2009 - 2010 Academic Catalog - Westminster Theological Seminary

{Course Descriptions}
OLD Testament
2009–2010
• To identify the major biblical-theological themes
of the Old Testament and to recognize their
importance for understanding the gospel
• To develop skill in understanding and applying
each of the books of the Old Testament
• To learn to communicate the gospel through the Old Testament
• To be encouraged to embrace the gospel in continuing
and vital ways through the glory of God’s self-disclosure
and to fear the Lord and love him with the whole heart
Old Testament faculty: Professor Green, Coordinator; Professor Gropp;
Assistant Professors Kelly and Greene; Mr. Lowery and Mr. Putnam.
Master’s level
OT 011, 012, 013 Elements of Hebrew a
Purpose:
• To teach students elements of the Hebrew language
• To expose the student to a significant amount
of biblical Hebrew through extensive translation
of portions of the Hebrew Bible
• To prepare the student for further exegetical
work in Old Testament courses
Topics covered include orthography, phonemics, morphology, and
syntax. The third semester is devoted to extensive reading and
translation of narrative and poetic materials from the Hebrew
Bible.
Fall semester, winter term, spring semester, three hours. The
winter term is an intensive course comparable to a full-time academic
load. Students must begin course with the fall semester
(see “Placement in Greek and Hebrew” on page 52). Auditing not
permitted. Staff.
OT 030A, 030B, 031C Elements of Hebrew aa
This course is identical in content with OT 011, 012, 013 except
that the first two terms are offered during the summer and the
final is offered during the fall semester. Students should note
that the summer terms are intensive and require a full-time commitment
(40-60 hours per week). Students with part-time jobs,
unusually heavy ministry commitments, or who speak and read
English as a second language should confer with the instructor
before registration.
Each term, three hours. Auditing not permitted. Staff.
OT 113 Old Testament Introduction
Purpose:
• To introduce students to the complex
hermeneutical, theological, and doctrinal issues
surrounding Old Testament interpretation
Topics covered include the history of the Hebrew text; the use of
the Old Testament in the Pseudepigrapha, Apocrypha, and New
Testament; the major critical methods and postmodern interpretation;
and Biblical Theology. Prerequisite, OT 011, or equivalent,
completed or in progress.
Spring semester, three hours. Staff.
OT 131 Biblical Theology I
Purpose:
• To show how responsible interpretation and application of
any biblical text does not begin with the question “How do
I apply this passage to my life?” but with “How does this
passage connect to the great narrative of redemption which
climaxes in the gospel, the story of Christ, and his people?”
Topics covered include the nature of the Bible and its coherence;
continuities and discontinuities in various major themes, such as
the kingdom of God, definitions of the people of God, the Spirit and
the New Covenant; the centrality of the gospel in application. Not
available to M.Div. or M.A.R. students.
Fall semester, three hours. Mr. Green.
OT 141 Old Testament for Ministry
Purpose:
• To expose the student to specific interpretive issues in
Old Testament historical, prophetic and wisdom books
• To demonstrate how Old Testament historical,
prophetic and wisdom books are to be interpreted
and applied in light of the gospel
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