...BOOK SUMMARY: ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN THOUGHT AND THE OLD TESTAMENT BY JOHN H. WALTON Old Testament Introduction OBST 510 May 4, 2014 Part 1 – Comparative Studies Chapter 1: History and Methods History: Walton begins the chapter with the “rediscovery of Egypt which began in the eighteenth century AD and of Mesopotamia in the mid nineteenth century AD.” There were discoveries of tens of thousands of texts that were excavated, translated and studied. Many of these tablets and texts did coincide with the Bible. Walton outlines comparative study which is the study that attempts to understand things when compared to their broader cultural context. The goal in this case is to understand the Old Testament compared to the ANE. There have been many debates on comparative study and the way in which is executed. Comparative studies deal with the cultures, myths, religions, worldviews and literature of all the people living in the ANE. A comparative study acknowledges that cultures are separate, but that these separate cultures are aware of and understand the religions and rituals of the other surrounding cultures and at times even engages in those rituals. Many of the Scholars were so biased that they tended to argue for the importance of the Old Testament, or vice-versa defended the mythology concept of scripture so vehemently that the cultural comparison was lost. Not until Friedrich Delitzsch, who was the son of the famous biblical commentator Franz Delitzsch, did a more focused...
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...Hello Jill, Thanks for the quick response. I actually thought about this often, about how were the people of the Old Testament saved. What I see from the scriptures is that salvation in the Old Testament is more likened to preservation than the salvation in the New Testament which is the imputing of life. In reality no one was saved until the death of Christ and resurrection of Christ (in the New Testament sense). That is why he is called the first fruits meaning the first to rise from the dead. This would include the 12 disciples that followed him during his earthly ministry. If one of his disciples died while he was still living they would have received OT salvation which is actually preservation. Let me try to explain the point with some scriptures. Joh 7:39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. Here we see that no one received the spirit before Jesus Was raised from the dead and glorified. However those who followed and believed in him at the time, if the dyed would have entered a place called Sheol (the grave, The Pit, ETC…) until their debt was paid for. This is what I mean by preservation. Up until this time no one has entered heaven or at least were God dwells anyway. As noted in the scripture below. Joh 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. Joh 6:46 No one has...
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...12 Apostles. Jesus taught his Apostles the word of God and spread the belief that he was the messiah by performing miracles such as healing the sick, feeding thousands with only enough food for one person, and expelling demons from the souls of people he encountered. After Jesus had many followers, people started to worry about the change in the community and the Romans didn’t want to think about what might happen if people started changing their ways so they sentenced Jesus to death. Jesus told his Apostles that he would come back after his death and they should continue to spreading what he had taught them. Three days after Jesus was crucified, he rose from the dead, proving that he was the messiah and everyone should listen to his teachings as they were the true word of God. Christianity is a religion that requires some work if you want a pleasant afterlife, and by this I mean that the only path to Heaven is through enlightenment or being saved. Becoming saved, despite popular belief, is not a public matter, all you have to do is open your heart and except God. God knows what is truly in your heart so you don't have to do it publicly. After you've become saved you can be baptized which is a way of cleansing yourself of sin and basically being reborn as a new person, one who is devoted to God. As long as you are saved and do not stray from the path of God, Heaven will be waiting for you in the afterlife. The one way that you can truly stray from the path of God...
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...theological concept of a “covenant of works” as applied to Adam. What conclusion does the textbook reach regarding the legitimacy of a “covenant of works?” God and Adam entered into a covenant in which if Adam did not sin, he would be removed from probationary period and reciveve a confirmed state of immortality. What opinion does the textbook purpose regarding the nature of the Tree of Life’s existence? It was instrument to test the motives of Adam, to reveal if he could demonstrate his virture through obedience Know the three avenues of temptation through which Satan tempted Eve. 1.Lust of the eyes 2.Lust of the flesh 3.Pride of life Understand the distinctions between the Arminian and Calvinist views of total depravity, and be able to provide a biblical definition of it. Arminian: Man can reason himself to God fully developed in the enlightment era. Man is capable of doing spiritual good. Moral works can be performed. Calvinism: Man cannot reason except trhough the grace of God. Man can do not good until salvation occurs. No moral works can be performed. Biblical Definition: Man can reason, but he can’t obtain merit from God. Man is unable to do spiritual works unless he is regenerated. Socially moral works can be performed by unbelievers What is the textbook’s view regarding the nature (or reality) of the serpent found in Genesis 3? Satan used an actual serpent. At what point (and through what event) was the promise of God to “crush” Satan’s head fulfilled...
