Historical Books

Chapter Two-The Ancient Near East Empires of the Ancient Near East

Chapter Three-Joshua Who was Joshua Joshuas role in the Historical Books Extra-Biblical sources

Chapter Four-Judges Structure of the Book of Judges History of the period of the Judges Dating of the book of Judges

Chapter Five-I and II Samuel History of the books of Samuel Authorship of the books of Samuel Dating of the books of Samuel

Chapter Six-I and II Kings

History of the books of Kings Early kings of Israel and Judah Authorship of the books of Kings Dating of the books of Kings

Chapter Seven-Joshua-Kings Noths theory Post-Noth scholarship Deuteronomistic theology

Chapter Eight-Ruth History of the book of Ruth Dating of the book of Ruth Biblical law and the book of Ruth Authorship of the book of Ruth

Chapter Nine-Esther History of the book of Esther Dating of the book of Esther Authorship of the book of Esther

Chapter Ten-Ezra and Nehemiah History of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah Key themes presented Dating of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah Authorship of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah

Chapter Eleven-I and II Chronicles History of the books of Chronicles Dating of the books of Chronicles Authorship of the books of Chronicles