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Final Exam Study Guide

Why Read the Old Testament?

  • Think about the spiritual, theological, and moral reasons Christians value the Old Testament.

  • Consider how the Old Testament foreshadows the New Testament.

  • Be ready to name examples from Scripture that support each reason.

Christians value the Old Testament today because of: Theology, Liturgy and Spirituality, Ethics, Messianism.

Theology: Creatio ex nihilo in Genesis 1 - God created the world from nothing and it was good, God made man in His Image, according to His likeness, and it was very good. God reveals His personal name (YHWH) in Exodus. Monotheism prophesied - "I am the Lord, and there is no other god"

Liturgy: Psalter is integral to our prayer life. In the Psalter, I will find psalms about joy and about sorrow, about thanksgiving, about struggling with God, etc. The Lectionary and the Liturgical/Hymnographical/Iconographical themes.

Ethical: The Ten Commandments in Exodus, the Schema in Deuteronomy, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" in Leviticus, "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6)

Messianism: Prophecies, e.g. "the virgin shall bear a son and call His name Immanuel" (Isaiah)

Divine Inspiration & Human Language

  • Reflect on how God communicates eternal truths in human terms.

  • Know the term that describes God’s "condescension" in Scripture.

  • Remember which Church Father articulated this idea.

God communicates eternal truths to humanity through natural means (e.g. "The Creation proclaims the glory of God") or supernatural means (e.g. in Scripture and Tradition that are Inspired by God)

Inspiration is "God-breathed"

St John Chrysostom coined the term "condescension"


Old Testament Canon in the Orthodox Church

  • Understand how the Eastern Orthodox canon differs from others.

  • Know the local council that contributed to canon formation in the 4th century AD.

  • Identify the Church Father who helped shape the canon in the East.


Early Manuscripts of the Septuagint

  • Familiarize yourself with major manuscripts from the 4th–5th centuries AD.

  • Know their names and historical significance.


Orthodox View of Scripture

  • Understand how the Orthodox Church integrates Scripture and Tradition.

  • Be able to recognize which formula best reflects the Orthodox view.


The Divided Monarchy: Judah

  • Know the dates and key events of the Divided Monarchy period.

  • Identify Judah’s first king, capital city, and notable prophets.

  • Be able to briefly outline Judah’s role during this era.

 

Moses’ Encounter in Midian

  • Focus on the location, context, and divine message of Moses’ encounter.

  • Reflect on the significance of this moment in Moses’ calling.


Deuteronomistic History

  • Understand the historical and theological scope of this biblical narrative.

  • Know which books are part of this history and its main themes.


Post-Exilic Prophets

  • Consider what challenges faced Israel after the Babylonian exile.

  • Know which prophets belong to this period and their core messages.


Elijah’s Revelation

  • Recall how God revealed Himself to Elijah—not through expected means.

  • Be ready to describe the setting, the form of the revelation, and its theological meaning.

1 Kings 19:11-15 - God spoke to Elijah through a murmuring sound and he detected meaning in that sound


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