BOT 663
Ezekiel
Fall Semester, 2009
Tuesday (3:20-6:00 P.M.)
Cincinnati Bible Seminary
3 Credit Hours
Instructor: Dr. Douglas Redford
CCU Phone: 244-8178
Home Phone: 513-648-0793
E-mail:
Office: Presidents’ Hall (second floor)
CCU Mission Statement:
The mission of Cincinnati Christian University is to teach men and women to live by biblical principles and to equip and empower them with character, skills, insight, and vision to lead the church and to impact society for Christ.
1. DESCRIPTION (from catalog): A study of the historical background and critical problems relating to this book, followed by exegetical analysis. Effort is given to understanding Ezekiel’s ministry of hope and restoration to an exiled people.
2. GOALS
This course will seek to help the student do the following:
a. Understand and appreciate the times during which Ezekiel carried out his prophetic ministry (historical background).
b. Possess a deeper respect for the prophetic ministry itself and the unique circumstances in which those who answered this call were often placed.
c. Develop a familiarity with the basic contents and the flow of thought in the book of Ezekiel—and how especially “controversial” passages (such as chapters 38 and 39) fit into that flow.
d. Understand how Ezekiel speaks to the church and to society today—and not just in an eschatological sense.
3. TEXTBOOKS
Required:
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Message of Ezekiel (from The Bible Speaks Today series). InterVarsity Press, 2001. (This book is not really a commentary in the exegetical sense; it is an exposition of the text of Ezekiel that includes contemporary challenges and applications.) Please bring your Bible and Wright’s text to each class session.
*Notes for this course will be made available through Moodle. The student should access these and bring them to each class session.
Recommended:
Block, Daniel I. The Book of Ezekiel. (2 volumes, part of the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series). Eerdmans, 1997, 1998. (This is a highly detailed—and conservative—exegetical commentary that, though rather expensive, will probably be the standard in Ezekiel studies for some time.)
Fredenburg, Brandon L. The College Press NIV Commentary: Ezekiel. Joplin: College Press, 2002.
(Both Block’s and Fredenburg’s commentaries are on three-day reserve in the CCU library.)
4. LESSON PLANS AND PROCEDURES
Attendance and Attitude. In a "block class" such as this one, it is imperative that each class member be committed to both regular attendance and to good study habits outside of class. Also, it is obvious that, since this is a three-hour class that meets one day per week, any missed sessions take on additional significance. Anyone who misses a total of three class sessions will have to be dropped from the course. (The College attendance policy states: “A student who misses more than 2 sessions of an evening or ‘block class’ would fail the class due to absences. It does not matter how many hours the class is for. Only 2 absences are allowed. The third absence will result in the grade of FA.”)
In addition, the policy states, “Penalties for tardiness or leaving early will be determined by the individual faculty member.” In this class, 2 instances of either being tardy or leaving early will equal one absence. (If you have a valid reason for being tardy or leaving early, please let me know.)
Please feel free to come by my office any time (hours available are posted on my office door) or to call or email me about any questions or concerns.
Weekly Assignments. The student should read the portions of material from both the Bible and Wright that examine the passage to be covered during a given week of class. PLEASE NOTE: It will be especially helpful if you can read the introductory material in Wright before the first class session on Tuesday, August 25.
Other Reading/Writing Assignments:
1) Read the entry on Ezekiel in The Anchor Bible Dictionary (Vol. 2, pp. 711-722), written by Lawrence Boadt. (This is on the reference shelf in the library and cannot be checked out.) Write approximately a five-page analysis of his comments on the book, comparing and contrasting his perspectives on the book with those of Wright in the introductory section of his commentary (pp. 17-42). What does each man see as important or noteworthy in the book of Ezekiel? How does each man view the prophet himself? What issues does each raise that the other does not? Address these and other issues in your analysis. This is due on Tuesday, September 15.
2) Read “Ezekiel, Bridge Between the Testaments,” by C. H. Bullock in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 25 (1982), pp. 23-31. (This is available in the CCU library.) Prepare a 3-4 page summary of the contents and include your comments and interaction with the material. Suggested format: use two to three pages for your summation and one to two pages for feedback. This is due on Tuesday, September 29.
