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Understand The Old Testament World

Name: Understand The Old Testament World
Rating: 4.3 (9 reviews)

An Introductory study of the Old Testament World, Cultures and Practises

Created byMagda Sutherland

Last updated 1/2017

English

What you'll learn

Recognize the importance of reading the Bible in its historical and cultural background
Identify the geographical area of the Old Testament and Biblical World
Grasp the meaning,implications, and practises of Idolatry
Understand the function of Temples, Cities, Priests, Sacrifices and Kings
Make better connections between The Old and The New Testament writings
Recognize the uniqueness of Israel's religion and World View in the surrounding cultural context
Evaluate the importance and power of a World View directing human existance

Course content

7 sections • 29 lectures • 3h 48m total length

Course Introduction5:58
This lecture introduces the course and explains the importance of understanding the Old Testament World's culture and history. Institutions such as temples, idols, sacrifices, cities and kings, have direct connections with the ancient World View, culture and history, directly impacting the Bible story.

The Fertile Crescent Geography4:55
This lecture introduces the region and geography where most Old Testament history plays out, the Fertile Crescent. The geography of any region plays an important role in the way we see reality and determines our culture and history. The geography of the Fertile Crescent played an important role in the history and culture of the Biblical world.
Mesopotamia9:45
This lecture introduces students to the Fertile Crescent region called Mesopotamia. The civilization of Mesopotamia included nations such as the Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians who played an important role in Bible and Israel's history.
Sumerians: Civilization Creators9:51
In this lecture students meet the Fertile Crescent civilization creators, the Sumerians. Israel was part of this civilization which the Bible story and message constantly addresses. Israel's God urges His people to live a different life compared to this civilization. This ancient Sumerian civilization is also the foundation for much of the Western World.
Reflection6:24
In this lecture we reflect on the Biblical perspective of the important role humanity plays in the physical world. We also comment on the connection between the physical world and human spirituality.

Defining a World View5:22
This lecture defines a World View, describes its importance , and introduces the different components of any World View. Understanding the World View of a group of people explains their culture and history. Understanding the Sumerian World View explains many of the Old Testament cultural practices.
Sumerian Cosmic Geography8:33
In this lecture students learn how ancient civilizations described the universe's composition. Our perception of the universe's composition plays an important role in how we view our role and function in the universe.
Sumerian Cosmology or Cosmic Working5:36
The lecture describes how the cosmos functioned according to the ancient World View. Human life and religion are closely integrated with our understanding of the cosmos' working.
Sumerian Literature4:42
This lecture introduces students to Sumerian literature expressing their World View. This genre of literature is commonly known as 'Mythology'. Understanding ancient mythologies helps us to understand the Biblical world.
Sumerian Cosmogony or Creation Story8:56
This lecture describes the Sumerian Creation Story. A creation account expresses our belief in a Creator God which in turn determines how we live our lives. Comparing the Biblical Creation story with ancient creation stories emphasizes Israel's unique World View, described in the Bible.
Reflection6:38
This lecture compares the Biblical Creation Story with the Sumerian Creation story. This challenges our belief in and view of the authority of a Creator God and the way we live our lives as Christians.

Sumerian Theology12:34
This lecture introduces us to the ancient worship of nature deities or gods. This ancient polytheistic worship had a powerful impact on Bible history. Understanding this ancient worship will clarify much of the Old Testament practices and writings.
Sumerian Human Creation Story3:44
This lecture describes the Sumerian's human creation story and the role humans play in the universe according to their view.
Reflection6:20
This lecture reflects and comments in particular on the Sumerians' view of human value and their role in the universe, comparing it to God's perspective of humanity's role and value, described in the Bible.

Lecture 15: Bodies for the gods10:01
This lecture describes the origin and significance of idolatry. This explains why idolatry is seriously condemned by the Old Testament writers.
Lecture 16: Houses for the 'gods'9:27
This lecture explains the meaning and function of ancient temples and their connection with idolatry. Understanding the symbolism of temples help us to understand the meaning and importance of Israel's Temple.
Lecture 17: Cities- Bastions of Civilization Part I13:02
In this lecture we discuss the origin and significance of cities and their connection with idolatry and temples.
Lecture 18: Cities - Bastions of Civilization- Two more important cities.10:40
In this lecture we discuss two more important Sumerian cities and their significant role in human history and development.
Lecture 19: Reflection8:20
In this lecture we briefly reflect on the Biblical perspective on idolatry, temples and cities.

Lecture 20: Born to Lead6:24
This lecture explains the important role of the Temple- Priest in the ancient and Biblical worlds. This sheds light on our role acting as God's Priests in the world.
Lecture 21: Sumerian economy5:52
This lecture describes the working of the Sumerian economy. This explains the connection between Israel's agriculture, their God and Temple described in the Bible.
Lecture 22: Land- lease Agreements5:44
This lecture describes land- ownership in ancient civilizations and religious practices. The Bible describes similar practices in Israel.
Lecture23: En and Lugal6:08
This lecture describes the role of the High Priest and the King in Sumerian Civilization. Understanding these ancient temple-leadership roles help us to understand similar roles described in the Bible.
Lecture 24: Taxes, Tributes and Gifts11:09
In this lecture we look at the contributions of taxes, tributes and gifts to the temple-economy. These concepts are also prominently present in the Old testament.
Lecture 25: Temple Rituals and Sacrifices5:18
This lecture explains the importance of temple rituals and sacrifices in ancient religions.This help us to understand similar practices by Israel. However in Israel's religion these practices had different meaning, significance and implications.
Lecture 26: Reflection6:41
In this lecture we discuss the Biblical perspective of temple rituals and sacrifices described in the Bible.

