Fall 2003/Pasadena
OT502
Goldingay
OT502: THE HEBREW PROPHETS. John Goldingay.
DESCRIPTION:
- The course studies the contents of the Former Prophets (Joshua to
Kings) and the Latter Prophets (Isaiah to Malachi), their possible historical
backgrounds, different approaches to their interpretation, and their
significance for us today.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- By the end of the course students should have
- gained familiarity with the narrative in Joshua to Kings with its insight
on human life, leadership, and the people of God;
- come to appreciate the way the prophets address the people of their day
concerning their past, their present, and their future;
- reflected on issues concerning the historical nature of Joshua-Kings and
the authorship of the prophetic books; and
- considered ways in which the Prophets confront the church today and the
difficulties they raise for it.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Most classes
require specific reading of the biblical text and other preparation, on average
a further four hours per week. The classroom time then combines lectures, work
in groups of four or five, and plenary discussion. The course is thus not
primarily lecture-based; it emphasizes collaborative learning, and students
need to accept a commitment to working together with other students.
REQUIRED READING:
- Students are not required to possess any books except an NRSV and a
copy of the Course Reader.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Brenner, A., ed. A Feminist Companion to Judges, and A
Feminist Companion to Samuel and Kings, and A Feminist Companion to the
Latter Prophets. Sheffield Academic Press, 1993, 1994, and 1995.
- Brueggemann, W. Hopeful Imagination. Fortress, 1986.
- __________. Prophetic Imagination. Fortress, 1978.
- Coggins, Richard, et al., ed. Israel's Prophetic Tradition.
Cambridge University Press, 1982.
- Eaton, J. H. Mysterious Messengers. Eerdmans, 1998.
- Gordon, Robert P., ed. "The Place Is Too Small for Us": The Israelite
Prophets in Recent Scholarship. Eisenbrauns, 1995.
- Knoppers, Gary N. and Gordon McConville, eds. Reconsidering Israel and
Judah: Recent Studies in the Deuteronomistic History. Eisenbrauns, 2000.
- Von Rad, Gerhard. The Message of the Prophets. SCM, 1968.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Preparation for classes, with submission of notes each class (50% of final
grade).
- Two 7-10 page papers (50% of final grade).
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M. Div. core requirement in Old Testament "b" (OTB).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Only for students who miss more than one class. The mark is then
combined with that for the files of preparation notes.