The Drama of Redemption

THE DRAMA OF REDEMPTION
Tracing the program of God in the progress of history

Dr. Paul Manuel—2012

Paul Manuel writes about the genesis of this study:

When Linda and I where at CBC, the most popular course was The Progress of Redemption, which traced God's plan through scripture. The reason I found it helpful was that it filled in a lot of gaps in my understanding of the Bible and of what He is doing throughout history. Years later, while at the University of Wisconsin, Steve Lancaster and I created a similar course called, The Drama of Redemption, that we expanded and taught in our respective congregations and in a Trinity extension. We modeled the course on a Greek play (with acts and scenes). Several years after that, I developed it a bit further to teach in the German Seventh Day Baptist church here (adding several philatelic illustrations from Linda's and my Bible stamp collection).

Because of length, only the "Program Guide" is provided below. Each link will take you to a pdf of that section of the study.

Program Guide    Program Guide and Bibliography

Preface
	Preview (coming attractions)
	Prologue
	God's goal God's glory
Act I:	Introduction—God Promises the Kingdom.
	Scene 1: Primeval Conflict
	The creation The fall The flood The tower
	Scene 2: Patriarchal Expectation
	Abraham Isaac Jacob
Act II:	Rising action—God Models the Kingdom.
	Scene 1: Wilderness Experience
	The exodus The covenant The wandering The renewal
	Scene 2: Canaan Conquest
	The invasion The settlement
	Scene 3: Israelite Consolidation
	Deborah Gideon Samuel
	Scene 4: United Monarchy
	Saul David Solomon
	Excursus: David's Devotion
	David's fitness for office David's failure in office

Act III:	Crisis—God Destroys the Kingdom.
	Scene 1: Divided Monarchy
	The sedition of the north The secession by the north     The syncretism in the north     The invasion from the south
	Scene 2: Assyrian Exile
	Jehu Jehoiadah
	Appendix: Jewish Rulers after Solomon
	Scene 3: Babylonian Exile
	Hezekiah Josiah
	Appendix: Jewish Rulers after Solomon (continued)
Act IV:	Falling action—God Revives the Kingdom(?).
	Scene 1: First Return
	Zerubbabel Ezra Nehemiah
	Scene 2: Hasmonean Dynasty
	Hyrcanus (I) Aristobulus (I) Alexander (Janneus)
	Notes on the Hasmonean Dynasty
	Scene 3: Herodian Rule
	Antipater Herod
	Scene 4: Roman Domination
	The first revolt The second revolt
Act V:	Catastrophe—God Revives the Kingdom(?).
	Scene 1: Second Return
	The emergence of Zionism The establishment of statehood
	Scene 2: Great Tribulation
	The ban (bad) The blasphemy (worse) The battle
Act VI:	Resolution—God Establishes the Kingdom.
	Scene 1: Messianic Age
	People Land Autonomy King
	Scene 2: New Creation
	The new heaven and new earth The new Jerusalem
	Summary of The Drama of Redemption