Lay Institute at Dallas Theological Seminary

2014, Tuesday, September 9-October 28, 6:45-7:45pm

0227 Exposition of Daniel

Linda Liu
432-212-3928
lindaly847@gmail.com

Syllabus
I.

Course Description
When people speak about Daniel, they think of the faithful prophet who survived the
lions' den with Gods help or who was the friend of Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego. Daniel 7-11, however, is a little scarier to navigate for the typical Bible
student. This course helps the student recognize the main points of each chapter as
well as to be able to articulate the key themes to the book. You will learn about Gods
sovereignty, the role of angels, and the eschatological goals of history and mankind.
In addition, we will explore some of the cults that have adopted false perceptions of
the topic of apocalypse. Finally, the student will relate these important themes to their
own lives.

II.

III.

Course Objectives
A.

The students will know the overall structure of the book of Daniel and apocalyptic
literature and recognize the main points of each chapter by the end of the
term.

B.

The students will understand Gods sovereignty, the role of angels, eschatological
goals of history and anthropology by exploring the theological insights in each
chapter.

C.

The students will apply the major theology to their own life circumstances.

Recommended Reading
Dale Ralph Davis, The Message of Daniel (The Bible Speaks Today; Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity, 2013).
Daniel in NIV, NASB, NET, ESV, NKJV, NLT (according to ones preference)

IV.

Suggested Bibliography
Baldwin, Joyce G. Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament
Commentaries, ed. D. J. Wiseman. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978.
Campbell, Donald K. Daniel: Decoder of Dreams. Wheaton IL: SP Publications, 1977.
Campbell, Donald K. Daniel: Gods Man in a Secular Society. Grand Rapids: Discovery
House, 1988.
Collins, John J. Daniel with an Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature in The forms of the
Old Testament Literature. vol. 20. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 1984.
Collins, John J. Daniel: A Commentary on the Book of Daniel in Hermeneia. Edited by
Frank Moore Cross. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1993.
Collins, John J. The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic
Literature. 2nd ed. The Biblical Resource Series. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William
B. Eerdmans, 1998.
Goldingay, John E. Daniel in Word Biblical Commentary. Edited by David A. Hubbard
and Glenn W. Barker, vol. 30. Dallas: Word Book Publisher, 1989.
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Lay Institute at DTS

2014, Tuesday, September 9-October 28, 6:45-7:45pm
0227 Exposition of Daniel

Leupold, H. C. Exposition of Daniel. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1969.

Longman, Tremper, III. Daniel in NIV Application Commentary. Edited by Terry Muck.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999.
Miller, Stephen R. Daniel in New American Commentary. Edited by E. Ray Clendenen
Vol. 18. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994.
Murphy, Frederick James. Apocalypticism in the Bible and Its World: A Comprehensive
Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012.
Walvoord, John F. Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation. Chicago: Moody, 1971.
V.

Course Supplemental Information

The Lay Institute encourages all students to participate in each course to the degree they
are able. Instructors will avoid homework and grades so students can focus on their
personal enrichment.
A.

Class Participation
The nature of all Lay Institute courses is discussion and participation. All students
should participate and assert themselves into the flow of discussion.

B.

Participation Award
Students attending and participating in 80% of the course sessions will earn a Lay
Institute Participation Award for that course.

C.

Faith Enrichment Certificate

The Lay Institute will award the Faith Enrichment Certificate to students who
have earned twelve (12) Participation Awards, six in the Biblical Studies category
and six in the Theological Studies category.

D.

DTS Alcohol and Tobacco Policy

DTS prohibits alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, and all tobacco products from
the campus property. Campus Police will confiscate banned substances and will
escort the violating student from the property.

E.

Discrimination Policy
DTS does not discriminate in the operation of any of its programs and activities
because of the students disability. To avoid discrimination, the student is
responsible for informing the Coordinator of Services for Students with
Disabilities and the course instructor of any disabling condition that will require
modifications.

Lay Institute at DTS

2014, Tuesday, September 9-October 28, 6:45-7:45pm
0227 Exposition of Daniel

VI.

Course Schedule
Session
1

Date
9/9

Topic
Introduction & Orientation
Understanding Gods
Attributes

9/16
Reading: Daniel 1-31
Journaling2
Dependence vs.
Independence on God

9/23
Reading: Daniel 4-6
Journaling
Gods Sovereignty in
Apocalyptic Literature

Reading: Daniel 10:1-11:1

Journaling
God as the HistoryController & limitation of
Human Force

The Message of Daniel

Chapter 13 (147-160)
Chapter 14 (161-169)

10/7
Reading: Daniel 8
Journaling
Gods Promise-Based Prayer
10/14

10/21

10/28

The Message of Daniel

Introduction (13-26);
Chapter 1 (27-37);
Chapter 2 (38-49);
Chapter 3 (50-58)
The Message of Daniel
Chapter 4 (59-69);
Chapter 5 (70-81);
Chapter 6 (82-92)

Reading: Daniel 9
Journaling
Angelic Ministry, Spiritual
Warfare & Prayer

9/30

Readings: Syllabus

The Message of Daniel

Chapter 7 (93-104)
Article: Introduction to
Apocalyptic Literature
(Handout)
The Message of Daniel
Chapter 8 (105-113)
Article: Apocalyptic
Literature by John J. Collins
(Handout)
The Message of Daniel
Chapter 9 (114-121);
Chapter 10 (122-126);
Chapter 11 (127-138)
The Message of Daniel
Chapter 12 (139-146)

Reading: Daniel 7
Journaling
Being Gods People in a
Hostile World
5

Optional Reading

Reading: Daniel 11:2-12:13

Journaling

Readings of this course are due by the class date. Reading several of the Bible versions will help you better
understand Daniel.
2

journal.

Journaling is an important part of this course. Each class the students will be given a topic on which to