Further Study

Review Questions

These questions are designed to help you review important material covered in the lecture.

1. Explain some significant presuppositions that grew out of the Enlightenment and influenced modern critical outlooks on the Pentateuch.
2. List the modern critical approaches to the Pentateuch’s authorship and describe the main evidences critical scholars have used to support their views.
3. What are five major interpretive strategies that critical scholars have followed in their approach to the Pentateuch? Describe the origin, focus and conclusions of each strategy.
4. Summarize some evangelical presuppositions that contrast with critical approaches to the Pentateuch.
5. How have evangelicals confirmed the longstanding Jewish and Christian belief that the Pentateuch came from Moses?
6. What are three main interpretative strategies evangelicals have followed in regard to the Pentateuch? Explore the benefits and drawbacks of each strategy.

Application Questions

Application questions are intended for group discussions.

1. What are some potential dangers of using modern critical approaches to study Scripture?
2. Why is it important for us to be familiar with the approaches of modern critical scholars?
3. Why must we believe in supernatural events to properly interpret and apply the teachings of the Pentateuch in our lives?
4. What is the value of affirming that God’s revelation throughout Scripture is consistently monotheistic? How does this understanding affect your ministry today?
5. There are a variety of names for God found in the Pentateuch. How can this variety allow us to emphasize various aspects of God’s character in our preaching and teaching?
6. God displayed himself through supernatural means and miraculous acts in the Pentateuch. What are some ways that God’s supernatural activity in the past might give us confidence about God’s supernatural promises for our future?
7. How important is it to believe that Moses is essentially the author of the Pentateuch? Explain your answer.
8. The purpose of the Pentateuch was to prepare Israel for faithful service to God in the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. How can you apply this to your present life and ministry?
9. What are some themes in the Pentateuch that reflect concepts that are important for us to apply today? Give an example of how you might apply one of these themes to your present work and teaching.
10. What is the most significant thing you learned in this lesson?