Objectives & Outline

COURSE OBJECTIVES: WHY STUDY THE HISTORY OF SALVATION?

    1. Know the most important historical stages of Revelation to its culmination in Jesus Christ.
    2. Familiarise oneself with the geography and the history of Israel, the world of the Gospels, and the expansion of the early Church.
    3. Discover the main theological contents behind the events narrated in the Gospel.

COURSE OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Synoptic view: History of Salvation. The progressive revelation of God, One and Triune. Revelation and the salvation of all men. Situation of man before God. God reveals himself in history through words and actions. Christ as the summit and fullness of Revelation. The Church continues the mission of Christ on earth. History of Salvation, Biblical History and History of the Church.

II. THE BEGINNINGS

2. Creation. The beginnings of the history of Salvation. Analysis of the first 11 chapters of Genesis Creation of the world and of man: priestly narrative and Yahwist narrative. Origin of evil and hope of salvation. Cain and Abel. Increase of evil and punishment with the great flood: Noah.

III. THE TIME OF ISRAEL

3. The Patriarchs. Inauguration of the history of Salvation. Geographical boundaries: fertile Mesopotamia, Egypt and Chanaan. Origin of the patriarchs. The patriarchs in the history of Salvation. Periods of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: election, promise and faith.

4. Exodus. Joseph. Historical situation of Israel in Egypt. Revelation of the name of Yahweh. The Passover and the flight from Egypt. Constitution of the People of God: the Covenant of Sinai. Sanctity of the people: Leviticus. Moses, figure of Christ.

5. The Promised Land. (a) Preparation: Purification of the people in the desert (Book of Numbers). Covenant in Moab and the fidelity of the Lord (Book of Deuteronomy). (b) Establishment: Chronological and geographical context. Crossing of the Jordan and covenant in Sichem: Joshua. Fidelity and sin: the Judges.

6. The Monarchy. Samuel, Saul, David and Solomon. The prophecy of Nathan. Jerusalem and the Temple. Fall of Samaria. Reform of Josias. The voice of God: the prophets. Kingdom of the North (or Israel) and Kingdom of the South (or Juda): covenant, election and promises.

7. Exile and restoration. The fall of Jerusalem and the exile. Ezekiel and the disciples of Isaiah: consolation and expiation. The priests. Religious and literary activities. Persian rule: restoration of Israel and the Temple. Mission of Esdras and Nehemiah: the Law and the configuration of Judaism. Writing and compiling the sacred books.

8. Palestine under Greek and Roman rule. Palestine and the Ptolemys: the Septuagint. Palestine under the Seleucides: Maccabees’ rebellion and the Asmonean dynasty. Apocalyptic movements: Daniel and the hope of salvation. Qumran. Literary activity.

IV. THE TIME OF CHRIST

9. The land of Jesus. Geography. Palestinian Judaism before the destruction of the Temple: Pharisees, Saducees, Herodians, Zealots, Essenes, the “people of the land”. Languages spoken. Palestine at the time of Herod’s death: political and social situation.

10. Jesus, the Messiah Son of God. Chronology of the life of Jesus. Jesus the Prophet: the anointing of the Spirit. Jesus the Teacher: election of the disciples and teachings. Jesus and the Kingdom. Jesus and the Law. Jesus and the Temple. Jesus, Son of Man and Servant of Yahweh. The miracles of the Messiah.

11. Jesus. Mediator of a new Covenant. The Paschal Supper and the people of the New Covenant. The condemnation of Jesus. Death and Resurrection. Appearances of the Risen Christ and the apostolic mission.

V. THE TIME OF THE CHURCH

12. Birth of the Church. Pentecost. Social and religious situation of the Roman Empire during the 1st century. The community of Jerusalem, the Mother Church: basic features. Relation with the public authorities and the people. “Hebrew” Christians and “Hellenist” Christians.

13. Formation of the Christian communities outside Jerusalem. Expansion and conversions among the Gentiles. St. Peter. The Church of Antioch: Christianity, universal religion. The first Christians of Rome.

14. St. Paul and the preaching to the Gentiles. Gospel preached by St. Paul. The Council of Jerusalem. The first letters. Geographical situation and context of the Pauline communities. Other Pauline letters. Post-Apostolic period: consolidation of the right doctrine and of the ministry.

15. Other developments of the Church in Apostolic times. Description of the different Churches. Special consideration of the Churches connected with St. John. Judeo-Christianity. The spread of Christianity in the middle of the 2nd century.

16. The Church after the Apostolic and Post Apostolic time. The time of the church as a time for the preaching of the Gospel, of faith, of witness and of merit: the Church, community of believers and instrument of salvation. The figure of the Church will last until the end of time as Christ had established it.

COURSE GIVEN BY SCOTT HAHN

(You can also download the zipped file attached to this page.)

I. OVERVIEW

http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~vgg/rc/aplgtc/hahn/m2/Mod2.html

This course by Scott Hahn presents a broad overview of salvation history. The next five presentations will focus on how the Family of God developed throughout Biblical history. This Family of God begins with the marital covenant established with Adam and Eve and reaches its fulfillment in the international or universal covenant established by Jesus Christ with His followers, the Catholic Church. Scott draws from his encyclopedic knowledge of the Old Testament to show that since the Old Testament was a prototype of what was to be fulfilled with the coming of the Messiah, the better we understand the Old Testament, the greater appreciation we will have for God's handiwork in preparing His children for this awesome gift of salvation and divine sonship.

II. ONE HOLY FAMILY, ONE HOLY TRIBE

http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~vgg/rc/aplgtc/hahn/m2/slvhst1.html

This program discusses how God the Creator entered into a covenant with His creation: making Himself our Father, us creatures His children and the universe His glorious temple.

III. ONE HOLY TRIBE (continued)

http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~vgg/rc/aplgtc/hahn/m2/slvhst2.html

This program concludes the overview of salvation history from Adam to Noah.

IV. ONE HOLY NATION, ONE HOLY KINGDOM

http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~vgg/rc/aplgtc/hahn/m2/slvhst3.html

This program begins with the covenant with Noah and shows how the human family became divided into tribes. God chose one of these tribes, Abraham's, with which to make a blood covenant of faith and fidelity. Scott then shows how this covenant with Abraham is made manifest with the twelve tribes of Israel: making them His own national family and a priestly people.

V. ONE HOLY KINGDOM (continued)

http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~vgg/rc/aplgtc/hahn/m2/slvhst4.html

This program continues with a look at the Davidic Kingdom and at how God's covenant with David transforms Israel into a kingdom designed to teach His wisdom to the nations. It is this kingdom that will be the prototype of the Kingdom of God, the Catholic Church, not yet established in its perfection here on earth.

VI. ONE HOLY CHURCH

http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~vgg/rc/aplgtc/hahn/m2/slvhst5.html

This final program of the salvation history series brings it all together. All of the covenants of the Old Testament, all of the promises God made to His people are fulfilled in the New Covenant of Christ and His Church.

IMPORTANT LINKS ONLINE

Bible Map (http://www.biblemap.org/)

Bible Places (http://www.bibleplaces.com/)

Holy Land Photos (http://www.holylandphotos.org/)

Last updated: 17 February 2008