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...Adam. What conclusion does the textbook reach regarding the legitimacy of a “covenant of works?” God and Adam entered into a covenant in which if Adam did not sin, he would be removed from a probationary period and receive a confirmed state of immortality. • What opinion does the textbook propose regarding the nature of the Tree of Life’s existence? It was an instrument to test the motives of Adam, to reveal if he could demonstrate his virtue through obedience. • Know the 3 avenues of temptation through which Satan tempted Eve. 1. Lust of the eyes. 2. Lust of the flesh. 3. Pride of life. • Understand the distinctions between the Arminian and Calvinist views of total depravity, and be able to provide a biblical definition of it. Man cannot reason except through the grace of God. Man can do know good until salvation occurs. No moral works can be performed. Man can reason, but he can't obtain merit from God. Man is unable to do spiritual works unless he is regenerated. Socially moral works can be performed by unbelievers. • What is the textbook’s view regarding the nature (or reality) of the serpent found in Genesis 3? Satan used an actual serpent. • At what point (and through what event) was the promise of God to “crush” Satan’s head fulfilled? At Calvary when Satan was judged. • Understand the nature of sin as revealed by Old Testament and New Testament words. Note the emphasis upon outward acts in Old Testament words...
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...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY by Garold Anderson May 8, 2016 Introduction Stewardship and giving are difficult subjects to address. However, Scripture is full of instructions concerning stewardship and giving. In the Old Testament there were various types of gifts the people of Israel gave. The tithe was demanded and various other offerings were excepted. With the arrival of Christ some people continue to question how His fulfillment of the law impacts the instructions of the tithe and giving found in the Old Testament. Some will look at the Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians as examples of a new rules for Christian giving. Was it Paul’s goal to abolish the concept of tithing or was he referring to some other form of offering? Using Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians this paper will argue that the New Testament offers new paradigm for giving separate from the Old Testament commandment to tithe. Historical Background Paul writes his second canonical letter to the church at Corinth in response to the report of Titus’ visit. Paul had spent a large portion of his ministry at Corinth, but in recently the relationship between Paul and the church at Corinth had been strained. After his departure from Corinth some problems and conflicts began to arise. In response to this Paul writes his first letter which was non-canonical to the Church at Corinth. During his ministry in Ephesus Paul heard of more difficulty and received a letter from the...
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...generations, they were told so the listener heard the religious truth, not necessarily the facts. The gospels are reliable historical records, but they are presented in different ways. It is religious history, not accurate recounts of dates and events. The Bible is not to be read as a history book. Symbolic: The religious truth in the bible is told in symbols. We have to read behind the symbols to find the meaning. Example eve and the talking snake, it’s not that a snake could talk but a symbol for the devil trying to worm its way into the human heart. The garden is a symbol for all that God gives us. The symbolic meaning behind this story is about the struggle of good and evil in a person that tempts them to sin. Proverbial: found in the Old Testament, it is everyday wisdom and advice about life that is...
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...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Book Summary Submitted to Dr. Erik Mitchell, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of the course OBST 510-D10 Introduction to the Old Testament by Stephen Corbett November 10, 2013 Table of Contents Introduction 1 The Bible and Myth 2 The Bible in Its World The Bible and Myth: A Problem of Definition Continuity: The Basis of Mythical Thinking Transcendence: Basis of Biblical Thinking The Bible verses Myth The Bible and History 9 The Bible and History: A Problem of Definition Is the Bible Truly Historical? The Problem of History (1) Does it Matter Whether the Bible Is Historical? The Problem of History (2) Origins of the Biblical Worldview: Alternatives Conclusion 15 Introduction “The Bible Among the Myths” begins with the author, John N. Oswalt, establishing his credibility on the topic discussed. Following his studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and Brandeis University, Oswald went on to teach courses at multiple seminaries on the subject of the Old Testament. Due to his years of teaching, he followed the current thought in the scholarly world in reference to the Bible and the subject of myth. In a sixty year gap, scholarly thought went from a popular view of the Israelite thought being completely separate and unconnected to the ancient near eastern thought to currently...
