Spring 2013/Pasadena

OT502

Allen

OT502: THE HEBREW PROPHETS. Leslie C. Allen.

DESCRIPTION: The Former Prophets and Latter Prophets in the canon of the Hebrew Bible, i.e., the historical books from Joshua to Kings (excluding Ruth) and the prophetic books from Isaiah to Malachi (excluding Daniel), will be studied via selected readings of the text and general comment. Historical, theological, literary, and canonical perspectives will be considered.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: 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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated (1) general literacy in this crucial part of the Old Testament, (2) understanding of its literary features and (3) of the diverse historical and cultural situations that it reflects, (4) ability in interpreting the Old Testament, and (5) some critical reflection on the diverse vantage points from which it may be read.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets for two-hour sessions twice a week for lectures and discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

NRSV or NIV (inclusive edition, 2011) Bible.

Childs, B. S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Fortress, 2001. ISBN: 978-0800698331, Pub.price $39.00 [688 pp.].

Newsome, J. D. The Hebrew Prophets. Westminster John Knox, 1986. ISBN: 978-0804201131,Pub.price $30.00 [240 pp.].

Rendtorff, R. The Old Testament: An Introduction. Fortress, 1991. ISBN: 978-0800625443, Pub.price $29.00 [324 pp.].

Also books to be read partially for the term paper listed in the syllabus and placed on reserve.

RECOMMENDED READING:

LaSor, W. S., Hubbard, D. A., Bush, F. W. Old Testament Survey. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996. ISBN: 978-0802837882, Pub.price $54.00 [877 pp.].

Matthews, V. H., and Moyer, J. C. The Old Testament: Text and Context. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012. ISBN: 978-0801048357, Pub.price $34.99 [322 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Attendance at classes and reading of required literature.

  2. A one-hour midterm examination (20%).

  3. A term paper of 3000-3750 words (40%).

  4. A two-hour final examination (40%).

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

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

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes. Exegetical comments and an essay will be required.


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.