Instructor shared personal experience with using laptops in grad school.
Prayer and blessing for increase in mental energy and faith (Christian ideology).
Importance of engaging with biblical theology for three days, described it as a passion.
Start of Class
The instructor invites participants to introduce themselves: name, location, role, and favorite ice cream flavor.
Some humor and light comments during introductions. Emphasis on community.
Instructor's background: From Oregon, lead pastor at Grace City Church, professor at Every Nation Seminary.
Witnessed personal transformation through biblical theology; passion for guiding students through the entire Bible.
Purpose of Biblical Theology
Understanding Biblical Theology:
Defined as connecting the storylines of the Bible.
Hamilton’s book referenced—important for understanding literary structures, context, and styles in the Bible.
Emphasis on meditating on God's story and experiencing deeper love for Jesus through theological study.
Tools for Understanding the Bible
The Bible contains interconnected stories and structures meant to be read meditatively and cyclically.
Various canonical texts in the Bible demand a revisit for comprehensive understanding.
Emphasized avoiding superficial knowledge and seeking a deeper narrative.
Not just rote learning but engaging with the text for wisdom for salvation.
Paul and the Old Testament
Discussion on Paul's letters, specifically II Timothy 3:14-17.
The Old Testament brings wisdom and points to salvation through faith in Jesus.
Equipped for good works through the Old Testament.
Understanding reference patterns in Paul's writings as well as recognizing narrative and typological connections across Old Testament and New Testament writings.
Biblical and Literary Concepts
Explained the difference between textual representation vs. the events/characters being described.
Authors used layered literary methods to convey meanings beyond literal:
God’s creation narrative in Genesis is meant to convey theological truths and not necessarily scientific realism.
Comparison between real imagery and artistic representation: importance of viewing the Bible as theological art.
The Bible as having multiple levels of significance with historical, narrative, and theological dimensions.
Structure of Creation Narratives
Genesis 1: Creation story structure and its purpose in conveying order from chaos.
Six days split into creating form and filling that form (tohu vavohu).
Emphasis on the symmetry and intentional design in the creation narrative.
Creation of light, sky, land, seas, vegetation, luminaries, animals, and ultimately humans in God’s image.
Differences between ancient near east creation stories and the Genesis creation story.
Other traditions use violence; Genesis depicts God creating with ease and authority.
Concept of Divine Image and Representation
Human purpose: Made in the image of God (tselem), meant to rule over Earth as God's representatives.
Hebrew term 'tselem' also means idol, but in terms of divine representation, not worship.
Humans as divine partnership—authority shared by God with humans for governing and stewardship.
Patterns of relationship and partnership visible from divine creation to human interaction (relational God creating relationship-driven humans).
Role and Significance of Divine Council
Hebrew conceptualization of God’s divine council:
Elohim and the presence of other spiritual beings (Psalm 82).
The presence of God surrounded by other elohim (powers, principalities, and spiritual beings).
Scriptural examples showing multiple beings (heavenly council) in divine decision-making.
Image of God and Human Authority
Humans created not as divine themselves but as rulers and representations of divine power on Earth.
Discussion on the relational nature of God and implications for understanding purpose and ruling authority.
Study of Pattern in Biblical Narrative
Understanding the deeper theological patterns and ramifications within the creation story.
Genesis 1's literary symmetry and narrative provide theological insights and expectations for readers to discern overarching themes.
Final Notes and Preview
Preview of the continuation post-lunch with a look into deepening the understanding of Biblical Theology from Genesis onwards.
Instructor emphasized a deeper dive into the narrative to find endemic theological truths within the structure of biblical text.