Academy

Historical Books

BIB507 The Book of Joshua

The Book of Joshua is a warrior’s book of adventure and conquest—even the days were not long enough for some of his battles! Earning his spurs as an undercover agent, he, forty years later, was selected to take command of the Nation during the conquest of the land of the covenant—dispossessing the usurpers.

An often-overlooked aspect of this book is its anticipatory role for the Book of Revelation, in which another Yehoshua, as Commander-in-Chief, dispossesses the Planet Earth of its usurpers—first sending in two witnesses, then with a series of judgments of sevens, ultimately defeats the adversary kings with signs in the sun and moon, etc.

This “Sixth Book of the Torah” is a book of both physical and spiritual battles with many lessons for all of us. The allocation of the land to the Twelve Tribes—and the myths of the “Ten Lost Tribes”—are also explored.

Course Objectives:

Gain a deeper understanding of the conquest
Discover messages hidden beneath the direct text itself
Apply the teaching to our lives

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Joshua (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 8 sessions
Credit: 2 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB508-1 The Book of Judges – Unit 1

Some have attempted to ban this book from public libraries because it is deemed unsuitable for children. It contains graphic material so explicit that it has shocked many that such passages are even in the Bible! Yet it contains some of the most colorful—and enigmatic— Biblical characters. Fans of historical romance, military history, soap operas, conspiracy, spy novels, swashbuckling adventure, or political intrigue will find it all here.

Judges is the story of a deteriorating nation—a sober warning against the deterioration in our nation, and in our personal lives. It is a study of the failures of the generations following Joshua: a repeti- tive pattern of drifting into apathy and ingratitude, followed by a petition for a deliverer, and a subsequent deliverance. “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes” continues to describe our own day. The lessons of Judges are timely and applicable to our own walk. The regions in which major defeats occurred are still in dispute today. (The world will continue to challenge the Abrahamic Covenant until it is resolved at Armageddon.)

Course Objectives:

See an object lesson in incomplete obedience; the cycle of sin
Follow the story of a deteriorating nation which serves as a sober warning against deterioration in our own nation and in our personal lives

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Judges (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 7 sessions
Credit: 2 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB508-2 The Book of Judges – Unit 2

Judges is the story of a deteriorating nation—a sober warning against the deterioration in our nation, and in our personal lives. It is a study of the failures of the generations following Joshua: a repetitive pattern of drifting into apathy and ingratitude, followed by a petition for a deliverer, and a subsequent deliverance. “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes” continues to describe our own day. The lessons of Judges are timely and applicable to our own walk. The regions in which major defeats occurred are still in dispute today. (The world will continue to challenge the Abrahamic Covenant until it is resolved at Armageddon.)

Course Objectives:

See an object lesson in incomplete obedience; the cycle of sin
Follow the story of a deteriorating nation which serves as a sober warning against deterioration in our own nation and in our personal lives

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Judges (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 7 sessions
Credit: 2 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB509 The Books of Ruth and Esther

Heralded for their literary value for centuries, both the books of Ruth and Esther are filled with intrigue, romance, and action similar to that of any modern-day screen play. Ruth is venerated as an elegant love story while Esther is a dramatic account of foiled plots and retribution. However, this is not their most rewarding feature. God’s use of these two faithful and pivotal Old Testament women brings a new understanding of His faithfulness and the importance of our faithful participation.

Course Objectives:

Examine the exemplar of the Kinsman-Redeemer and the link between Bethlehem and the line of David
Discover unique craftsmanship of prophetic typology unrivaled anywhere in Scripture
Explore the only book in the Bible in which the name of God or other divine title does not appear, unless one knows how and where to look

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Ruth and Esther (MP3 CD-ROM or DVD is recommended as they include computer-aided visuals)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 10 sessions
Credit: 3 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB510-1 The Books of 1st and 2nd Samuel – Unit 1

This study examines the first two of the four historical books of “kings”; it forms a bridge between the ties of the Judges and the monarchy of Israel. It includes the installation of King Saul and the subsequent anointing and reign of David as king. This is foundational to the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the Messianic hope.

The two books of Samuel also form a basic foundational study in the Old Testament. An understanding of this basic history is essential, not only to understanding the Old and New Testaments, but in gaining a valid perspective of eschatological issues as well.

