Course Syllabus

Course title: ET 701 Old Testament Theology

Course description: Surveys the progress of redemptive history of the Old Testament from
creation through the prophetic period with special attention given to the
concept of covenant.
Course instructor: Robert R. Gonzales Jr. is the dean and a professor of biblical studies for
Reformed Baptist Seminary. He is a graduate of the Reformed Baptist School
of Theology, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also holds a Master of Arts degree
(M.A.) in Theology and a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) in Old
Testament Interpretation from Bob Jones University. He is the author of
Where Sin Abounds: the Spread of Sin and the Curse in Genesis with Special
Focus on the Patriarchal Narratives, a contributor to Reformed Baptist
Theological Review, The Founders Journal, and Westminster Theological
Journal. Hes also a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the
Society for Biblical Literature. Bob and his wife, Becky, have five children.
Course lecturer: Robert P. Martin is pastor of Emmanuel Reformed Baptist Church, Seattle
(SeaTac), Washington. He holds the Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) in
New Testament from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Formerly
he was Dean and Professor of Biblical Theology in Trinity Ministerial
Academy. He is also author of Accuracy in Translation (Banner of Truth) and
A Guide to the Puritans (Banner of Truth) and Editor of the Reformed Baptist
Theological Review.
Course credit: 4 credit-hours
Course requirements: Student must satisfactorily complete the following course requirements:
(1) Lectures The student must listen to all 46 lectures by Robert Martin on OT Theology
in audio format. These may be accessed on RBS Virtual Campus.
(2) Reading Required reading
The student must read completely the following:
Alexander, T. D. From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to
Biblical Theology. Kregel Academic & Professional, 2008).
Gonzales, Robert R., Jr. The Covenantal Context of the Fall: Did God
Make a Primeval Covenant with Adam? Reformed Baptist
Theological Review IV:2 (2007): 5-32. [PDF copy available]
Lawrence, Michael. Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church: A Guide
for Ministers. Crossway, 2010.
Merrill, Eugene H. Everlasting Dominion: A Theology of the Old
Testament. Broadman & Holman, 2006.
Recommended reading
The following works are recommended as supplementary reading, especially
in relation to researching and writing the course paper.
Alexander, T.D., and Brian S. Rosner, eds. New Dictionary of Biblical
Theology. InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Beale, G. K. The Temple and the Churchs Mission: A Biblical Theology of
the Dwelling Place of God. NSBT. Edited by D. A. Carson.
InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Bell, Robert D. The Theological Messages of the Old Testament Books.
BJU Press, 2010.
Dempster, Stephen G. Dominion and Dynasty: A Theology of the Hebrew
Bible. NBST. Edited by D. A. Carson. InterVarsity Press, 2003.
Dumbrell, William. Covenant and Creation: A Theology of the Old
Testament Covenants. Paternoster Publishing, 1984.
Fairbairn, Patrick. Prophecy. Reprint, The Banner of Truth Trust, 1964.
Fesko, J. V. Last Things First: Unlocking Genesis 1-3 with the Christ of
Eschatology. Mentor, 2007.
Gamble, Richard C. The Whole Counsel of God: Gods Mighty Acts in the
Old Testament, volume 1. Presbyterian & Reformed, 2009.
Goldsworthy, Graeme. Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical
Foundations and Principles. Intervarsity, 2012.
Gonzales, Robert R., Jr. Where Sin Abounds: the Spread of Sin and the
Curse in Genesis with Special Focus on the Patriarchal Narratives.
Wipf & Stock, 2010.
Hafemann, Scott J., ed. Biblical Theology: Retrospect & Prospect.
InterVarsity Press, 2002.
Hamilton, James M., Jr. Gods Glory Through Judgment: A Biblical
Theology. Crossway Books, 2010.
Horton, Michael. God of Promise: Introducing Covenant Theology. Baker
Books, 2006.
House, Paul R. Old Testament Theology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity
Press, 1998.
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. Toward an Old Testament Theology. Zondervan
Publishing House, 1978.
McComiskey, Thomas Edward. The Covenants of Promise: A Theology of
the Old Testament Covenants. Baker Book House, 1985.
Murray, John. The Covenant of Grace. Presbyterian & Reformed, 1953.
Niehaus, Jeffrey J. Ancient Near Eastern Themes in Biblical Theology.
Kregel Academic Press, 2008.
Oehler, Gustav Friedrich. Theology of the Old Testament. 4th ed. Translated
by George E. Day. Funk & Wagnalls, 1888.

