SYLLABUS FOR "BUILDING BIBLICAL THEOLOGY"
Course Description
While it is often overlooked, Biblical Theology can greatly enrich our study of the Scriptures. It focuses on the historical development of theology as it progresses throughout Scripture. This course explains the meaning of Biblical Theology, examines the way it is studied, defends its legitimacy, and gives examples from both the Old Testament and the New Testament, to show how it can be beneficial. It is based on the DVD lessons of Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr.
Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr.
Dr. Pratt is the president and founder of Third Millennium Ministries. He received his M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary and his Th.D. in Old Testament Studies from Harvard University. He formerly chaired the Old Testament department at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Then he transitioned in 2006 from his teaching role at RTS to work full time with Third Millennium Ministries. Among his published books are: Every Thought Captive, Pray With Your Eyes Open, He Gave Us Stories, and Designed For Dignity.
Goals and Objectives
GOALS
In this course, we would like to accomplish the following:
1. We hope you will develop a greater appreciation for Biblical Theology, and that you will become aware of its benefits.
2. We hope you will make use of all the instructional elements of the course to understand the meaning of Biblical Theology and how it is studied, to consider examples of how it can be beneficial, and to grasp the overall patterns and themes of Scripture, especially the theme of the kingdom of God.
3. We hope you make changes in your life as a response to the teachings of this course.
OBJECTIVES
When you have done the following, it will show that the goals are met:
1. Use all the written elements of the course to express your own thoughts and attitudes regarding Biblical Theology.
2. Obtain satisfactory grades on all the tests, demonstrating that you can do the following: a) identify the meaning and importance of Biblical Theology, distinguishing it from Systematic Theology, b) explain the process of studying Biblical Theology, c) analyze some examples of how Biblical Theology can help us understand passages from the Old Testament and New Testament, d) identify key themes that lie behind the historical development of theology throughout the Scriptures.
3. Answer the application questions in the study guides, in which you express how you have assimilated the teachings of the course and applied them to your own life.
Resources
The course is based on materials taught by Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr., produced and distributed by Third Millennium Ministries.
Credit
Birmingham Theological Seminary offers twp hours of credit for this course, as part of the program leading to a Certificate in Christian Ministry.
Thematic Outline of the Course
Lessons Based on the VIdeo Lectures:
1. What is Biblical Theology?
2. Synchronic Synthesis of the Old Testament
3. Diachronic Developments in the Old Testament
4. Contours of New Testament Biblical Theology
Required Additional Reading:
Andrew Murray, The Two Covenants
Herman Witsius, The Economy of the Covenants
Assignments
You should begin with the following for each lesson:
1. Read the "Preparation" document and complete any activity mentioned there in preparation for the lesson.
2. Read the instructions for the lesson.
3. Watch all the videos (or listen to the audio, or read the text version).
4. Complete the study guide for each section of the videos.While they are not required, and while they will not be graded, we recommend that you do the following for each lesson to prepare for the acummulative test and to get the maximum benefit from the lesson:
1. Take the quiz on each section of the videos.
2. If there are any, watch the videos of class discussion forums.
3. Browse through the glossary of the lesson.The accumulative test
Take the accumulative test on each lesson. This is required and will give you the grade for the lesson.
Required Additional Reading
After completing the lessons based on the video lectures, there is a final lesson based on required additional reading. The student should do the reading, complete the study guides, and take the corresponding test based on the reading.
Estimated Time for Study
While each student is different, we estimate that each lesson may take around 10 hours to do the required assignments, if the student is already familiar with how to use these courses.
Grades
You may see your grades at any time by clicking on the link. (It is in the left margin in the computer version, and at the bottom in other versions.)
1) Each accumulative test is worth 100 points and the test on the required reading is worth 100 points.
2) The quizzes on each section of the lessons are graded (10 points for each) so that you can evaluate your learning, but they will not be included in the official course grade. They are only for the purpose of practicing and learning.
3) The final grade for the course will be calculated by taking the appropriate percentages from each accumulative test and from the test on required reading, to make a total of 100%.
The evaluation scale has the following meaning:
90-100%: Excellent (A)
80-89%: Good (B)
75-79%: Average (C)
0-75%: Insufficient (F)
Include Other People
We highly recommend that you involve other people in your studies, in order to avoid isolating yourself. You may choose to form a study group with other students that are in the same program, or in a similar program of studies. You could share what you are learning, encourage one another, and pray for each other. It would also be a great idea to form a mentoring relationship with your pastor or with another person you respect, to make yourself accountable to him. You could meet once a week to share what you are learning and pray together.