RST | HE01 — Introduction, Overview, Canon, and Presuppositions
Redemption School of Theology: Hermeneutics & Exegesis · Fall 2026
Class 1 · September 6, 2026 · Session A · Kevin R. Amundson
Opening night of Redemption School of Theology. After welcome and introductions, the class moves from Numbers 15 (tassels as a reminder of the commandments) to the Shema and Romans 13 on loving God and neighbor, then warns against Marcion’s rejection of the Old Testament. God speaks in the incarnate Son and now through the completed canon. 1 Samuel 22 case study—those who gathered to David in distress, debt, and bitterness of soul—leads into the moral task of interpretation and judging our presuppositions by Scripture.
Outline
Welcome, first-time faces, round-robin introductions
Numbers 15 — tassels / fringes and remembering the commandments
What it means to love the Lord with heart, soul, and mind; love fulfills the law
Marcionism: discarding the OT as if it were another God
How God speaks: the Son, then the completed canon
1 Samuel 22:2 — who gathered to David
Q&A
Key texts: Numbers 15:37–41 · Deuteronomy 6:4–5 / Matthew 22:37 · Romans 13:8–10 Hebrews 1:1–2 · 1 Samuel 22:1–2
Chapters
00:00 Welcome and introductions
10:30 Numbers 15 — tassels and the commandments
20:30 Love the Lord your God
30:30 Marcion and the unity of Scripture
40:30 God speaks by his Son and by the canon
50:30 1 Samuel 22 — who gathered to David
60:30 Presuppositions and the duty to interpret
Resources
Course page: https://www.redemptionrochester.com/redemption-school-of-theology
Syllabus: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19HuTO5gVQUG0veD2j6LwwgcWLbWb_D7CIKqD14LOmF8/edit
Class page: https://www.redemptionrochester.com/2026-hermeneutics-exegesis
Audio archive: https://www.redemptionrochester.com/2026-hermeneutics-exegesis-audio