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...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Book Summary of Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament by John H. Walton Submitted to Dr. Peter Hamilton in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of the course 201420 Spring 2014 OBST 510-B08 LUO by March 2, 2014 ABSTRACT There are fourteen chapters in the book Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible written by John H. Walton. It includes five main sections. Along with these sections there are historical pictures that consist of over 20 images. Each one of those images are included in a complete appendix at the beginning of the book. Walton gives acknowledgements, which are followed by a list of abbreviations. Part 1- Comparative Studies In this first section it includes the first two chapters. Chapter one is appropriately named history and methods. The resolution of this part of the book is to protect the Bible from the harm done by comparative studies which warped evidence to work against the historicity, canonicity, and divine revelation of the Bible. Chapter 1- History and Methods This chapter opens up with the rediscovery of Egypt and Mesopotamia, dating back to the 1800s and the mid 1900s. The author states that archeologists were very quickly discovering that the Bible in its entirety was completely and wholly accurate and true. It was during this time that evolution and the scientific...
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...Introduction: The Bible Among The Myths by John N. Oswalt The author Oswalt spent much time studying the subject of the ANE (Ancient Near East). This book will investigate the Idealism, history, culture and how they related to the relevance of the critical worldview of the Old Testament and the Hebrew belief as compared to the surrounding ANE. Oswalt’s views, thinking and direction have changed completely over his 50 years studying the ANE and the Bible. This book will show the similarities and differences in thought between the Hebrew Old Testament and the ANE. Oswalt will define what a myth is and argue why the Old Testament is not and cannot be considered a myth. The Bible, when compared to ANE literature, has a completely different understanding of creation and how the spiritual and natural realms interact and exist. There is not a continuous existence that just repeats itself over and over, but rather a series of single events that lead to a greater purpose. It is Oswalt’s position that the Bible is an accurate historical account of a people who received their relevance of belief from a single living transcendent God. The historical basis is important as God reveals himself through humans, in non-recurring human-historical events, to impose God’s will and direction to affect the will of humans. Chapter 1: The Bible In Its World In this chapter Oswalt addresses different beliefs on the existence of the world. Specifically how the Israelites and Greeks viewed the...
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...God The Nature of God Barbara J. DeYoung University of St. Francis Abstract Through the reading of the book of Genesis and Exodus, one would almost say that God is a merciless God of punishment and rules. The truth is God is the same in the Old Testament and the New Testament of the Bible. We are just seeing different attributes of God at different times. God does not change, he is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Keywords: Faith, Old Testament, God The Nature of God The Nature of God: The Old Testament The book of Genesis opens with an omnipresent (or everywhere present) God creating the world that we know today. How is it possible to be in all places at once? David asked the same question in Psalms 139:7-10 “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Bible, KJV) God is everywhere at the same time, but we can be separated from God. God is “everywhere” present, but this does not mean that we are continuously with God. We can be separated from God as we read in Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear?” The Bible clearly states that iniquities (sin) can separate us from God...