Course Objectives:

Understand how Samuel, Israel’s last and greatest judge, was also a prophet (1 Sam 3:20) and a priest (9:12–13). In his old age he served as God’s adviser to Israel’s first king
Explore the story of two men, though the Biblical focus soon shifts from the flawed Saul to his more godly successor, David

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of 1st and 2nd Samuel (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 8 sessions
Credit: 2 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB510-2 The Books of 1st and 2nd Samuel – Unit 2

This study continues to examine the first two of the four historical books of “kings”; it forms a bridge between the ties of the Judges and the monarchy of Israel. It includes the installation of King Saul and the subsequent anointing and reign of David as king. This is foundational to the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the Messianic hope.

Course Objectives:

Understand how David’s march to the throne was a difficult one
Examine how David is known as one of the great men of faith and how his personal qualities and faith provide examples for believers of every age

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of 1st and 2nd Samuel (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 8 sessions
Credit: 2 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB511-1 The Books of 1st & 2nd Kings – Unit 1

This study continues the exploration of the four historical books with the career of Solomon, the subsequent civil war and the division of the nation after his death. The deterioration of both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms is covered in some detail, all the way to their destined captivities by the Assyrian and Babylonian Empires, respectively.

Course Objectives:

Study the golden age of Solomon’s reign
Discover the moral decline that lead to the divided kingdom
Observe the passion and power of the prophet Elijah

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Books of 1 & 2 Kings (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 8 sessions
Credit: 2 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB511-2 The Books of 1st & 2nd Kings – Unit 2

Course Objectives:

Observe the passion and power of Elisha the prophet
Study the events leading to the demise of the Northern Kingdom
Follow the surviving kingdom and observe what brought about its demise.

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 8 sessions
Credit: 2 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB512 The Books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles

This study explores the priestly history of the Southern Kingdom, with emphasis on the Davidic dynasty and its decline, up to its subsequent captivity by the Babylonian Empire.

Course Objectives:

Explore the priestly history of the Southern Kingdom
Emphasize the Davidic dynasty and its decline
Study the Davidic dynasty and its subsequent captivity by the Babylonian Empire

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of 1st and 2nd Chronicles (MP3 CD-ROM or DVD is recommended as they include computer-aided visuals)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 16 sessions
Credit: 4 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB513 The Books of Ezra & Nehemiah

These “post-exile books” record the return of the captives from Babylon (granted freedom by Cyrus upon conquering the Babylonian Empire) to the land of Israel to rebuild the Temple.

The resulting frustrations and setbacks are dealt with when Nehemiah ultimately obtains the authorization to rebuild the City of Jerusalem.

The continuing myths of the “Ten Lost Tribes” are examined. The remarkable leadership lessons of Nehemiah are also emphasized.

Course Objectives:

Understand the difference between the two historic decrees given to the returning exiles.
Examine Nehemiah’s leadership during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.
Recognize how easily people return to sinful ways even after judgement.

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Ezra & Nehemiah (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 8 sessions
Credit: 2 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB514 The Book of Job

Job is the oldest book of the Bible. Victor Hugo called it the “greatest masterpiece of the human mind.” It deals with far more than simply “Why do the innocent suffer?” The primary lesson in the Book of Job is the oldest lesson in the world and the most important lesson that is possible for us to learn: the nature of human evil.

Exploring the many discourses of Job’s “friends,” we discover the things which are really the fruit of something deeper in human nature: a deep-seated root of pride that expresses itself as independence and self-sufficiency.

Life is not a spectator sport, and the Book of Job is a behind-the-scenes peek at what prompted the entire drama. (Ephesians 6:10-12).

This study will also explore the mysterious fourth commentator; God’s provocative science quiz; and, the apparent allusions to dinosaurs and fire-breathing dragons.

Course Objectives:

To explore our need for a valid perspective which strips away our illusions and presents life as it really is
To gain an insightful perspective about how God handles evil, vindicates His character, works out His purposes, and is ultimately responsible for everything that happens
To gain a deeper understanding of our Creator and the infinite joy He ultimately intends if we faithfully wait for His purposed “ends” to be fully accomplished

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Job (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 8 sessions
Credit: 2 credit hours REGISTER HERE