The Book of Genesis:

2003 second half

Intensive weekend course 30 hr contact time

Dr Leong Tien Fock

Director of OT studies for Church Based Theological Education

B.E. (Hons) in Civil Engineering (University of Malaya, 1981)

M.A. in Old Testament Studies (Wheaton College Graduate School, 1989)

M.A., Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures (University of

California, Los Angeles, 1991, 1994)

This course is a theological study of Genesis as historical narrative. It

pays attention to Genesis as the first book of the Bible: 1) Genesis sets

into motion an overarching narrative that stretches all the way to

Revelation; 2) If it is removed from the Bible, neither the Old nor New

Testament will make much theological sense; 3) It begins where the search

for meaning in the universe ends. The relevance of Genesis to contemporary

human concerns is also stressed. Genesis 1-2 presents God's design for the

human race that transcends the subsequent cultural developments corrupted by

sin. Genesis 3-11 gives perspectives and insights into human society and

civilization not available in secular anthropology and sociology. The

patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) are full of wisdom--Abraham is a

model for faith development and Joseph is a model for leadership

development.

There are two assignments. The first is a review of a book to be announced.

The other is a research paper that applies theological perspectives and

insights from Genesis to contemporary issues. A careful interpretation and

application of the biblical text(s) as well as an adequate understanding of

the contemporary issue(s) are expected.