DESCRIPTION:

The Former Prophets and Latter Prophets in the Old Testament canon, i.e. the historical books from Joshua to Kings and the prophetic books from Isaiah to Malachi, will be studied via selected readings from the New Revised Standard Version text of the Bible. Historical, theological, literary and canonical perspectives will be considered.

While the preacher brings God's Word to the people, the seminary teacher has the prior task of bringing ministerial students to the Bible, in which the revelation of the being and will of God is anchored in ancient history, literature and culture. From this study in the Old Testament will emerge its recurring agenda of human need or perplexity and divine response, and also issues of spirituality as God's people or individual servants wrestled with problems of living and either found or resisted divine grace.

The class will meet for two hours twice a week for lectures and discussion.

Childs, B. S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1979.

Newsome, J. D. The Hebrew Prophets. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1986.

Rast, W. E. Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings. Proclamation Commentaries. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1978. (Out of Print.)

Soggin, J. A. Introduction to the Old Testament. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1989.

LaSor, W. S., Hubbard, D. A., Bush, F. W. Old Testament Survey. Second edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

Rendtorff, R. The Old Testament: An Introduction. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986. (Out of Print.)

Reading of the set texts before class is recommended. An exegetical paper will be required.

None, but it is recommended that students take OT501 before taking OT502.

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

Yes. Exegetical comments and an essay will be required.