SemPM, Summer, 2013 Gary V. Smith
Bethel Seminary Ph.651-426-0899
June 17-July 22
OT 503 PROPHETIC BOOKS
A. Course Description:
This exegetical study of the writings of the prophets will: examine how these prophetic messages reflect and interact with what was happening in their historical settings, analyze the process of persuasion the prophets used to motivate their audiences to transform their lives, explain what God was calling his people to believe and do, trace the development of the major theological themes presented in each book, and look for areas of application that impact the lives of believers today.
This will involve the student learning about the history of the Ancient Near East (ANE) from around 800 BC to 400 BC, as it relates to Israel and Judah’s international political relationships with Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. In addition, it is equally important to have some idea about the socio-economic situation at the time when each message was given because issues of justice and the oppression of the weak were a particular interest of the prophets. Of course the religious setting is of utmost importance, for the message of the prophets usually challenged inappropriate theological beliefs and called people to transform their beliefs and actions in order to bring them in line with God’s will.
Since the sharing of a prophetic message was a social event in which two or more people communicated with one another about an issue, an important part of understanding these prophetic books will be based on the interpreter having some knowledge of the way people relate socially and how their communication impacts the process of social transformation. Consequently, we will begin this class by studying communication theory and some concepts from the sociology of knowledge in order to be able to ask penetrating questions that one would otherwise not think to ask. These principles will then be applied to each prophetic message in order to better understand the ministry of each prophet.
B. Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this class the students should be able to:
1. describe the general content of each prophetic book in broad terms (knowledge).
2. identify the historical, socio-economic, and religious situation in Israel and Judah during the ministry of each prophet (knowledge and synthesis).
3. demonstrate good hermeneutical use of principles of interpretation that derive the meaning of a text from its historical and literary context (analysis and synthesis).
4. explain how each prophet was used to change the worldview of his audience by persuading them to transform their lives based on God’s revelation (analysis and synthesis).
5. produce a biblically based theological application from principles derived from a biblical text (application).
6. demonstrate an appreciation of God’s revelation as a source of inspiration and encouragement, as well as a guide to ethical behavior and service to God in the church and in society (value and application).
C. Methods of Instruction:
1. Instruction will involve students reading the text of each of the prophetic books (self-instruction) so that they can gain a first hand impression of the heart of each prophet and his ways of reaching his audience. The level of learning and appreciation attained during this process will be measured in exams, and a reading report.
2. Testing through examination encourages review and concentrated time spent working with material to improve comprehension and retention of the material. The student’s maturity and breadth of understanding is reflected in answers that only list the facts (knowledge) as well as with answers that show higher levels of synthesis by interrelating or contrasting the development of themes.
3. Learning by osmosis involves the gradual internalization of a process of approaching a text that is illustrated again and again in class. A paper will enable students to demonstrate their ability to deal with the historical, literary, exegetical, theological, and practical issues in a text, demonstrating all levels of learning.
D. Primary Required Texts:
A Bible – any translation is acceptable for the reading assignments.
G. V. Smith, An Introduction to the Hebrew Prophets: The Prophets as Preachers. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1994 (paperback).
Or the same text is available in Spanish
G. V. Smith, Guia Practica para Entender a los Prophetas de la Biblia. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2007 (paperback),
Supplemental Resources:
Please look through the bibliography for additional resource.
E. Assignments:
1. Reading assignment (25%) Please read the prophetic books for each class before you come to class. You are to keep a log of your biblical reading that includes: a) the date you did any reading; b) the chapters read that day, c) comments that summarize at least 2 theological significant aspects of each book (1 page on minor prophets, 2 pages on Isa, Jer, Ezek, Dan). Submit at the time of the final exam.
