BIB 104: Genesis to Song of Solomon
A survey of the Old Testament's first 22 books in their historical, literary, and cultural context.
Course Description
BIB 104 walks students through the first half of the Old Testament — from Genesis through Song of Solomon — with attention to the historical setting, literary form, and cultural background of each book. The course covers the Pentateuch, the historical books of Israel, and the wisdom and poetic literature, drawing out the main teachings of each.
Rather than chasing every detail, the class equips students to read each book on its own terms while seeing how the Old Testament holds together as a story. Practical principles for Christian living are drawn from the material throughout — Scripture as something to be lived, not just learned.
Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Learning Outcomes
Trace the Pentateuch
Read Genesis through Deuteronomy as a unified literary and theological foundation.
Engage the Historical Books
Place Joshua through Esther in their ancient Near Eastern setting.
Read Wisdom and Poetry
Interpret Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon on their own terms.
Identify Main Teachings
Articulate the central message of each book covered.
Apply to Life
Draw practical principles for Christian living from the Old Testament narrative.
Biblical Worldview Connection
A Biblical Worldview takes the Old Testament seriously as more than backstory — it's the ground floor of everything the New Testament builds on. BIB 104 reads these 22 books as Scripture: trustworthy in its account, coherent across its parts, and still speaking into how readers think and live today.
Explore Programs With This Course
BIB 104 anchors the Old Testament side of ACU's Biblical Studies Intensive Minor. Explore the programs that include it.
