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 40-66 in their original historical and cultural
contexts. This entails some study of the Babylonian Exile and postexilic 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 that the course will have a strong
emphasis on Hebrew reading.
RELEVANCE FOR 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 40-66,
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: