Ancient and Old Testament

Coram Deo Academy History 8 students will study Ancient and Old Testament History, from creation to approximately 500 A.D. The course progresses both as a historical study of early World history and the roots of Western history, and as a study in God’s providential working through these early times to bring about His purposes and redeem a chosen people for Himself. Both Biblical and history texts are employed. Biblical texts include selections from Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deutronomy, Joshua, Judges, I and II Samuel, I Kings, Daniel, Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah. History texts include Jackson Spielvogel’s Western Civilization, Chapters 1 and 2 and a portion of Chapter 3, and the great ancient Greek historian Herodotus’s The Histories.

Students will learn the key dates of this period; the major individuals, nations, and events that shaped it; and the social, geographic, economic, political, and philosophical underpinnings of the era. The earliest world history, including creation, will be studied, as well as the early civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia, Old Israel, Assyria, Neo-Babylon, Persia, and the early Greeks. Studies of Old Israel will include its founding families, the Patriarchs, the Judges, the Kings, and the Prophets.

World-view perspectives will be addressed as students develop their ability to discern and discuss reality as the peoples of this time period saw it, including their perception of the nature of the external world, human nature, the good that occurred in the world around them, and their outlook regarding the meaning of history. Students will also develop the ability to apply the knowledge and lessons of Ancient and Old Testament history to the challenges and issues of their own lives and world.