DESCRIPTION: The course involves reading the whole of Isaiah section by section, and gaining a grasp of the contents and nature of each of these sections (chs. 1-12; 13-23; 24-27; 28-33; 34-39; 40-55; 56-66). It also studies in detail a chapter or two from each section with the aid of commentaries and offers students practice in analyzing passages with a view to preaching on them and seeking to discern how they speak to the church today. It considers major themes and motifs that run through the book, the nature of the unity of the book as a whole, and its significance for Christian faith and life.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course successfully will have gained a grasp of the book called Isaiah as a whole, developed their skill in analyzing and exegeting particular texts, and considered how Isaiah relates to Christian faith and life.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The course will help people gain skill in interpreting Scripture and seeing how Isaiah relates to the church and the world.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions. One class is given to section-by-section and thematic study, the other to study of individual passages. Each class combines lecture and plenary discussion with work in groups of four or five. Classes require substantial preparation on the part of students, on average one hour of preparation for each class hour, including study of the biblical text and other specified reading. The course emphasizes collaborative learning, and students need to be willing to be committed to working together with other students.

REQUIRED READING: Students do not need to possess any books except the following:

NRSV Bible and one other translation.

Course reader.

Baltzer, K. Deutero-Isaiah: A Commentary on Isaiah 40-55. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001.

Blenkinsopp, J. Isaiah. 3 vols. New York: Doubleday, 2000, 2002, 2003.

Brueggemann, W. Isaiah. 2 vols. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1998.

Goldingay, J. Isaiah. Peabody, MA: Hendricksen, 2001.

Motyer, J. A. The Prophecy of Isaiah. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Oswalt, J. Isaiah. 2 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986 and 1997.

Sawyer, J. Isaiah. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1986.

Westermann, C. Isaiah 40-66. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1969.

Wildberger, H. Isaiah 1-39. 3 vols. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991, 1997, 2002.

1. Preparation for each class (40%).

2. 10-page study of a chosen text (30%).

3. 10-page reflection on studying the book as a whole (30%).

Students who miss the first class forfeit 5% of their grade.

PLEASE NOTE: OT565 and OT506 are different variants of the same course, respectively based on the English text and the Hebrew text, meeting together one day and separately the other days. Students may register for only one of the two courses.