DESCRIPTION:

The course studies the contents of the Former Prophets (Joshua to Kings) and the Latter Prophets (Isaiah to Malachi), their canonical placement, their historical and literary contexts, and the nature of prophecy as a rhetorical and persuasive phenomenon.

Students taking this course will gain insight into:

• how the canonical placement of the books of the prophets affects their overall interpretation;

• the personalities, life-settings, and cultural backgrounds of the prophets and their various audiences;

• the use of literary forms as persuasive vehicles for preaching, prophesying, and ethical guidance;

• the constructive nature of prophetic history as modeled by Joshua-Kings;

• issues of interpretation and discernment of true and false prophecy claims;

• the relevance of prophecy for addressing the theo-politics of Church and Society.

The course meets for two hours twice a week for lectures, discussion, and student reports.

The entire prophetic corpus in a biblical version of the student's choice.

Ceresko, Anthony R. Introduction to the Old Testament: A Liberation Perspective. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1992.

Gowan, Donald E. Theology of the Prophetic Books: The Death & Resurrection of Israel. Louisville/London: Westminster John Knox Press, 1998.

Dempsey, Carol J. Hope Amid the Ruins: The Ethics of Israel's Prophets. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2000.

Stuart, Douglas. Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors. 3rd ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.

A bibliography will be provided in the course syllabus from which recommendations will be made, especially for book reviews assigned.

1. Class attendance/participation (10%).

2. All required readings prior to class for which they are assigned (reading log required) (20%).

3. A written book review of an approved book (20%).

4. A fifteen-page exegetical paper (25%).

5. Take-home final exam (25%).

None.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Old Testament "b" (OTB).

Yes. Take-home.