Ideas for uni ministry – Reading Guide to the OT
Not the whole OT, just the Pentateuch (Genesis – Deuteronomy) and the Deuteronomistic History (Deut/Josh – 2 Kings)…and even then just key sections I reckon.
What I imagine would be extremely useful is a 100 or so page reading guide to these two foundational sections of the OT. Something aimed at helping an interested reader discover the structure, themes, important issues and links to the NT.
Having studied them this year I feel like I have a good grasp now on the broad sweep of Israels foundational history and the theological reflection done upon it by the biblical writers.
I guess this idea may not seem overly inspiring to many at a first glance, perhaps even a bit boring? That’s exactly why I reckon a guide like this would be great. Understanding this part of God’s word (for me) has been far from boring. It’s great stuff! And I reckon others could find it to be so too.
Who knows, I might get to writing something myself. Want to help?
YES.
When Andrew Reid became AFES National Director in 1985-ish, he identified basic hermeneutics as a key issue for students — and wrote and published “Postcard from Palestine”.
I think we need to be doing the same thing — creating those resources ourselves, and taking it seriously enough to see them through to publication in some form or other so that others can use them. I die a little inside every time I think about the amount of wheel-reinvention that must happen in uni ministry…
So I’m pumped about it! Already this summer T and I want to fix up our “Telling God’s story: Biblical theology for evangelism” course…
Reply to ArthurHave you reviewed what else is out there? It might be an interesting exercise to see what is in the market.
If it turns out you won’t be duplicating someone, that might prove an intriguing project to be on.
Reply to Jason@arthur – love to see the BT thing. Send it my way when you’re done if you don’t mind!!
@jason – no, haven’t reviewed. Putting this out there is a subtle display of laziness. Am half hoping some reader will alert me to such a resource already out there. I’ll look around though. let me know if you see anything.
Reply to reubenhi there. stumbled across this post via michael jensen’s blog. I work with UCCF (IFES) in London, and despite a keen & capable staff team, it’s sometimes frustrating how much time & quality is often lost in wheel-reinvention – despite reading fairly widely for a recent series training cell group leaders in how to misread/misapply the bible (using the book of Daniel), I’ve had to pretty much develop it all myself.
Although there’s definitely value in producing ones own material, I’d definitely be interested to hear if/when/what you produce something on these lines.
Quality finished resources like ‘Postcard from Palestine’, ‘Leading Better Bible Studies’ (Morris & Morris), or ‘Dig Deeper’ (Beynon & Sach, IVP) on evangelical bible handling are fairly few and far between – there’s plenty at the theory level (goldsworthy, greidanus, etc), and plenty at the application level (explore notes/stott bible study series), but not much in between.
Reply to Chris OldfieldHi Chris, thanks for dropping by and for your comment – I agree. there is some great stuff out there, but plenty of ‘gaps’ too.
I’ll let you know if anything comes of this, and pray that God blesses your work in London!
Reply to reubenGreat idea. Love to be kept in the loop and even help.
Reply to Craig McCSure Craig, you are now inside the loop and i’ll keep you there
hope holidays are going well!
Reply to reubenHi commenters, particularly jase and craig…
I’ve been looking around and have not found anything that would fit in the introductory/overview category i am imagining this kind of resource would occupy. The closest i’ve seen are the “exploring the OT” series (pentateuch/history etc)
http://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Old-Testament-Guide-Pentateuch/dp/0830825517
Have you read them? seen anything else out there?
Andrew Reid, when i ran this idea past him, said that there is nothing out there aimed at this sort of level.
Perhaps we should chat more over a coffee? When are you likely to be around newtown again? I might sketch out a chapter to talk over as i get time.
Reply to reuben