Fall 2014/Pasadena

OT502

Allen

OT502: THE HEBREW PROPHETS (4 Units: 160 Hours). 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.

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: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING: 986 pp. required.

NRSV or NIV (inclusive edition, 2011) Bible.

Brueggemann, W. The Prophetic Imagination. 2nd ed. Fortress, 2001. ISBN: 978-0800632877, Pub. Price $19.00 [146 pp.].

Brueggemann, W. Hopeful Imagination: Prophetic Voices in Exile. Fortress, 1986. ISBN: 978-0800619251, Pub. Price $23.00 [146 pp.].

Childs, B. S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Fortress, 2001. ISBN: 978-0800698331, Pub. Price $39.00 [266 pp. assigned].

Fretheim, T. E., Deuteronomic History. Abingdon, 1983. ISBN: 979-80687104970, Pub. Price $21.99 [148 pp. assigned].

Gafney, W. C. Daughters of Miriam: Women Prophets in Ancient Israel. Fortress, 2008. ISBN: 978-0800662585, Pub. Price $23.00 [69 pp. assigned].

Newsome, J. D. The Hebrew Prophets. Westminster John Knox, 1986. ISBN: 978-0804201131,Pub. Price $30.00 [190 pp. assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

LaSor, W. S., Hubbard, D. A., Bush, F. W. Old Testament Survey. 2nd ed. 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. Baker Academic, 2012. ISBN: 978-0801048357, Pub. Price $35.00 [336 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENT: 

1. Attendance at classes and reading of required literature.

2. Attendance at classes [40 hours].

3. 986 pp. of required reading [66 hours].

4. Four reading reports of 2,000 words (15% each, 60% total). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4] [44 hours].

5. A two-hour final examination (40%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #4-5] [10 hours].

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

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets 144 MDiv core requirement in Old Testament “B” (OTB).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes, based on the books of Brueggemann and Gafney.