OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY IN OUTLINE FORM

1 1 OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY IN OUTLINE FORM (Formerly titled Old TESTAMENT SURVEY for the South Pacific) A general, historical and practical overview of the Old TESTAMENT By Rev. Dr. Willis Newman , , , , Copyright, 1987, Willis Newman Revised ed. Copyright, 1996, Polynesian Missions Published by Polynesian Missions Box 2462, Nuku'alofa, Tonga Copyright, 2009, Willis Newman Newman International, LLC 2 INTRODUCTION (1987 edition) This SURVEY manual is a general, historical and practical overview of the Old TESTAMENT . It provides a basic working knowledge of the Old TESTAMENT along with some fundamental tools for putting the teaching into practice.

2 This manual is geared to bring benefit to many: the Bible college student, the layperson, Christian worker, Sunday School teacher, and even the busy pastor will find encouragement and sermon ideas. The advanced student who wishes to explore the major issues in depth will also find direction and help, chiefly by the "basic Bible study library" at the end of manual. The manual may be read along with the Bible in the student's mother language and with a supplementary text such as The Old TESTAMENT Speaks by Samuel Schultz. For those students interested in the critical issues of the Old TESTAMENT the text A SURVEY of Old TESTAMENT Introduction by Gleason Archer, Jr.

3 Is recommended. In the Pacific Rim there are many religions with their "gods;" consequently, this manual begins with a fundamental statement about the general nature, purpose, structure and theme of the Bible. Included is an introduction to the God of the Bible: who He is, what He does and how He relates to mankind. Next, the flow of the manual is to journey through the historical unfolding of God's plan of redemption in a chronological order. The manual steps through the history of the Old TESTAMENT from one distinctive period of time to the next. Each of those segments are summarized in "snapshot" style and the major events and lessons are highlighted.

4 Chapter 12 offers the reader a brief OUTLINE of each book of the Old TESTAMENT along with the writer, date, and theme. The manual is meant to be practical; thus, a short section is given on how to study the Bible as well as how to pass the information on to others by way of preaching or teaching. The goal of the manual is to advance the interest of the Lord Jesus Christ: the completion of His church through evangelizing the lost and equipping the saints. It is my prayer that by the power of the thousands may come to know Christ, who is the sole source of eternal life, forgiveness of sin and happiness -- all made possible through His substitutionary atonement and resurrection from the dead.

5 To Him be glory, honor and praise forever. I wish to thank Dr. William Kerr, my mentor for many, many years, for his reading of this manual along with offering helpful suggestions and corrections. I also want to thank the following: Mel Erickson who led me to Christ in 1965, my students who have provided the occasion for the assembling of this information and the scores of godly men who have taught me through their lectures or books. Dr. Willis C. Newman, October, 1987 Honolulu, Hawaii. 3 INTRODUCTION (1996 edition) This edition follows the same format as the 1987 edition. More information regarding introductory issues has been added, the section on Documentary Theory has been modified and inserted as a new chapter.

6 The dating of the OT books has been refined and now reflects that of Ryrie's Study Bible. Minor changes and clarifications have been inserted here and there. The bibliography has been brought up to date, and an index has been added. My thanks goes to Esmie Mila who retyped the manuscript. Dr. Willis C. Newman, Nuku'alofa, Tonga, 1996. INTRODUCTION (2009 Edition) In this edition, I have not changed any of the content. I did, however, change some of the formatting for better ease of reading. The ebook started out as simply my lecture notes when I began teaching at International College and Graduate School of Theology in Honolulu, Hawaii.

7 From that experience, God called me to start a seminary and Bible college in the Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific. That is where I did major revision and addition to the work. It seems that one has more time while living on a South Pacific island! While serving as a missionary in Tonga, I helped start the teaching site for Faith Evangelical Seminary located in Tacoma, Washington, USA. The Tongan site is still in business, and under the leadership of Dr. Uili Fukofuka, presently the Director of Education for Tonga. Hundreds of students have graduated from the school. In 1998, I returned to the United States where I eventually took up teaching at a local community college, and continue at Faith Evangelical Seminary.

8 I am grateful to Dr. Michael Adams, President of Faith, for the opportunities he has given me. My Filipina wife, Esmeralda, and I are working on this website ( ), which seems like a never ending task. We desire to continue our missionary work through training and literature through the internet. The Newman Bible Academy has grown out of this desire and vision from God. Since this ebook is in OUTLINE form, I would encourage you to use the internet to find more detail on various places, people, and events. Although the free Wikipedia is not recommended by some, I have found it to be helpful in giving general overviews on places and people, plus giving excellent resources many that can be accessed by the internet.

9 Research has determined it to be fairly accurate. The Christian Classics Ethereal Library is another excellent tool, and is found at Dr. Willis & Esmeralda Newman Tacoma, Washington USA, 2009. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. INTRODUCTORY OVERVIEW A. The central theme and purpose in the Old TESTAMENT .. 7 B. The central Person in the Old TESTAMENT .. 8 C. The basic content of the Old TESTAMENT .. 8 D. The uniqueness of the Old TESTAMENT .. 9 E. The relationship between the Old and the New TESTAMENT .. 10 Introduction to God .. 11 A. The definition and existence of God .. 11 B.

10 The matter of creation vs. evolution .. 13 C. Some Introductory issues .. 16 1. Canon .. 16 2. Early civilizations .. 16 3. Times and dates .. 18 4. Who wrote Genesis .. 18 5. Authorship of the Pentateuch .. 20 6. Revelation and Inspiration .. 23 7. Interpretation .. 24 The Bird's - eye overview .. 25 A. Great time periods of the Old TESTAMENT .. 25 B. Various views of the Old TESTAMENT .. 27 C. The Old TESTAMENT Library .. 28 II. THE HISTORICAL CRITICAL METHOD. A. History and Background .. 29 JEDP Documents .. 31 Liberal Views of the Bible (selected quotes) .. 31 B. The Historical Critical Method Explained and Evaluated.