DESCRIPTION: This course is an eclectic approach to a text that has taken on outsized significance in the Old Testament canon. In part, the course takes a "contextual" approach to Isaiah--that is, it attempts to understand proclamations of chapters 1-39 in their original historical and cultural contexts. The course introduces students to ancient prophecy, and includes a particular focus on the late eighth century BCE in Judah. The course also looks at Isaiah through diverse theological lenses, exploring the ways in which the book of Isaiah has spoken and continues to speak to readers. Finally, the course uses literary methods to study one of the greatest poets of the ancient world. For all these purposes, the original language of the text is of primary importance, so the course will have a strong emphasis on Hebrew reading.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course will help students gain skill in interpreting Scripture and perceive how Isaiah relates to the church and the world--skills that inform preaching and ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course successfully will have demonstrated a grasp of the historical and cultural worlds of Isaiah 1-39, skill in reading Hebrew and in interpreting particular texts, especially as works of literature. They will have enunciated richer and more nuanced perspectives on the theological issues of the exilic and postexilic periods, and also the question of Christian and Christological appropriation of prophetic texts. They will also have enunciated their understanding of ways in which Isaiah relates to the faith and life of their communities.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Content will include lecture, plenary discussion, and study of individual passages in Hebrew. Classes require substantial preparation on the part of students, at least two hours of preparation for each class hour, including study of the biblical text and other specified reading.

REQUIRED READING:

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. ISBN: 978-3438052193 ($69.99).

NRSV Bible.

Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Isaiah 1-39. New York: Doubleday, 2000. ISBN: 978-0300139617 ($40.00).

Nissinen, Martti. Prophets and Prophecy in the Ancient Near East. Atlanta: SBL, 2003. ISBN: 978-1589830271 ($29.95).

Petersen, David L. The Prophetic Literature: An Introduction. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2002. ISBN: 978-0664254537 ($30.00).

Blenkinsopp, Joseph. A History of Prophecy in Israel. Rev. ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1996. ISBN: 0664256392 ($30).

Goldingay, John. Isaiah. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2001. ISBN: 1565632230 ($25).

Hayes, John H. and Stuart A. Irvine. Isaiah the Eighth-Century Prophet: His Times and Preaching. Nashville: Abingdon, 1987. ISBN: 0687197058 ($20).

Sweeney, Marvin A. Isaiah 1-39. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996. ISBN: 0802841007 ($55).

Wildberger, H. Isaiah 1-39. 3 vols. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991, 1997, 2002. ISBN: 0800695089 ($197).

See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html and in the Academic Advising office.

1. Class participation (30%).

2. Five one-page response papers (20%).

3. Quiz on historical backgrounds (10%).

4. 10-page study of a chosen text in Hebrew (40%).

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