Bible course 101 features lectures by Marvin R. Wilson, Ph.D., the Harold J. Ockenga Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Gordon College and author of the best-selling book Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith.

This is the first of a two-part series that analyzes the Hebrew Scriptures, and presents the Jewish understanding of their major divisions and canonicity. This series equips the student with a comprehensive knowledge of the TaNaKh, an acronym categorizing the Hebrew Scriptures under Torah, Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings), with an understanding that the Apostolic Scriptures are a continuation of the Hebrew Scriptures. It evaluates the distinction between written and oral tradition, discusses issues of canonicity and historical preservation of Scripture, and examines the Bible as both God’s Word and a work of art with its various literary genres.

Part 1 of this two-part series (Bible course 101) focuses on the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), whereas Part 2 (Bible course 102) focuses on the Nevi’im and Ketuvim. This course provides an opportunity to view 45 half-hour lectures by Dr. Wilson on the Hebrew Scriptures, and especially the Torah, as the Bible of Jesus.

While the requirements for 101 have been designed for academic credit for undergraduates, a graduate-level version of this course is also available (501), as is the opportunity to view this course’s video lectures for personal development (without academic credit).

Required texts for 101 (for academic credit) include the Bible (especially the Torah), as well as three other textbooks: Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer’s Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (which includes a superb CD with study aids), Ronald Youngblood’s The Heart of the Old Testament: A Survey of Key Theological Themes (2nd ed.), and David J. Zucker’s The Torah: An Introduction for Christians and Jews. Course requirements also include successful completion of sixteen online tests concerning the readings and video lectures.

Should you have any questions concerning this course, please feel free to contact its tutor, Robert W. Bleakney, Ph.D., Associate Professor, at rbleakney@hebraiccenter.org.