BOT 680: Seminar in Old Testament Studies
Messianic Prophecy
Cincinnati Bible Seminary
Spring 2012
Jim Lloyd
(513) 244-8138
1. Rationale for the Class
God revealed His plans to send the Messiah to this lost world. Those prophecies came in many forms and by many hands. This course examines the most important prophecies of the Messiah and demonstrates how they are fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. This course provides a key link between the two Testaments and is valuable in exegetical, theological, practical, and apologetic work. In doing so, it lays a foundation for Biblical and theological studies.
2. Instructional Objectives
The student who satisfactorily completes this course will be able to:
· Understand the concept of Messianic prophecy in its various forms (e.g. visions, apocalyptic, poetry, and typology—both personal and non-personal kingdom passages);
· Understand the historical backgrounds behind these prophecies;
· Develop a sound methodology for the exegesis and interpretation of Old Testament prophecies in general and Messianic prophecy in particular.
· Identify erroneous views and interpretations of these passages.
· Determine the evidential value of Messianic prophecy.
· Deal with the issue of the relation of the Church and the kingdom of the Messiah.
· Relate the course to other subjects in the curriculum (e.g. apologetics, eschatology, etc.).
· Discover ways to apply the course to practical service in the church.
3. Major project
Since this is a seminar course, each student is required to write a 15-20 page research paper and then do a short, ten-minute in-class summary of the paper. The paper may take one of two tracks:
· The first option is to exegete, analyze, and interpret a messianic passage. One might, for instance, take Psalm 110 or Isaiah 7:14 or Micah 5:2 or Genesis 3:15 or Daniel 7:13-14, or some other well-known or lesser-known prophecy. The student may also choose to examine a typological passage such as the Passover Lamb in Exodus 12. The paper is to include the background, the context, a summary of major interpretations, and the student’s own interpretation of the passage. If the passage is quoted in the New Testament, then the student is to demonstrate how the NT interprets the passage and how it was fulfilled in Jesus.
· The second option traces a messianic theme through the Old and New Testaments. For instance, the student might trace the theme of suffering or the kingship, or the priesthood of the Messiah. In this option, the student is expected to be thorough in his or her identification of OT passages that deal with that messianic theme and demonstrate how the NT writers indicated how Jesus embodied and fulfilled this messianic idea.
· The paper is to include a bibliography of fifteen to twenty sources with a mixture of books and journal articles. Most of the bibliographic sources are to be taken from the bibliography provided on the Moodle Course Site. These sources are over and above the use of Bible versions and concordances. If you list a Bible version or a concordance in your bibliography, it must be done in addition to required sources. The student is expected to interact with the majority of these sources and not just include them in the bibliography. The student will be asked to upload his or her paper to the Moodle course site so other students may profit from the research. Students will be asked to take no more than ten minutes to summarize and explain the findings to the class.
4. Readings
The following are required texts:
· Israel’s Messiah in the Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Richard S. Hess and M. Daniel Carrol R., eds. Wipf and Stock, 2011, parts 1-3 only.
· Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament by Gerard Van Groningen, Wipf and Stock, 1997, Parts 1-5 only, pages 9-420
· The Last Days according to Jesus by R. C. Sproul. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
Additional readings will be either on reserve in the library or available on the library’s website.
· “Israel and the Church” in Biblical Studies in Final Things by William E. Cox, Presbyterian and Reformed, 1992, pages 46-94 only.
· Encyclopedia of Messianic Candidates and Movements in Judaism, Samaritanism and Islam by Eugene J. Mayhew. Cadieux and Maheux Press 2009, pages 121-148 only
· The Day the Stars Fell: Fulfilled Prophecy in the Book of Revelation, by James H. Lloyd.
Strongly suggested resource for your personal library:
· What the Bible Says about the Promised Messiah by James E. Smith. College Press, 1984
5. Grading Policy and Procedures
Midterm 25%
Final 25%
Project 50%
The student's project will be evaluated as follows:
Thorough with the topic 20%
Fulfills requirements 20%
Bibliography 20%
Overall Quality 20%
In-class presentation 20%
6. Outline of Subject Content and Organization of the Material
January 23 Introduction: The Idea of a Messiah and the nature of prophecy
January 30 Introduction to Messianic Prophecy (continued)
Assignment: Van Groningen Parts 1 and 2
February 6 Messianic Hope in the Books of Moses
Assignment: Van Groningen Part 3
February 13 Messianic Hope in the Books of History
Assignment: Van Groningen Part 4 and Part 6: chapter 13 only
February 20 Messianic Hope in Job and the Psalms
Assignment: Van Groningen Part 5 along with Summary and Prelude
February 27 Messianic Hope in the Psalms (continued)
March 5 Spring break (no class)
March 12 Midterm and Messianic Hope in Isaiah
Assignment: Israel’s Messiah in the Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls part 1
March 19 Messianic Hope in Isaiah (continued)
Assignment: Israel’s Messiah in the Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls part 2
March 26 Messianic Hope in Jeremiah and Ezekiel
Assignment: Israel’s Messiah in the Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls part 3
April 2 Messianic Hope in Daniel
April 9 Messianic Hope in Daniel (continued)
Assignment: The Last Days According to Jesus by Sproul is due.
April 16 Messianic Hope in Daniel (continued)
Assignment: The Day the Stars Fell, part 1 only is due.
April 23 Messianic Hope in the Minor Prophets
Assignment: “Israel and the Church” chapter by Cox.
April 30 Messianic Hope in the Minor Prophets (continued)
Assignment: Encyclopedia of Messianic Candidates, 121-148
Reading Report and project due
May 7 Final Exam