This course introduces you to Deuteronomy, the final book of the Pentateuch which is also a bridge to the rest of the Old Testament. Deuteronomy consists mainly of God’s commandments to the ancient Israelites. It therefore also provides an excellent foundation for a study of Biblical ethics. The goal is to first understand these laws in their Old Testament context and then to explore their relevance and application to your own world and ministry. By the end of this course the student should be able to:
- Explain the place of Deuteronomy in the history of ancient Israel and in the development of the Old Testament canon
- Demonstrate understanding of various approaches to the structure of Deuteronomy
- Interpret passages dealing with God and worship in Deuteronomy and apply them in selected ministry contexts
- Interpret passages dealing with the themes of family, community living, and leadership and apply them in selected ministry contexts
- Use what has been learned in the course to compile and present a framework for Christian ethics, applied to a selected ethical issue