Understand The Old Testament World

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

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
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 contextIdentify connections between the Old and New Testament writingsUnderstand 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!

 


Overview

Section 1: Welcome

Lecture 1 Course Introduction

Section 2: Abraham's World

Lecture 2 The Fertile Crescent Geography

Lecture 3 Mesopotamia

Lecture 4 Sumerians: Civilization Creators

Lecture 5 Reflection

Section 3: The Power of Ideas

Lecture 6 Defining a World View

Lecture 7 Sumerian Cosmic Geography

Lecture 8 Sumerian Cosmology or Cosmic Working

Lecture 9 Sumerian Literature

Lecture 10 Sumerian Cosmogony or Creation Story

Lecture 11 Reflection

Section 4: Meet the 'gods'

Lecture 12 Sumerian Theology

Lecture 13 Sumerian Human Creation Story

Lecture 14 Reflection

Section 5: From Heaven to Earth they came

Lecture 15 Lecture 15: Bodies for the gods

Lecture 16 Lecture 16: Houses for the 'gods'

Lecture 17 Lecture 17: Cities- Bastions of Civilization Part I

Lecture 18 Lecture 18: Cities - Bastions of Civilization- Two more important cities.

Lecture 19 Lecture 19: Reflection

Section 6: Everything stands and falls on Leadership

Lecture 20 Lecture 20: Born to Lead

Lecture 21 Lecture 21: Sumerian economy

Lecture 22 Lecture 22: Land- lease Agreements

Lecture 23 Lecture23: En and Lugal

Lecture 24 Lecture 24: Taxes, Tributes and Gifts

Lecture 25 Lecture 25: Temple Rituals and Sacrifices

Lecture 26 Lecture 26: Reflection

Section 7: Long Live the King !

Lecture 27 Lecture 27: Son of the 'gods'

Lecture 28 New Beginnings

Lecture 29 Lecture 29: The Big Picture Reflection

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