2. Exegetical paper (25%) You should also be aware that OT503 is an IP course: “This assignment has been identified as a required integrative assignment that you may wish to review and reference in future integrative coursework.” Students will write a 10-12 page exegetical paper on either Jer 42:1-17 or Haggai 1:1-15. Students should choose their text early so that time can be spent in the library doing research for this paper. The paper is due July 25 and should be submitted through Moodle. This paper should include (please use this outline in the paper):
A. Historical setting
1. Political/historical situation
2. Socio-economic situation
3. Religious situation
B. Exegetical analysis
1. Outline (on 2 levels)
2. Verse by verse exegesis (use at least 3 commentaries)
C. Synthesis and application
1. What was the prophet’s persuasive goal?
2. List of theological principles in passage
3. Applications for today
D. Bibliography
3. Two Exams (25% each) After the third week there will be a mid-term exam (Due July 9) over the prophetic books we have covered so far, with questions on the theory chapters as well. The final exam will be taken in class on July 22
Part of your grade is also the filling out the Course Evaluation: “Student course assessments are an important part of course development and enhancement. Student feedback is used by the professors to modify courses and teaching approaches and is included in decisions on promotion and tenure for professors. In order to recognize the value of your input and to encourage you to provide that input, your completion of the course assessment electronically at the end of the course will be included as a factor in your final course grade. See your course syllabus for how this will be calculated.” All courses will be evaluated, and the completion of the course evaluation is required to be part of students’ final grade. An email with a link to the survey will be delivered through the students' Bethel email account. A follow-up email will be sent a week later. The survey will be active for 12 days. The evaluations are gathered anonymously.
F. Grading:
This class will be graded on a curve rather than a set grading scale. The exams will include short answer essay questions related to the history, people, background, literary characteristic, exegesis, theology and 2 theory chapters. The question may ask a student to explain, evaluate, compare, apply, exegete, or interrelate issued studied in the class. The percentage or weight for each assignment of the class is indicated next to each assignment. Any late assignment are reduced 1/3 of a grade (from B+ to B), 2/3 of a grade (from B+ to B-) if a week late.
Academic Course Policies: Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document found in Moodle. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.
Communication is best through email (or by phone if necessary). I will check e-mail every day. Announcements for the week may appear on Moodle from time to time but most things should be clear from the syllabus. Students are expected to know the due dates on the syllabus.
G. Class Schedule:
Date Topic Assignment
1. June 17 Communication/ Smith, chap 1-2
Sociology
Amos/Hosea Smith, chap 3, 4
2. June 24 Jonah/Micah Smith, chaps 5, 6, 7
Isaiah
3. July 1 Nahum/ Zeph, Smith, chaps 8, 9, 10, 12
Habakkuk/Joel
4. July 8 No class Mid-term exam on Moodle: due July 9
5. July 15 Jeremiah/Obadiah Smith, chaps 11, 13, 14, 15
Ezekiel/Daniel
6. July 22 Hag/Zech/Mal Smith, chaps 16, 17, 18
Final Exam in class
7. July 25 Exegetical paper Class evaluation
J. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE PROPHETS
PROPHECY
Brueggeman, W. The Prophetic Imagination. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1978.
Bullock, C. H. An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Books. Chicago: Moody, 1986.
Chisolm, R. Handbook on the Prophets. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.
Craigie, P. C. The Twelve Prophets. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1884.
Heschel, A. J. The Prophets. (2 vols) New York: Harper and Row, 1962.
Smith, G. V. An Introduction to the Hebrew Prophets: The Prophets as Preachers. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1994.
VanGemeran, W. A. Interpreting the Prophetic Word. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.
Von Rad, G. The Message of the Prophets. New York: Abingdon. 1982.
Westerman, C. Basic Forms of Prophetic Speech. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1967
ISAIAH
Alexander, J.A. The Prophecies of Isaiah, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1953.
Baltzer, K. Deutero-Isaiah: A Commentary on Isaiah 40-66. Minneapolis: Fortress,
1987.
Beuken, W.A. M. Isaiah II: Vol 2: Isaiah 28-39, HCOT. Leuvan: Peeters, 2000.
Blenkinsopp, J. Isaiah 1-39, AB. New York: Doubleday, 2000.
______. Isaiah 40-55. AB. New York: Doubleday, 2002
______. Isaiah 56-66. AB. New York: Doubleday, 2003.
Childs, B. S. Isaiah. OTL. Louisville: Westminster J. Knox, 2001.
