Close
Back to all courses

Wisdom Literature

Wisdom literature uses word pictures to describe every day life. Part of the greatness of these books (most of which are presented in poetry) derives from their complexity, with highly stylized structures and abundant usage of imagery and symbolism, which add multiple layers of meaning beyond just plain text.

$24
Take Course Now
Take course for credit
Close

A great way to earn seminary credit! Earn 2 graduate credits for successfully completing this course from either Trinity Evangelical Divinity School or Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

To enroll in the course for academic credit, simply click “Take Course Now” and select “Course [Academic Credit]”.

Take Course Now

Instructors

O’DONNELL

Douglas Sean O’Donnell

Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church

Doug is Senior Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Elgin, Illinois. He previously served as Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Practical Theology at Queensland Theological College in Brisbane, Australia. He is a graduate of Wheaton College, Wheaton Graduate School, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; and earned his PhD from the University of Aberdeen. Doug is the author of several books, including commentaries on the Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, the Gospel of Matthew, and John’s Epistles. With R. Kent Hughes, he wrote and edited The Pastor’s Book: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide to Pastoral Ministry.

JACKMAN

David Jackman

President, Proclamation Trust (Retired)

David Jackman is the retired President of the Proclamation Trust in London and is a renowned preacher and international speaker. He studied at Trinity College, Bristol and then began as assistant minister at Above Bar Church in Southampton in 1976. After 11 years as Senior Minister, David left Above Bar in 1991 to found the Cornhill Training Course in London, beginning his official affiliation with Dick Lucas and the Proclamation Trust. David is the author of numerous books including The Message of John’s Letters and Let’s Study 1 Corinthians.

HUGHES

Kent Hughes

Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church

R. Kent Hughes is senior pastor emeritus of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois. He holds the John Boyer Chair of Evangelism and Culture and is a recently retired professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He holds a DMin from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Kent is also a founder of the Charles Simeon Trust, and is the series editor for the Preaching the Word commentary series as well as the author or coauthor of many books.

COPELAND

K. Edward Copeland

Pastor, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church

K. Edward Copeland serves as pastor of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Rockford, Illinois. He earned a BA from the University of Illinois, a JD from the University of California, an MDiv from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California, as well as a DMin from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has taught for the National Baptist Convention of America, USA Inc. as well as district associations, conventions, and conferences throughout the nation and across denominational lines. He is author of Riding in the Second Chariot: A Guide for Associate Ministers, and a contributing author to Entrusted with the Gospel by Crossway. He also serves as a Council Member of the Gospel Coalition.

BULLMORE

Mike Bullmore

Senior Pastor, CrossWay Community Church

Mike serves as Senior Pastor of CrossWay Community Church in Bristol, Wisconsin. Mike earned a diploma in Bible and Theology at Moody Bible Institute and a BA in Biblical Studies from Wheaton College. He then earned an MDiv and ThM from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, followed by a PhD in Rhetorical History and Criticism from Northwestern University. Prior to leading the launch of CrossWay Community Church in 1998, Mike served for 15 years as an Associate Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, as well as chairman of the Practical Theology Department at TEDS. He also serves on the council of The Gospel Coalition.

Overview

Wisdom literature uses word pictures to describe every day life. Part of the greatness of these books (most of which ...More
Wisdom literature uses word pictures to describe every day life. Part of the greatness of these books (most of which are presented in poetry) derives from their complexity, with highly stylized structures and abundant usage of imagery and symbolism, which add multiple layers of meaning beyond just plain text.
Download Syllabus
Lesson 1

How to Handle Old Testament Poetry

David JackmanIn this opening lesson, David Jackman prepares us to better understand Wisdom Literature by helping us learn to handle Old Testament Poetry.
Lesson 2

How Wisdom Literature Works

David JackmanIn this bonus lesson, David Jackman explores how Old Testament wisdom literature works, and particularly considers the tool of context. 
Lesson 3

Preaching Christ from Wisdom Literature

Douglas Sean O'DonnellIn this lesson, Doug O'Donnell shares some helpful strategies for how to legitimately preach Christ from Wisdom Literature.
Lesson 4

How to Preach Song of Songs

Douglas Sean O'DonnellIn this instruction, Doug O'Donnell serves as our guide to understanding the oft-neglected and notoriously challenging book, the Song of Solomon.  
Lesson 5

Exposition: Job 42

Douglas Sean O'DonnellIn this lesson, Doug O'Donnell preaches from Job 42.
Lesson 6

Exposition: Psalm 90

Mike BullmoreIn this exposition, Mike Bullmore preaches Psalm 90.
Lesson 7

Exposition: Ecclesiastes 12

K. Edward CopelandIn this final lesson on Wisdom Literature, K. Edward Copeland preaches Ecclesiastes 12. 
Bonus Feature

Women's Exposition: Psalm 40

Carrie SandomIn this lesson Carrie Sandom gives an exposition of Psalm 40.
Bonus Feature

Exposition: Psalm 32

R. Kent HughesIn this exposition, Kent Hughes demonstrates how to preach a psalm from Psalm 32.
Downloads

Course Resources

This page provides additional links to all the resources and downloads you may need throughout the course.