Payne, J. Barton. The Theology of the Older Testament. Zondervan
Publishing House, 1962.
Richter, Sandra L. The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old
Testament. Intervarsity, 2008.
Robertson, O. Palmer. The Christ of the Covenants. Presbyterian &
Reformed, 1980.
Ross, Philip S. From the Finger of God: The Biblical and Theological Basis
for the Threefold Division of the Law. Mentor, 2010.
Routledge, Robin. Old Testament Theology: A Thematic Approach.
InterVarsity Press, 2008.
VanGemeren, Willem. The Progress of Redemption: The Story of Salvation
from Creation to the New Jerusalem. Baker Books, 1988.
Vos, Geerhardus. Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. 1948.
Reprint, Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1988.
Waltke, Bruce. An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and
Thematic Approach. Zondervan, 2007.
Williams, Michael D. Far as the Curse Is Found: The Covenant Story of
Redemption. Presbyterian & Reformed, 2005.
Williamson, James R. From the Garden of Eden to the Glory of Heaven:
Gods Unfolding Plan and How It Relates to Christians Today.
Calvary Press, 2008.
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bibles Grand
Narrative. InterVarsity Press, 2006.
Zuck, Roy B., ed. A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament. Moody Press,
1991.
(3) Book Reviews The student should write two 6 to 10 page (double-spaced) book reviews.
First, the student should review T. Desmond Alexander's From Eden to the
New Jerusalem. Second, the student should review Michael Lawrences
Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church. The reviews should provide a
brief summary of the book and should note the books positive contributions
as well as any perceived deficiencies. The student should contact Dr. Gonzales
if he has any questions ([email protected]).
(4) Term Paper The student must write a paper on one of the following topics (or a topic
approved in advance by the course instructor):
(1) An exegetical and biblical-theological survey of the major theological
themes in a given OT book (e.g., A Theology of Genesis). The paper should
highlight and develop the major theological themes and motifs of the book in
view. Make applications for today.
(2) An exegetical and biblical-theological survey of a major theological theme
(e.g.s., God, man, sin, salvation, worship, etc.) as its revelation progressively
develops throughout the OT corpus.
(3) An exegetical and biblical-theological synthesis of the OT divine-human
covenants (including the anticipated New Covenant). The paper should define
a divine-human covenant, highlight the major features or elements of the
covenants, and show how the covenants contribute to the major theme(s) of
the OT. Make applications for today. [Note: students may narrow their focus
to just one of the major OT covenants.]
(4) An exegetical and biblical-theological synthesis of the gospel according to
the OT. The paper should address the content of the OT gospel (in which the
OT believer placed his faith) and the progressive revelation of this gospel
beginning at Genesis.
(5) An exegetical and biblical-theological synthesis of the OT teaching on life
after death. The paper should address the question of whether the OT revealed
an objective hope of life after death and whether OT believers lived
(subjectively) in light of that hope. Make applications for today.
The paper should be between 15 and 20 pages (double-spaced). The student
should utilize secondary sources (i.e., Bible dictionaries, commentaries,
theologies, articles, monographs, etc.) and provide a bibliography. It should
conform to Reformed Baptist Seminary academic paper standards as outlined
in the Guidelines & Expectation for Students and more fully explicated in
Turabian, Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 7th
Edition (Chicago, 2007).
If the student has any questions about the paper or course requirements, he
should contact Dr. Gonzales ([email protected]).
Course grading: Lectures = 10%
Reading = 10%
Book Reviews = 30%
Term Paper = 50%