Clements, R. Isaiah 1-39, NCBC. London: SCM, 1980.
Delitzsch, F. “Isaiah,” Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1973.
Goldingay, J. The Message of the Isaiah 40-66: A Literary-Theological Commentary.
London: T&T Clark, 2005.
Goldingay, J. and Payne, D. Isaiah 40-55. 2 vol. ICC. London: T&T Clark, 2006.
Gray, G. B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Isaiah 1-27, ICC. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1912.
Koole, J.L. Isaiah III. Vol 1, Isaiah 40-48. Netherlands: Pharos, 1997.
______. Isaiah III. Vol 2. Isaiah 49-55. Leuvan: Peeters, 1998.
______. Isaiah III. Vol 3. Isaiah 56-66. Leuvan: Peeters, 2001.
Leupold, H. C. Exposition of Isaiah. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1968.
Motyer, J.A. The Prophecy of Isaiah. Leicester: IVP, 1993.
Muilenburg, J. “Isaiah 40-66,” Interpreter’s Bible. Nashville: Abingdon, 1952.
North, C. R. The Suffering Servant in Deutero-Isaiah. Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 1948.
Oswalt, J.N. The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 1-39. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1986.
______. The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 40-66. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1998.
Seitz, C.R. Isaiah 1-39. IntCom. Louisville: J. Knox, 1993.
______. “Isaiah 40-66,” NIB, 6. Nashville: Abingdon, 2001.
Smith, G. V. Isaiah 1-39. NAC. Nashville: B&H, 2007.
______. Isaiah 40-66. NAC, Nashville: B&H, 2009.
Sweeney, M. A. Isaish 1-39, with and Introduction to Prophetic Literature, FOTL 16.
Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
Watts, J. D.W. Isaiah 1-33. WBC. Waco: Word, 1985.
______. Isaiah 34-66. WBC. Waco: Word, 1987.
Westermann, C. Isaiah 40-66. OTL. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1969.
Wildberger, H. Isaiah 1-12. CC. Minneapolis: Fortress. 1991.
______. Isaiah 13-27. CC. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1997.
______. Isaiah 28-39. CC. Mineapolis: Fortress, 2002.
Williamson, W. A. M. The Book Called Isaiah: Deutero-Isaiah’s Role in Composition and Redaction. Oxford: Clarendon, 1994.
Young, E.J. The Book of Isaiah. 3 Vols. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965-72.
JEREMIAH
Bright, J. Jeremiah. AB. Garden City: Doubleday, 1965.
Brueggemann, W. Jeremiah 1-25: To Pluck Up and to Tear Down. ITC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.
______. Jeremiah 26-52: To Build and to Plant. ITC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
Carroll, R. Jeremiah. OTL. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1986.
Craigie, P. H. Jeremiah 1-25. WBC. Dallas: Word, 1991.
Harrison, R. K. Jeremiah and Lamentations. TOTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1973.
Holliday, W. Jeremiah 1. Her. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986.
______. Jeremiah 2. Her. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1989.
Huey, F. B. Jeremiah, Lamentations. NAC. Nashville: Broadman, 1993.
Lundbom, J. R. Jeremiah: A Study in the Ancient Hebrew Rhetoric. Missoula: Scholar’s Press, 1975.
Martens, E. A. Jeremiah, BCBC. Scottsdale: Herald, 1986.
McKane, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Jeremiah. ICC. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1986.
Thompson, J. A. The Book of Jeremiah. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980.
EZEKIEL
Allen, L. C. Ezekiel 20-48.WBC. Waco: Word, 1990.
Brownlee, W. H. Ezekiel 1-19. WBC. Waco: Word, 1986.
Block, D. I. Ezekiel 1-25. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
______. Ezekiel 26-48. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
Cooper, L. E. Ezekiel. NAC. Nashville: B&H, 1994.
Greenberg, M. Ezekiel I-XX. AB. Garden City: Doubleday, 1983.
Stuart, D. Ezekiel. