Old Testament Study – Introduction

    In this study, we will be attempting an in-depth look at the history
behind the pages of the Old Testament.  It has long been a conviction of mine
that the majority of Christians lack a real understanding of the events which
surround and shape the story we find there, and my own personal experience
shows that even a survey-level knowledge of this historical background can
revolutionize one’s understanding of this two-thirds portion of the Word of
God.  This I will attempt to provide; and following this, I will take a brief
look at each of the books of the Old Testament and try to fit them into the
historical picture.

    But before beginning the study, I have deemed it necessary to lay a few
foundations on which to build.  To do this I have made available four files in
which I discuss briefly the contents of the Old Testament, something of the
land the Israelites occupied and its importance in their history, and a little
about about the world view of the Old Testament authors, especially vis-a-vis
their understanding of history.  In the fourth file I have summarized briefly
the history which we will be examining in depth in the coming weeks – or
rather, as seems more likely, months.  Read it to get some idea of where I’ll
be going in this study.  And I would strongly urge those who would like to
participate in this study to download all four files and look them over first.
A brief understanding of the topics they discuss is, I feel, essential to what
is to come.

    And please be sure to pray for me, constantly.  This is a big undertaking,
and I just hope I haven’t gone and bit off more than I can chew.  Pray that
the Lord will give me the stamina and the time I will need to complete it.
Guess that’s it for now.  I’ll be back in just a few weeks with the first
installment.  Until then, God bless one and all.

Calvin Culver