Summer 2013/Pasadena

OT502

Taylor

OT502: THE HEBREW PROPHETS. Glen Allen Taylor.

DESCRIPTION: The message of the Hebrew prophets is critically relevant for church and society today. This course covers the former (Joshua–Kings) and latter prophets (Isaiah–Malachi). It covers their possible historical contexts, unique themes, critical issues, and contribution to the overarching canonical narrative flow.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Serious reflection on the prophets draws us into a deeper understanding of and communion with God. It also renews, empowers and equips us to bring blessing and change to the church and to our world. It helps us learn how to be authentically human. Students will learn how to integrate the principles, ethics and theology of the prophets into all of life: the home, church and society. They will also learn how their lives carry on the narrative begun in the First Testament.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated (1) ability to articulate the major themes unique to each book, (2) ability to discern the central themes found throughout the books, (3) competence in research, analytical and hermeneutical skills, (4) ability to articulate the critical historical issues regarding each book, (5) ability to discern the voice of God speaking to us through the text in our present situation.

COURSE FORMAT: This class is a five-week course, meeting for four-hour sessions, twice a week, for discussion and lecture. Students also spend one hour per week in online discussion with other students in their group. Classes also require specific reading of the biblical text and secondary literature, on average another eight hours per week.

REQUIRED READING:

TNIV or NRSV or CEB Bible.

Brueggemann, Walter. The Prophetic Imagination. 2nd ed. Fortress, 2001. ISBN: 978-0800632878, Pub. Price $19.00 [119 pp. assigned].

Satterthwaite, Philip E. and J. Gordon McConville. Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Historical Books. IVP, 2007. ISBN: 978-0830825424, Pub. Price $30.00 [289 pp. assigned].

Seitz, Christopher R. Prophecy and Hermeneutics: Toward a New Introduction to the Prophets. Baker, 2007. ISBN: 978-0801032585, Pub. Price $23.00 [253 pp. assigned].

Stulman, Louis and Hyun Chul Paul Kim. You Are My People: An Introduction to Prophetic Literature. Abingdon, 2010. ISBN: 978-0687465651, Pub. Price $25.00 [249 pp. assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Brueggemann, Walter. Texts that Linger, Words that Explode: Listening to Prophetic Voices. Fortress, 2000. ISBN: 978-0800632311, Pub. Price $17.00.

Dempsey, Carol. Hope Amid the Ruins: The Ethics of Israel’s Prophets. Chalice, 2000. ISBN: 978-0827214392, Pub. Price not available. ***OUT OF PRINT.

Gowen, Donald E. Theology of the Prophetic Books: The Death and Resurrection of Israel. WJK, 1998. ISBN: 978-0664256890, Pub. Price $30.00.

Heschel, Abraham J. The Prophets. Hendrickson, 1999. ISBN: 978-1598561814, Pub. Price $29.95.

McConville, J. Gordon and Ernest C. Lucas. Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Prophets. IVP, 2002. ISBN: 978-0830825448, Pub. Price $30.00.

Redditt, Paul L. Introduction to the Prophets. Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN: 978-0802828965, Pub. Price $28.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Midterm exam (20%)

  2. FINAL exam (20%)

  3. One 3,000 word paper (50%)

  4. Class attendance, online discussion, and homework assignments. (10%)

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament “b” (OTB).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.