Lecture 27: Son of the 'gods'7:24
In this lecture we explore the meaning and implications of the concept: 'Son of the gods'. This title appears prominently in the Bible particularly in the New Testament. This title is embodied in Jesus and has great meaning and significance for Israel and Christians.
New Beginnings15:40
In this lecture students are briefly introduced to two important Mesopotamian kings who influenced Mesopotamian and human history significantly. The significance of kingship is an important theme in the Bible with significant implications for the life and ministry of Jesus.
Lecture 29: The Big Picture Reflection7:50
In this lecture we paint a broad picture of God's overall plan revealed in the Bible connecting the different entities we discussed in the course. The apt student will be able to see how these entities culminate in Jesus and His followers.

Requirements

Students do not need any specific academic qualifications or knowledge before doing this course

Description

Do modern Christians still regard the Old Testament applicable today? Did God nullify the Law and Old Testament writings by replacing it with Jesus' teachings and the New Testament writings?

Understanding the Old Testament World brings true meaning and significance to our faith, the New Testament writings, and the words of Jesus.

The Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures were Jesus’, his disciples’ and Paul’s Bible. Jesus taught his disciples from these scriptures. Paul and the other New Testament authors wrote what we call ‘The New Testament’ from their knowledge and understanding of the ‘Old Testament’. The New Testament describes Jesus’ life and message in light of the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures.

Jesus did not start a new religion, but gave true meaning to the Old Testament scriptures, message and practices. He announced his mission to earth with some of the following statements:

Matthew 4:17 (NIV) ¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Mark 1:14-15 (NIV) ¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Matthew 4:23 (NIV) ²³ Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

From these few references we can deduce that 'The Kingdom of God' was central to Jesus' thinking and ministry.

Jesus came to teach and explain the true meaning and significance of God’s Kingdom, an idea his audience was familiar with. The meaning and implications of a ‘Kingdom’ were not new to them but originated and developed with human civilization and history.

‘Kingdom’ in the ancient and Biblical Worlds, had direct connections with institutions like; idolatry, gods, temples, cities, priests, and kings.

This course aims at uncovering these 'Kingdom' institution, implications, developments and their connection with Israel and their God.

This course is a broad introductory survey of the Old Testament World, its cultures and world view, uncovering the meaning of the ‘gods' kingdom’, shedding light on the Kingdom of Israel's God .

We do not look at the Old Testament World cultures and literature through magnifying glasses, dissecting every culture in detail, but through wide- angle lenses, trying to see the 'Big Picture' of the ancient and Biblical worlds. This course lays the foundation for all other in- depth Bible studies concerning God and His Kingdom.

In this course we pay attention to:

The Old Testament World geography
Ancient and Old Testament World views
The gods of the Old Testament World
Idolatry
Temples
Ancient cities and their connection to the 'god's kingdom'
Temple rituals, sacrifices, and functions
Priests, High Priests and Kings’ leadership roles

Israel did not live in their own separate world but engaged with other cultures surrounding them. Understanding these cultures, their religion and World Views, will help us to understand the Old Testament history and writings.

This course consists of 3, 5 hours video, including many maps, diagrams, illustrations, and images of the Old Testament World and its cultures.

At the end of this course students will:

Know more about the Biblical World geography
Have met some ancient gods
Understand idolatry better
Recognize temples’ significant role
Know more about ancient cities and their function
Understand temple rituals and sacrifices better
Know more about the Priests and Kings’ roles
Recognize the value of reading the Bible in its historical and cultural context
Identify connections between the Old and New Testament writings
Understand Jesus’ teachings better.

This course is for students who:

Wish to understand the Old Testament better
Want to see the ‘Big Picture’ of the Bible better
Enjoy learning about Bible history and cultures

This course is not for students who:

Regard the Old Testament redundant
Are not interested in history
Need an in depth knowledge of ancient cultures
Do not regard it important reading the Bible in its historical context

Please join us for a rich learning experience!

Who this course is for:

Students who want to learn more about the historical and cultural background of the Bible
Students who are eager to explore the different cultural perspectives and practices of the Biblical world.
Students who enjoy doing independent research wider than Biblical writings

Understand The Old Testament World

What you'll learn

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Course content

Welcome1 lecture • 6min

Abraham's World4 lectures • 31min

The Power of Ideas6 lectures • 40min

Meet the 'gods'3 lectures • 23min

From Heaven to Earth they came5 lectures • 52min

Everything stands and falls on Leadership7 lectures • 47min

Long Live the King !3 lectures • 31min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: