Course Description

OT Foundations 1 and OT Foundations 2 together form an introduction to the Old Testament and the world in which it originated.

Throughout, the Old Testament is interpreted as part of Christian Scripture, and out of a conviction that Christians cannot afford to neglect this first and larger part of God’s Word. Questions relating to history and the ancient Near Eastern context will not be ignored, but the main emphasis is on the meaning, theology and application of the text.

OT Foundations 1 covers the Pentateuch and the Historical Books.

  • Location

    Online via Zoom (Live)
    with Blended Learning


    First and Last Sessions are in-person for local students at:

    BGST, 50 Kallang Pudding Rd #07-01, Singapore 349326
  • Dates

    (Tuesdays)
    Jul: 9, 23
    Aug: 6, 20
    Sep: 3, 17
    Oct: 1, 15

    Closing Date for Registration:
    July 6, 2024

  • Time

    7:15pm–10:00pm

Lecturers

Dr Sun Jiani

Lecturer

Jiani finished her DPhil in Theology/Hebrew Bible at the University of Oxford. Her dissertation is on the Wisdom of Solomon in which she argues that scriptural interpretation enables the reading community to re-experience God’s saving acts in history. Originally from Shanghai, China, she has spent six years in the US before she comes to Oxford. She received her BA in Biblical Studies and Philosophy from Wheaton (IL) in 2018 and then completed an MAR at Yale Divinity School in 2020. She enjoys reading, cooking, and hosting people with her husband.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    General

  • 2

    Session 1 (Live) Introduction to the Course

    • Introduction to the Course

    • Different Canon Lists

    • What is a Gobbet?

    • Sample Presentation

  • 3

    Session 2 (Self-Study) Topic 1 Genesis

    • Checklist for Session 2: Topic 1 Genesis

    • Genesis 1-11 Pt 1 Creation and Beginnings

    • Genesis 1-11 Pt II

    • Genesis 1-11 Pt III

    • Genesis 1-11 Pt IV

    • Genesis 1-11 Lecture notes

    • Gilgamesh ( additional notes )

    • Genesis 12-50

    • Genesis 12-50 lecture notes

    • Genesis 12-50 video recording part 1

    • Genesis 12-50 video recording part 2

    • Genesis 12-50 video recording part 3

    • Online 200-word Response

  • 4

    Session 3 (Live) Review Topic 1 Genesis

    • Checklist Before the Tutorial

    • Class Presentation

    • Reflection on Creation

  • 5

    Session 4 (Self-Study) Topic 2 Exodus and Leviticus

    • Checklist for Session 4: Topic 2 Exodus and Leviticus

    • Exodus Pt I

    • Exodus Pt II

    • Exodus Pt III

    • Exodus Pt IV

    • Exodus Lecture Notes

    • Leviticus Pt I

    • Leviticus Pt II

    • Leviticus Pt III

    • Leviticus Pt IV

    • Leviticus Lecture Notes

    • Online 200-word Response

  • 6

    Session 5 (Live) Review Topic 2 Exodus and Leviticus

    • Checklist Before the Tutorial

    • Class Presentation

    • Reflection on Moses' Ministry

  • 7

    Session 6 (Self-Study) Topic 3 Numbers and Deuteronomy

    • Checklist for Session 6: Topic 3 Numbers and Deuteronomy

    • Numbers Pt I

    • Numbers Pt II

    • Numbers Pt III

    • Numbers Lecture Notes

    • Deuteronomy Pt I

    • Deuteronomy Pt II

    • Deuteronomy Pt III

    • Deuteronomy Pt IV

    • Deuteronomy Pt V

    • Deuteronomy Pt VI

    • Deuteronomy Lecture Notes

    • Online 200-word Response

  • 8

    Session 7 (Live) Review Topic 3 Numbers and Deuteronomy

    • Checklist Before the Tutorial

    • Class Presentation

    • Reflection on the Wilderness

    • Moran, The ANE Background of Love of God in Deuteronomy

  • 9

    Session 8 (Self-Study) Topic 4 Joshua and Judges

    • Checklist for Session 8: Topic 4 Joshua and Judges

    • Joshua Pt A

    • Joshua Pt B (I)

    • Joshua Pt B (II)

    • Joshua Pt B (III)

    • Joshua Lecture Notes

    • Judges Pt I

    • Judges Pt II

    • Judges Lecture Notes

    • Online 200-word Response

  • 10

    Session 9 (Live) Review Topic 4 Joshua and Judges

    • Checklist Before the Tutorial

    • Class Presentation

    • Reflection on Leadership

  • 11

    Session 10 (Self-Study) Topic 5 Monarchy 1-2 Samuel & 1-2 Kings

    • Checklist for Session 10: Topic 5 Monarchy Samuel and Kings

    • 1 & 2 Samuel Pt I

    • 1 & 2 Samuel Pt II

    • 1 & 2 Samuel Pt III

    • 1 & 2 Samuel Pt IV

    • 1 & 2 Samuel Lecture Notes

    • 1& 2 Kings Pt A (II) (a)

    • 1 & 2 Kings Pt A (II) b

    • 1 & 2 Kings Pt A (II) c

    • 1 & 2 Kings Pt A (III)

    • 1 & 2 Kings Pt B

    • 1 & 2 Kings Lecture Notes

    • Online 200-word Response

  • 12

    Session 11 (Live) Review Topic 5 Monarchy 1-2 Samuel & 1-2 Kings

    • Checklist Before the Tutorial

    • Class Presentation

    • Reflection on the Trends of the World

  • 13

    Session 12 (Self-Study) Topic 6 Post-Exilic, Ezra and Nehemiah, Ruth and Esther

    • Checklist for Session 12: Topic 6 Post Exilic, Ezra-Nehemiah, Ruth and Esther

    • Ezra and Nehemiah Pt I

    • Ezra and Nehemiah Pt II

    • Ezra and Nehemiah Lecture Notes

    • Ruth and Esther Pt I

    • Ruth and Ester Pt II

    • Ruth and Ester Pt III

    • Ruth and Ester Pt IV

    • Ruth and Ester Lecture Notes

    • Online 200-word Response

  • 14

    Session 13 (Live) Review Topic 6 Post Exilic, Ezra-Nehemiah, Ruth and Esther

    • Checklist Before the Tutorial

    • Class Presentation

    • Reflection on God's Work in Challenging Times

  • 15

    Session 14 (Self-Study) Topic 7 1 & 2 Chronicles: Past History and Hope for the Future

    • Checklist for Session 14 Topic 7 1 & 2 Chronicles

    • 1 & 2 Chronicles Pt I

    • 1 & 2 Chronicles Pt II

    • 1 & 2 Chronicles Pt III

    • 1 &2 Chronicles Pt IV

    • 1&2 Chronicles Lecture Notes

    • Online 200-word Response

  • 16

    Session 15 (Live) Review Topic 7 1 & 2 Chronicles

    • Checklist Before the Tutorial

    • Class Presentation

    • Reflection on Building and Dedication

  • 17

    Course Evaluation

    • Course Evaluation Form

  • 18

    Assignment Submission

    • Guidelines for Academic Papers

    • General Formatting for all Assignments

    • Reflection

    • Book Critique and Reflection Paper

    • Major Paper Gobbets