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...STUDY GUIDE: MODULE 1 Fee and Stuart. 1. Know: Hermeneutics is the art and science, or as some would say the theory and practice, of interpretation. 2. What do they say is the aim of a good interpretation? What is not the aim? The aim of good interpretation is not uniqueness; one is not trying to discover what no one else has ever seen before. 3. According to Fee and Stuart, what is the antidote to bad interpretation? Is not no interpretation but good interpretation, based on commonsense guidlelines. 4. They define “The Bible” in part as… The Bible is not a series of… propositions and imperatives; it is not simply a collection of “sayings from chairman God,” as though he looked down on us from heaven and said: “hey you down there, learn these truths. Number 1, there is no God but One, and I am he. Number 2, I am the Creator of all things, including humankind” – and so on, all the way through proposition number 7,777 and imperative number 7777. 5. Know the kinds of “communication” mentioned that God uses to convey his Word. Narrative history, genealogies, chronicles, laws of all kinds, poetry of all kinds, proverbs, prophetic oracles, riddles, drama, biographical sketches, parables, letters, sermons, and apocalypses. 6. “To interpret properly the “then and there” of the biblical texts, you must…” not only know some general rules that apply to all the words of the Bible, but you also need to learn the special rules that apply to each of...
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...Ansley Wilson Survey of the Old Testament February 5, 2014 Essay Assignment #1 Academic Verses Devotional Study Studying the Old Testament in the bible in an academic setting and a devotional setting, are honestly completely different. There are certain characteristics that are the same, however, for the most part they are not the same. In this paper I intend to discuss what makes the academic and devotional settings similar, what makes them different, and also why it is important to study both of them. When viewing the bible in these manners it gives you a better understanding of his word, his intentions, and his love for us. To start off you need to understand how the bible came about. It started out as human communication. It was verbal until it was finally written out and when it was written out it was still meant to be “heard”. The Bible gives us instructions and laws that we are to follow. This is something that the academic Study really helps you understand. Certain things happen in a Chronological order just like history that you learn in an academic study at school. When you are able to observe the time period and why it happened you can conclude more due to the information you have by studying everything about it. This is great information for you to use later when you have your own personal devotional study. You have a better understanding of the message God wants to give you when you know the historical aspect. Studying the Bible in an academic setting...
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...about wickedness and that it will be dealt with. 2. Describe the typical hospitality displayed in Genesis 18 during this time. Abraham’s hospitality is that of oriental Asians today in that he would not allow a visitor to pass him by without showing hospitality. When the three men appeared it was the custom to fall down and show respect to one who is greater than yourself or is considered greater than yourself, as the visitor was addressed as “my Lord”. Then with respect many people were put into action to serve the person the best of what you have. So a whole meal was prepared, as well as washing the feet of the visitors showing servitude. Jesus displayed this type of servitude at the “last Supper” with His disciples. 3. Describe the kind of laughter of Sarah. The laughter of Sarah was of unbelief, or considered derisive as the book puts it. She might not have known of the promise that was given to Abraham. Then in her old age thinking it is impossible by this time to have a child as she has not had her own, in the many years she has been alive. 4. How does the Lord evaluate Abraham? Abraham was considered a friend of God because of his faithfulness, obedience and consistent behavior and love for the Lord. Therefore the blessing of his generations would become great in the future. 5. When is intercessory prayer effective? Intercessory prayer is effective when we realize the awesomeness of God’s righteous...
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...ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN THOUGHT AND THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOK SUMMARY by JOE VALENTI Old Testament Introduction OBST 590 B06 Dr. Randy Haney March 1, 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 1 CHAPTER 2 2 CHAPTER 3 3 CHAPTER 4 5 CHAPTER 5 7 CHAPTER 6 9 CHAPTER 7 11 CHAPTER 8 12 CHAPTER 9 14 CHAPTER 10 15 CHAPTER 11 17 CHAPTER 12 19 CHAPTER 13 20 CHAPTER 14 22 POSTSCRIPT 23 WORKS CITED i CHAPTER 1 The opening chapter begins by orienting the reader to the idea of "comparative study," or the area of study that strives to understand things within their broader cultural context. In the case of this book, the goal is to understand the Old Testament within the context of the Ancient Near Eastern milieu. Walton explains that over the years there has been much debate on the issue of comparative study and the way in which it is to be exercised. Scholars, always biased by their presuppositions, tend to enter the argument negating the importance of the Old Testament on the one side, or defending the inerrancy of Scripture so vehemently that the cultural context is lost. Walton poses a better way, namely, accepting the study of the Ancient Near Eastern cultures as important and academic in their own right while attempting to comprehend the Old Testament in light of what modern scholarship is learning about the ancient world...
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