None

The student: 

can present an accurate description of the principles used in Reformed or Evangelical research of the Old Testament and evaluate the way in which researchers apply these principles in practice (LOQ 1 / MTP ET2);  

can clearly set forth and substantiate their own attitude as regards these principles in dialogue with historical critical, literary, and/or postmodern approaches of the Old Testament and its theology (LOQ 2,7 / MTP ET 2,3,4). 

Examples from the (Dutch) Reformed and Evangelical research tradition with regard to the Old Testament in comparison with historical critical, literary, and/or postmodern approaches of the Old Testament. 

Tutorials (with specific attention to the methodology of the field of Old Testament studies) 

Contact hours: ca. 5 (tutorials) 

Preparation: ca. 15 hours 

Self-study: 148 hours 

Examination of the essay according to the learning goals of this course. The essay must be written in the format of an article to be published in an academic journal such as Theologia Reformata, Nederlands Theologisch Tijdschrift, Tyndale Bulletin, or Bulletin of Biblical Research. The essay must deal with a topic from the Old Testament that enables the student to reflect critically and independently on the methodology and principles of Reformed or Evangelical research of the Old Testament. The topic must be chosen from the literature, in mutual agreement. The student develops an adequate research question for the essay, in consultation with the tutor. In addition to the already selected literature, the consultation of additional literature will often be required, for which the student is responsible. 

The student makes a choice and presents it to the tutor. The list below is indicative, not exhaustive. 

Literature in Dutch by Benne Holwerda, Herman Schilder, Henk de Jong, offering typical examples of a reformed salvation-historical approach. 

Bekkum, Koert van, and Gert Kwakkel, ‘De theologische boodschap van oudtestamentische Bijbelboeken. Oorsprong en actualiteit van de Kamper aandacht voor de heilshistorie’, in: Erik de Boer, Geranne Tamminga, and Dolf te Velde (eds), Gereformeerde theologie stroomopwaarts. Terugkijken op 75 jaar Vrijmaking, TU-Bezinningsreeks 24 (Buijten & Schipperheijn, 2021), 79-94. 

Brettler, Marc Zvi, Peter Enns & Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., The Bible and the Believer: How to Read the Bible Critically & Religiously (Oxford University Press, 2012). 

Brueggemann, Walter, Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy (Fortress, 1997). 

Dekker, Jaap, and Kasper de Graaf (eds), Christus in het Oude Testament. Henk de Jong over de verhouding tussen het Oude en het Nieuwe Testament, TU-Bezinningsreeks 27 (Buijten & Schipperheijn, 2024), 15-90. 

Goldingay, John, Approaches to Old Testament Interpretation. Updated Edition (Apollos, 1990)  

Graaf, S.G. de, parts of Promise and Deliverance (Paideia Press, 1977-2020). 

Greidanus, Sidney, Sola Scriptura: Problems and Principles in Preaching Historical Texts (Kok, 1970 / Wedge, 1970 / Wipf & Stock, 2001). 

Hays, Christopher M. & Christopher B. Ansberry (eds), Evangelical Faith and the Challenge of Historical Criticism (Baker Academic, 2013). 

Jong, Henk de, ‘All Under One Head: Christ’, Pro Rege 19/2 (1990), 19-26. 

Kwakkel, G., ‘On Finding the Theological Message of Old Testament Books: A Plea for Paying Attention to the Redemptive-Historical Context’, Unio cum Christo 5.1 (2019), 45-60. 

McConville, J. Gordon, Grace in the End: A Study of Deuteronomic Theology (Zondervan, 1993). 

Schilder, H.J., ‘Hoe lezen wij het Oude Testament’, in: Het Schrift dat niet verslijt: Opstellen over het OT (Van den Berg, 1983), 1-37. 

Veer, M.B. van ’t, My God is Yahweh: Elijah and Ahab in an Age of Apostacy (Paideia Press, 1980). 

Wright, Christopher J., Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament (IVP, 1992).  

Wright, Christopher J., The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative, Second Edition (IVP, 2025). 

Depending on their level and prior knowledge, students may also choose a topic related to the subject matter of their Master Thesis. Examples: History of Israel, History of the religion of Israel, Introduction to the canonical, textual, and literary problems of biblical books, Archaeology, Semantics, Umwelt, Old Testament theology, evaluated from a Reformed / Evangelical perspective.