Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion you should be able to:

• Outline the basic structure of Daniel and summarize its contents

• Describe the historical, literary, and canonical contexts of the book of Daniel

• Highlight the key historical events that inform a correct interpretation of Daniel

• Discuss the main hermeneutical and interpretive issues involved in the book of Daniel

• Summarize each literary unit of the book and explain how each contributes to the overall message of the book

• Articulate the various genres contained in the book

• Identify key theological themes in Daniel and trace them throughout the book

• Explain the overall message of Daniel and its relevance for believers today

Course Outline

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and the Course

Unit 1: Introduction to the Book

• Overview of Daniel

• Theology of Daniel

• Introduction to Hermeneutical Issues

• Genre: Daniel in the Hebrew Canon

• Genre: Daniel in the Christian Canon

• Author and Date

• Audience, Setting, and Purpose

• Literature/Genre

• Date Formulas

• Language: Part 1

• Language: Part 2

Unit 2: Daniel 1: Abstinence from Food

• Introduction to Daniel 1

• Kings and Gods in the Ancient Near East

• Historical and Geographical Setting

• Characters and Setting

• The Plot

• Resolution and Foreshadowing

Unit 3: Daniel 2: Nebuchadnezzar’s Statue Dream

• Introduction to Daniel 2

• Chronology

• Dreams in the Ancient Near East

• Daniel’s Prayer/Praise

• The Source of True Wisdom

• The Statue Dream

• The Interpretation

• Purpose of the Chapter

Unit 4: Daniel 3: Fiery Furnace

• Introduction to Daniel 3

• Narrative Features: Repetition

• Narrative Features: Reasons for Repetition

• The Decree and the Image

• The Accusation/Offense and the Challenge

• The Confession

• In the Furnace and Theology of Daniel 3

Unit 5: Daniel 4: Nebuchadnezzar’s Tree Dream

• Introduction to Daniel 4

• Nebuchadnezzar and Nabonidus

• Nebuchadnezzar’s Letter

• The Tree Dream

• The Interpretation: Part 1

• The Interpretation: Part 2

• The Fulfillment

Unit 6: Daniel 5: Handwriting on the Wall

• Introduction to Daniel 5

• The Banquet

• The Handwriting on the Wall

• The Queen’s Speech and Belshazzar’s Speech

• Daniel’s Speech

• Darius the Mede

Unit 7: Daniel 6: Daniel in the Lion’s Den

• Introduction to Daniel 6

• The Setting and the Decree

• Accusation and Condemnation

• Deliverance from the Lions’ Den

• Doxology and Conclusion

Unit 8: Daniel 7: Daniel’s Vision of Four Beasts

• Introduction to Daniel 7

• Apocalyptic Literature

• Vision Report

• The Beasts

• Throne Room and One Like a Son of Man

• Vision Interpretation

• Conclusion and Purpose of Daniel 7

Unit 9: Daniel 8: Daniel’s Vision of Ram and Goat

• Introduction to Daniel 8

• Report of the Vision

• Vision Interpretation and Conclusion

• The Big Picture of Daniel 2, 7, and 8

Unit 10: Daniel 9: Daniel’s Prayer and the 70 Weeks

• Introduction to Daniel 9

• Historical Setting and Daniel’s Reflection on Jeremiah

• The Meaning of the Number Seventy

• Daniel’s Prayer

• The Revelation (Seventy Weeks)

• Interpretive Issue #1: Whose Word?

• Interpretive Issue #2: Seven and Sixty-Two Weeks

• Interpretive Issue #3: First Anointed One and End of First Seven Weeks

• Interpretive Issue #4: Second Anointed One

• Interpretive Issue #5: Seventieth Week

• Outlining the Views of the Seventy Weeks

• Eschatological Views on the Seventy Weeks: Messianic (Literal and Symbolic)

• Eschatological Views on the Seventy Weeks: Non-Messianic

• Historical Views on the Seventy Weeks: Messianic and Non-Messianic

• Summary and Purpose of Daniel 9

Unit 11: Daniel 10–12: The Kings of the North and the South

• Introduction to Daniel 10–12 and Spiritual Warfare

• The Angel’s Revelation: Part 1

• The Angel’s Revelation: Part 2

• The King Who Exalts Himself

• The Resurrection and the End of Time

• The Big Picture of Daniel

Details

• Title: OT366 Book Study: Daniel and Its Literary and Historical Contexts

• Instructor: Wendy Widder

• Publisher: Lexham Press

• Publication Date: 2016

• Product Type: Logos Mobile Education

• Resource Type: Courseware, including transcripts, audio, and video resources

• Courses: 1

• Video Hours: 6