Introduction to the Old Testament

To provide the student with an understanding of the world of the Old Testament and to equip him to undertake a scientific study of the Old Testament with a view towards interpreting it for himself and the wider community.

The course will deal with basic concepts in the formation of the OT including authorship, translation, and canon formation, Inspiration & Hermeneutics, Old Testament History & Geography, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew. There will be some content overlap with the Introduction to the NT course.

Class participation: 20%; several small pieces of coursework 80%

Basic introductions to the Bible/OT such as those of Harrington or Charpentier. However the student will be exposed to a wide variety of literature on the subject.

Official Church Documents: ‘Dei Verbum’, ‘Verbum Domini’ & ‘The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church.

2 hrs per week. (Not offered to lay students)

Msgr. James Gananapiragasam