3) Read three sermons from the book All Things Weird and Wonderful by Stuart Briscoe (Victor Books, 1977). For each sermon, submit a 1-page summary of the sermon and how Briscoe suggests we apply that portion of Ezekiel covered in the sermon to our lives today. At the end of your summaries, include a 1-2 page critique of Briscoe’s style. Deal with such questions as: Does he take liberties with the text in any way? Is his exposition sound? Are his applications practical? Some of his comments or applications could appear out-of-date given the time when the book was written, but determine if the material would still be of value to Christians at present. (The book is on three-day reserve in the library.)
After you have completed the assignment based on Briscoe’s sermons, write your own sermon or lesson outline based on a particular pericope in the book of Ezekiel. I would suggest one of the pericopes given in Block’s outline of the book (Briscoe’s sermons cover rather broad sections of Ezekiel). Just make sure the passage you select provides sufficient material for approximately a 30-minute sermon or lesson. Prepare a sentence outline of your passage, around two pages in length. Single-space the sentences themselves; you can double-space between points and subpoints. Include any illustrations or activities you would use in presenting your material. Provide documentation where necessary. This assignment is due on Tuesday, October 20.
4) Major Project. Each student is required to submit a 15-page paper (approximate length), in which he or she will conduct an examination of a particular passage, theme, or problem in the book of Ezekiel. Here are some suggestions:
1) The interpretation of chapters 38 and 39 (the “Gog and Magog” conflict)
2) The interpretation of chapters 40-48 (Ezekiel’s temple vision)
3) The significance of the details of the actions commanded by God to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 4:1-8
4) The messianic message of the book of Ezekiel
5) The use of the book of Ezekiel in the book of Revelation
6) An examination of the details of Ezekiel’s call as found in chapters 2 and 3
7) The interpretation of Ezekiel’s description of unfaithful Jerusalem in chapter 16
You may choose to write on another topic if you wish, but please get your professor’s approval first. A mini-manual dealing with style and form is available on the school library’s website (I think) or may be purchased from the bookstore. Footnotes, endnotes, or content notes are acceptable. Provide appropriate subheadings/chapter divisions. Use at least ten sources in your bibliography (not counting the Bible); do not count the bibliography page(s) as part of the 15 pages. This assignment is due on Tuesday, December 1.
5) Write a 3-4 page paper on the topic, “The Relevance of the Book of Ezekiel to the Contemporary Church and Christian.” Some of Ezekiel’s messages and symbolic actions seem far removed from our twenty-first century world. In this paper, demonstrate that Ezekiel is relevant to our time. Look for the central thrust of Ezekiel’s messages and actions and make applications to today’s Christian and today’s church, primarily in an American context. Use contemporary illustrations from the news, the entertainment world, the sports world, etc. to help make your points. Any quotations must be documented. This is due on Tuesday, December 8.
Examinations. There will be a midterm examination on Tuesday, October 6. The final examination will be given on Tuesday, December 15. The final will not be cumulative. Study guides will be provided for each exam.
5. GRADING
Midterm examination 15%
“Relevance” paper 15%
Other writing assignments 25%
Major project 25%
Final exam 20%
6. COURSE AGENDA
We will try to adhere to this, though there may be occasional variations.
August 25
Introduction to course; begin introductory material on Ezekiel (the man, the book)
September 1
Ezekiel 1, 2
September 8
Ezekiel 3
September 15
Ezekiel 4, 5 (analysis of Boadt/Wright due)
September 22
Ezekiel 6-9
September 29
Ezekiel 10, 11 (summary of Bullock’s essay due)
October 6
Ezekiel 12, 13 (midterm examination given during first part of class)
October 13
Ezekiel 14-16
October 20
Ezekiel 17-21 (summary of Briscoe’s sermons and sermon/lesson outline due)
October 27
Ezekiel 22-24
November 3
Ezekiel 25-32
November 10
Ezekiel 33-35
November 17
Ezekiel 36, 37
There will be no class on Tuesday, November 24 (Thanksgiving Break).
December 1
Ezekiel 38, 39 (major paper due)
December 8
Ezekiel 40-48 (“Relevance” paper due)
December 15
Final exam
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