A student qualified to take this course has to have successfully completed the two (2) previous courses in this series (OTS100 and OTS200). Student is also required to purchase the Kindle CourseBook OTS400.

Course Description: OTS400 - Old Testament Survey III

Course Title: OTS400 - Old Testament Survey III: Integration and Application

Course Credits: 3

Course Prerequisites: OTS100 - Old Testament Survey I, OTS200 - Old Testament Survey II

Course Overview: OTS400 - Old Testament Survey III is an advanced-level course designed to integrate and synthesize the theological, historical, and literary aspects of the Old Testament with their fulfillment and application in the New Testament. Building on the foundational knowledge gained in OTS100 and OTS200, this course provides a deep and comprehensive exploration of the interconnections between the two Testaments, with a special focus on key doctrinal themes such as atonement, covenant, and eschatology. Students will engage in rigorous exegesis, theological reflection, and ministerial application, ensuring a holistic understanding of the Old Testament's relevance to Christian doctrine and practice.

Course Objectives: By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Integrate Old and New Testament Teachings: Analyze the continuity and fulfillment of Old Testament themes in the New Testament, particularly in areas such as atonement, salvation, and eschatology.
2. Apply Hermeneutical Principles: Utilize advanced hermeneutical methods to interpret Old Testament texts in light of their New Testament fulfillment, ensuring accurate and theologically sound exegesis.
3. Develop Systematic Theology: Construct a systematic theology based on Old Testament teachings, demonstrating the coherence and unity of biblical doctrine across both Testaments.
4. Understand Deuterocanonical, Apocryphal, and Pseudepigraphic Texts: Examine the significance of non-canonical texts in the intertestamental period and their influence on early Christian thought.
5. Explore Biblical Soteriology: Investigate the development of soteriological themes from the Old to the New Testament, with a particular focus on the progressive revelation of God's redemptive plan.
6. Engage in Ministerial Administration: Apply biblical principles of leadership and church administration, drawing on Old Testament models and their adaptation in the New Testament.
7. Interpret Eschatological Themes: Explore Old Testament eschatology and its New Testament fulfillment, with particular emphasis on prophetic literature and apocalyptic imagery.
8. Prepare for Ministry: Equip students with the knowledge and tools necessary to teach and preach the Old Testament in contemporary Christian contexts, with a focus on its practical application to faith and ministry.

Course Structure: The course is structured around ten comprehensive chapters, each focusing on a critical aspect of Old Testament theology and its integration with New Testament teachings. Each chapter will include detailed exegesis, theological analysis, and practical application, ensuring that students can confidently apply what they have learned in teaching and ministry settings.

Key Topics:

• Old and New Testament Integration
• The Doctrine of Atonement
• Deuterocanonical, Apocryphal, and Pseudepigraphic Texts
• Advanced Hermeneutics
• Systematic Theology of the Old Testament
• The Old Testament in Revelation
• Old Testament Themes in New Testament Eschatology
• Advanced Soteriology and Biblical Integration
• Biblical Ministerial Administration
• Final Integration and Application

Course Outcomes: OTS400 - Old Testament Survey III

By the end of OTS400, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate Advanced Understanding of Old and New Testament Integration:
• Analyze and articulate the theological continuity between the Old and New Testaments, with a particular focus on key doctrinal themes such as covenant, atonement, and eschatology.
2. Utilize Advanced Hermeneutical Methods:
• Apply sophisticated hermeneutical techniques to interpret Old Testament texts, taking into account their historical context, literary form, and canonical significance within the broader biblical narrative.
3. Construct a Coherent Systematic Theology:
• Develop a systematic theology rooted in Old Testament teachings, demonstrating how these doctrines are fulfilled and expanded in the New Testament, particularly in the areas of soteriology, covenant, and prophecy.
4. Critically Engage with Deuterocanonical, Apocryphal, and Pseudepigraphic Texts:
• Evaluate the historical, theological, and literary contributions of Deuterocanonical, Apocryphal, and Pseudepigraphic texts, and assess their influence on the development of early Christian thought and New Testament theology.
5. Analyze Old Testament Soteriology in Light of New Testament Fulfillment:
• Explore the development of the doctrine of salvation from the Old Testament to the New Testament, with a focus on how Old Testament sacrificial systems, covenants, and prophecies are fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
6. Apply Biblical Principles to Ministerial Administration:
• Integrate Old Testament leadership models with New Testament church governance principles to develop a biblical philosophy of ministerial leadership and administration, suitable for contemporary church settings.
7. Interpret Eschatological Themes Across the Testaments:
• Examine how Old Testament eschatological themes, such as the Day of the Lord, the Messianic Hope, and the Kingdom of God, are developed and fulfilled in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of Paul and the Book of Revelation.
8. Synthesize Old and New Testament Teachings for Contemporary Application:
• Develop strategies for teaching and preaching the integrated message of the Old and New Testaments, ensuring that biblical theology is applied to contemporary Christian practice, ethics, and worship.
9. Engage in Personal Theological Development:
• Reflect on the relevance of Old Testament teachings for personal faith and ministry, encouraging continuous study and theological growth, with a view to deepening one’s understanding of the entire biblical narrative.
10. Prepare for Advanced Roles in Ministry and Teaching:
• Equip oneself with the theological knowledge and practical skills necessary to effectively teach, preach, and lead within the Christian community, with a strong foundation in the integration of Old and New Testament theology.

These outcomes are designed to ensure that students not only grasp the academic and theological content of the course but also apply these insights practically in their ministry and teaching, thereby enhancing their effectiveness as Christian leaders and educators.