Introduction to the Old Testament

Course Description:  Looking at the Hebrew Scripture as a whole, as well as highlighting the historical and theological dynamics of the separate books. A study of the literature of the biblical drama as witnessed in God’s relationship with the people Israel.  Provides students with the opportunity to develop skills for interpreting Hebrew scripture, skills useful in personal spiritual formation and in the life and ministry of the church.

Instructor:  Clem Graham,   lives in Neosho, MO.  He is a graduate of Tulsa University (1960)  and Phillips Theological Seminary (1965), with a year at the Presbyterian seminary in Edinburgh, Scotland.  He also has a degree in Counseling Psychology (1990) from the University of Oregon.   He is a retired minister of the Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ), with service as both Associate and Senior Pastor (Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Oregon, Missouri), as a Camp Administrator and in ecumenical ministry (Director, Tulsa Youth Ministry for Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries). He has also worked extensively in youth ministry and authored educational materials for youth.

Since 2001, he has taught college courses in Western Civ., World and Middle Eastern Religions, Intro to Philosophy, Critical Thinking, The History of Christianity, The Life and Teachings of Jesus, and several of these have been online. More recently, he began teaching classes in the virtual world, Second Life.  He is married and has 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren.  He has an interest in the natural sciences with an abiding concern for the tension between religion and science:  I'm doing some self-study on evolutionary biology in order to help people of faith get past the false dichotomy between faith and reason.   

Dates:  April 5 through May 31, 2010 

Cost:  $390