Encountering the Old Testament, 4th Edition
A Christian Survey
series: Encountering Biblical Studies
Materials available for professors by request only
Chapter
3. Introduction to the Pentateuch: The Birth of God’s People
Discussion Questions
- How would you explain exactly what the Pentateuch is?
- Of what importance is the Pentateuch to the contemporary study of the Old Testament?
- What are the significant themes found in the Pentateuch?
- How do evangelical scholars differ from critical scholars in their position on the authorship of the Pentateuch?
Class Activities
- Divide the class into five groups. Assign each group one of the following types of criticism:
form criticism
canonical criticism
redaction criticism
tradition criticism
literary criticism
Have each group define one type of criticism for the class. As they do this, make a chart on the board illustrating what they have said. - Select media that will explain higher criticism. Present it in class and then ask the students to react to it.
- Identify the works of evangelical scholars and explain how their views on authorship of the Pentateuch vary from the positions of critical scholars.