Spring 2004/Pasadena
OT502
Brenneman
OT502: THE HEBREW PROPHETS. James E. Brenneman.
DESCRIPTION:
- The course studies the contents of the Former Prophets (Joshua to
Kings) and the Latter Prophets (Isaiah to Malachi), their canonical placement,
their historical and literary contexts, and the nature of prophecy as a
rhetorical and persuasive phenomenon.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Students taking this course will gain insight into:
- how the canonical placement of the books of the prophets affects their
overall interpretation;
- the personalities, life-settings, and cultural backgrounds of the prophets
and their various audiences;
- the use of literary forms as persuasive vehicles for preaching,
prophesying, and ethical guidance;
- the constructive nature of prophetic history as modeled by Joshua-Kings;
- issues of interpretation and discernment of true and false prophecy
claims;
- the relevance of prophecy for addressing the theo-politics of Church and
Society.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course meets for two hours twice a week for lectures,
discussion, and student reports.
REQUIRED READING:
- The entire prophetic corpus in a biblical version of the student's
choice.
- Ceresko, Anthony R. Introduction to the Old Testament: A Liberation
Perspective. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1992.
- Gowan, Donald E. Theology of the Prophetic Books: The Death &
Resurrection of Israel. Louisville/London: Westminster John Knox Press,
1998.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Dempsey, Carol J. Hope Amid the Ruins: The Ethics of Israel's
Prophets. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2000.
- Stuart, Douglas. Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and
Pastors. 3rd ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.
- A bibliography will be provided in the course syllabus from which
recommendations will be made, especially for book reviews assigned.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Class attendance/participation (10%).
- All required readings prior to class for which they are assigned (reading
log required) (20%).
- A written book review of an approved book (20%).
- A fifteen-page exegetical paper (25%).
- Take-home final exam (25%).
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M. Div. core requirement in Old Testament "b" (OTB).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Yes. Take-home.