Genesis - Joshua - Reformed Theological Seminary

The Relevance of the OT

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Why does the OT seem irrelevant to modern readers? How may we counter the appearance of the OT's irrelevance? How is the OT necessary for believers living in the NT age?

Focus in OT Interpretation

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Contrast the concerns often found in popular and academic studies of the OT. What are Pratt's distinctions among original meaning, biblical elaborations, legitimate applications and full value? Evaluate these distinctions. Why is it necessary to anchor interpretation to the original meaning?

Summarizing the Original Meaning

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

"One meaning - many summaries". Explain this hermeneutical slogan and indicate its importance. What three major strategies has the Holy Spirit led the church toward OT interpretation? Distinguish them from each other. Explain how Gen 12:10-20 may be viewed thematically, historically, and literarily.

Genesis: An Overview

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Contrast critical and evangelical outlooks on the authorship and date of Genesis. How did evangelicals usually treat Genesis as a window for historical analysis? What is Pratt's outline of the book of Genesis? How would these major parts have spoken to the first generation of Israel in the wilderness? What overarching message does a literary analysis of Genesis offer the church today?

Genesis: The Primeval History

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

How does the ANE background of primeval historical records offer insight into Moses' prepare in his primeval history? What are the major viewpoints evangelicals take toward the historical issues raised by Gen 1:1-2:3? What was Moses' prominent purpose for presenting the ideal cosmological order (Gen 1:1-2:3) to Israel? How does this theme apply to our day?

Genesis: The Corruption of Cosmic Order

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

What is the overarching structure of Gen 2:4-3:24? How did Moses use this story to teach his readers about their call from Egypt Canaan? What is the literary structure of Gen. 4:1-6:8? Summarize how each major section of this material instructed the Israelites about their lives. How may we apply the original meaning to Gen 2:4-6:8 to our lives today?

Genesis: Judgment/Deliverance and the New Order

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

How did Moses use the flood in Noah's life to shed light on what God was doing in his day? What new order was introduced for Noah's descendants? How did this order anticipate Moses' day? How did the Tower of Babel story speak to the needs of Israel facing the conquest of Canaan?

Genesis: Abraham's Life and Israel's Hope Part 1

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

How does God's call to Abram reveal Moses' central concerns in his record of Abram's life? Explain the original meaning of Abram's election to blessing for Moses' readers. What was Israel to learn from Abram's interactions with surrounding peoples?

Genesis: Abraham's Life and Israel's Hope Part 2

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Describe the character of the Abrahamic covenant in light of the literary structure of Gen. 15-17. What was the importance of this covenant for Israel? How does Gen 22:1-25:18 demonstrate the security of the promises to Moses' readers?

Genesis: Jacob's Life and Israel's Hope

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

What is the overarching literary structure of Jacob's life? How do Jacob and Esau stories reflect on Israelite/Edomite conflict? Explain the significance of the original two passages of conflict and blessing (26:1-33; 33:18-35:15). What was the original meaning of the Jacob/Laban story?

Genesis: Joseph's Life and Israel's Hope

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

What is the overarching literary structure of Joseph's life? How does the Joseph story speak of intra-tribal unity? How does the Joseph story establish roles for the tribes? How does the Joseph story provide hope for Israel?

Exodus: An Overview

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

What are the prominent sources Moses used in composing Exodus? What is the evidence for the likely date of final completion? What is the typical focus of a redemptive-historical approach to Exodus? What is Pratt's view of the literary structure of Exodus? What is Pratt's evaluation of the prominent them of the book?

Exodus: divine Authorization in Moses' Birth and Call

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

How did Moses structure the context of his birth narrative to highlight his divine authorization? What question is raised by Ex 2:14? How does Ex 2:23-4:31 answer this question? What is the name of God revealed to Moses? what does it mean? What was its significance for Moses' readers?

Exodus: Divine Authorization in Deliverance and Traveling

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

How does Ex 5:1 - 15:21 trace a moevent from disbelief and hardship to celebration and deliverance? Describe the literary structure of the signs and wonders Moses performed in Egypt. Why did Moses go into such detail on the plagues? How did the stories of travel from the Red Sea to Sinai vindicate Moses' leadership? What warnings did the original audience receive from these stories?

Exodus: Divine Authorization of Mosaic Law

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Describe the literary structure of Ex 19:1-24:11. How does this structure help us see Moses' intention to validate his authority as the mediator of the Law? How does the ANE background help us understand the Ten Commandments? How does the ANE background help us understand the Book of the Covenant?