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Old Testament Overview – Introduction – Part 0

Written by

Jay Downes

in

March 11, 2025

Bible Study, Old Testament Study

Lead by Norwalk Campus Pastor Dan Kromidas

My Notes-

Bible Theology – The study of the progressive revelation of a topic in Scripture.

The goal is to understand why a book was preserved in the Old Testament and its purpose in the narrative God is revealing.

Human beings are wired to communicate complex ideas through stories in a way that mere facts cannot fully convey.

The way we understand human life depends on our conception of the overarching human story. What is the real story to which my life belongs? — Leslie Newbigin

The Foundation of Reading the Bible: Luke 24:25-27

“He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
— Luke 24:25-27 (NIV)

The Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)

  • The Law of Moses
  • The Prophets
  • The Psalms

Jesus says that everything was written to point to Him.
God is acting in history for the salvation of the world.

The Acts of Scripture (Outlined by Human Rubric)

The “Drama of Scripture” is a powerful framework for understanding the grand narrative of the Bible. Here’s an overview of the acts and scenes that unfold in the redemptive story:

Act 1: God Established His Kingdom (Creation)

  • Theme: God’s sovereign creation of the world, establishing order, beauty, and purpose.
  • Key Event: Creation of the heavens, earth, and humanity (Genesis 1–2). God sets up His kingdom on earth with humanity as stewards.

Act 2: Rebellion in the Kingdom (Fall)

  • Theme: The rebellion of humanity against God’s authority, leading to sin, corruption, and separation from God.
  • Key Event: Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden (Genesis 3), resulting in the fall of mankind and the curse upon creation.

Act 3: The King Chooses Israel (Redemption Initiated)

Scene 1: A People for the King

  • Theme: God chooses Israel to be His people, called to reflect His glory and be a blessing to the nations.
  • Key Event: God’s covenant with Abraham and the formation of Israel as His chosen people (Genesis 12, Exodus 19–20).

Scene 2: A Land for His People

  • Theme: God promises a specific land for His people, Israel, a place to dwell under His rule.
  • Key Event: The Israelites’ journey through the wilderness and their eventual entry into the Promised Land (Exodus to Joshua).

Act 4: The Coming of the King (Redemption Accomplished)

  • Theme: The fulfillment of God’s promises through the arrival of Jesus Christ, the King, who inaugurates God’s kingdom.
  • Key Event: The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He accomplishes redemption through His sacrifice (Gospels).

Act 5: Spreading the News of the King (The Mission of the Church)

Scene 1: From Jerusalem to Rome

  • Theme: The apostles’ mission to spread the gospel, beginning in Jerusalem and expanding to Rome.
  • Key Event: The Pentecost and the early church’s witness to Jesus’ resurrection (Acts).

Scene 2: And into ALL the world

  • Theme: The global mission of the church, taking the gospel message to the ends of the earth.
  • Key Event: Paul’s missionary journeys and the expansion of the Christian faith beyond Israel (Acts and Epistles).

Act 6: The Return of the King (Redemption Completed)

  • Theme: The final return of Christ to establish His eternal kingdom, bringing judgment, restoration, and fulfillment of God’s promises.
  • Key Event: The Second Coming of Christ, the defeat of evil, and the establishment of a new heaven and earth (Revelation 21–22).

This structure provides a clear and concise way to understand the unfolding story of God’s redemptive work through history, from creation to the final restoration of all things. The themes of God’s sovereignty, redemption, and the ultimate restoration in the Kingdom of God are central throughout.

  1. The Bible is a compelling unity on which we depend.
  2. Each of us has a place within that story.

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