What is the significance of the Hebrew Bible to persons living in the 21st century? What does it have to say to Christians? To those among the nations who know nothing of a personal relationship with the living God? Since we have the NEW Testament, do we really need the OLD one?

Emil Kraeling argued that "the Old Testament is not just one problem among many, but it is the master problem of theology." Bernard Anderson observed that "no problem more urgently needs to be brought into focus. It is a question which confronts every Christian in the church, whether that Christian be a professional theologian, a pastor of a congregation, or a layperson. It is no exaggeration to say that on this question hangs the full meaning of the Christian faith."

This term we get to wrestle with such questions as we look into the beginnings of God's plan of redemption. We will begin by looking at the affirmation of the Promise and the Covenant He had made with Abraham on behalf of the nations and see how God's redemptive purpose begins to unfold.
 

Professor: Dr. Paul W. Ferris, Jr. Email: pferris at bethel.edu Office AC 201 651-638-6175 Home Office: 651-636-6369

My prayer is that as we study the Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges & Ruth-- these narratives and their core messages-- our hearts will be challenged in a fresh way to love Him with all our heart, all our soul, all our ability, and to love our neighbors, both near and distant.