.jpg "Think the Old Testament is Boring? These Students Beg to Differ")
Think the Old Testament is Boring? These Students Beg to Differ
The core curriculum at Briercrest College includes BLST 111, a class designed to introduce students to the history, culture, literature, and theology of the Old Testament. It serves as an anchor not only for additional courses in Bible and Theology but for the entire Briercrest curriculum, whether the student chooses to pursue a one-year certificate, a two-year Associate’s degree, or a four-year Bachelor’s degree.
As a professor of the Old Testament, I consider it an honor to introduce my students to the world of the Bible every fall semester, and I take that responsibility very seriously as an act of service to Christ and his church.
I also recognize that first-year Briercrest students will have had a wide range of experiences with Scripture—from very little to quite a lot—prior to their arrival on campus. For this reason, the course is designed so that all students can succeed with flying colors regardless of what they already know (or don’t know) about the Bible when they show up on the first day. Class periods may involve lectures, discussions, slideshows, games, demonstrations, and other learning activities, all of which lead to new insights that are directly relevant to a life of faith.
What Are Students Saying?
But don’t take it only from me, the professor! My students know best what BLST 111 is really like. I asked five individuals currently enrolled in the course (Fall 2024) to comment on their recent experiences. These are some of their responses.
Nigel is from Victoria, BC, and is pursuing a four-year BA in Biblical Studies.
Paige is from West Kelowna, BC, and is pursuing a four-year BA in Christian Ministry.
Reuben is from Coaldale, AB, and is pursuing a one-year certificate in Biblical Studies.
Anna is from Glendive, Montana, and is pursuing a one-year certificate in Biblical Studies.
Adam is from North Battleford, SK, and is pursuing a four-year BA in General Studies.
Prof. Stulac: When you walked into BLST 111 on the first day, how did you feel? Were you excited, nervous, interested, or worried? Why?
Nigel: I was very excited to learn more about the Old Testament and to get a better understanding and appreciation of my Christian faith.
Paige: Honestly, I was feeling worried that the class would be boring! I had the idea that the Old Testament was the mundane, "non-applicable" part of the Bible.
Reuben: I was thrilled to discover how my ability to read and interpret the Bible would be deepened.
Anna: I didn’t know what to expect from BLST 111, but the first day of class made me very hopeful for the rest of the semester!
Adam: The first day of BLST 111 was intimidating. I was excited to dive into the course, but at the same time, I was anxious because of how little I felt I knew.
Prof. Stulac: What is the most important or most exciting thing that you have learned so far through your experience in BLST 111?
Nigel: The most important thing that I have learned so far is how to interpret the Old Testament through the eyes of a premodern person. I have become particularly intrigued by the way that people in an ancient context would have viewed history as pregnant with theological meaning.
Paige: I’ve learned to “read Scripture on its terms" by taking seriously each text’s literary genre. Some of the most common questions asked about the Old Testament now seem rather irrelevant. At the same time, the task of understanding the purpose or message of many Old Testament passages actually becomes easier.
Reuben: I’ve grown a new appreciation for the audience to which the Bible was written and the text’s theological purpose.
Anna: The most amazing thing I have learned so far in BLST 111 is the significance of God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15. God proved His lasting faithfulness, even when He knew His people would fail.
Adam: I’ve come to realize that the God of the Old Testament is the same as the God of the New Testament. Jesus Christ revealed what was in God’s heart all along: that we are sinners, but in his love for us, God gets dirty with us in order to transform us from the inside out.
Prof. Stulac: How has your view of the Old Testament begun to change as a result of your experience in BLST 111?
Nigel: I always knew that understanding the Old Testament was essential for a proper understanding of our Christian faith, but since taking this course, I have really begun to grasp why that is the case.
Paige: My view of the Old Testament used to be fairly negative, but that has totally changed. Learning about the Old Testament has helped me to understand the New Testament as just one part of a greater story—the story of God’s people whom he saves through Jesus Christ. And as my overall knowledge of God has grown in this way, my experience in worship has deepened.
Anna: I have begun to see the big story behind the smaller stories that make up the Old Testament. I no longer understand the Old Testament merely as a moral guidebook but as a display of God’s faithfulness, and that new approach has been life-changing.
Adam: I am deeply grateful that this class hasn’t consisted of only reading and rote memorization. It’s structured so that you see God in His true glory. The Old Testament is far more than just a precursor to the New Testament.
Prof. Stulac: If you could pass along one word of advice or encouragement to a prospective student who might be looking forward to BLST 111, what would that be?
Nigel: I am convinced that every Christian can benefit from taking this class. Any student looking into the Biblical Studies program at Briercrest will find this class to be an invaluable foundation for their further education and coursework.
Paige: Allow yourself to be transformed by the Old Testament, and don't hold on too tightly to your love of Veggie Tales!
Reuben: This course will challenge your view of the Bible. You must arrive with an open mind. Get ready to set aside your predispositions and expand your thinking about the Old Testament.
Anna: I would encourage any prospective student to come to this class excited to learn. Don’t miss the opportunity to grow—really take advantage of it. The Old Testament is a foundation for the rest of the Bible, and understanding it is critical for Christians.
Adam: Buckle up and prepare to be transformed in an utterly beautiful way, though, at times, hard to process. Prepare to gain a much deeper knowledge of the Old Testament than you would expect to gain from a 100-level course!
Where to Find More Biblical Studies Courses
