The Old Testament

Course Overview

Engage more fully with the Old Testament as this course teaches you to apply various forms of interpretation to better understand this treasured work.

The Old Testament, written in ancient Israel by many different authors over the course of a thousand years, has had more meaning to more people than any other book in history. Its influence permeates our culture, from medieval mystery plays to modern novels, art, music, and more. What can this work teach us about its authors and the people of its time? Can new academic understanding also inform faith?

In a series of 24 lively lectures, Professor Levine takes you through the Old Testament, revealing vital insights from archaeology, cross-cultural studies, and comparative religion that deepen your understanding. While the focus is on historical and literary issues, Professor Levine emphasizes that academic study can enhance, rather than undermine, religious faith.

Video Lecture List

1. In the Beginning

• 32 min
• Explore diverse issues and approaches in biblical interpretation through Genesis.

1. Adam and Eve

• 31 min
• Examine Genesis as a foundational narrative, its complexity, and its ancient Near Eastern connections.

1. Murder, Flood, Dispersion

• 31 min
• Investigate major themes in Genesis through the stories of Cain, Noah, and the Tower of Babel.

1. Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar

• 30 min
• Analyze Abraham’s role and relationships, including the theme of promises.

1. Isaac

• 31 min
• Introduce source criticism through the accounts of Isaac and Rebecca.

1. The Jacob Saga

• 29 min
• Uncover insights through form criticism with the stories of Jacob and Esau.

1. Folklore Analysis and Type Scenes

• 30 min
• Learn about biblical plot lines and their cultural significance via type-scene analysis.

1. Moses and Exodus

• 31 min
• Study the narrative of Exodus and its themes of liberation and divine power.

1. The God of Israel

• 30 min
• Delve into the nature of God revealed in Exodus and the Pentateuch.

1. Covenant and Law, Part I

• 30 min
• Discover ancient Near Eastern legal contracts and their relevance to biblical covenants.

(…Continued through all 24 lectures)