Why Study the Old Testament at HST?

September 14, 2021

Dr. Jim Martin, Vice-President of Harding University and HST, sat down with Dr. Lance Hawley, Professor of Old Testament at HST, to discuss the value of studying the Old Testament at HST. Dr. Hawley shares his insight on studying the Old Testament for personal spiritual growth and for congregational ministry.

Key Thoughts:

  • If we want our churches to know the Bible, we need to be close readers of Scripture.
  • We need to know the story of God to know our place in it.
  • Study at HST is participating in a community of study. This is especially important for our online students who may feel alone in their ministry or church context.
  • Dr. Hawley shares a message from Isaiah 44:1-5.
  • Many themes from the Old Testament are assumed and foundational for the story of Christ.
  • When we read the Old Testament we learn the language of our faith.
  • We’re formed into the likeness of Christ in reading the Old and New Testaments.

Lance Hawley (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 2016) is Professor of Old Testament and biblical Hebrew. His research focuses on the book of Job and Hebrew poetry.

Before joining the HST faculty, Lance served as a church planter in Madison, WI for ten years. He has a passion for the spiritual formation of missional communities.

Dr. Jim Martin preached for 35 years, including 23 at one congregation in Waco, TX. He continues to preach in various churches in the Memphis area. He also serves as a mentor for many young preachers. He has served as VP of Harding University responsible for the HST campus since 2014.

Harding School of Theology (HST), a seminary in Memphis, TN, has been equipping ministers since 1958. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and offering degree programs at the master’s and doctoral levels, HST equips Christian leaders to higher standards of ministry and scholarship and challenges them to a deeper faith in God. Combining academic rigor and interpersonal connections, HST emphasizes student engagement in ministry as they study. HST is associated with Churches of Christ, is part of the Stone-Campbell Movement, and is part of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.

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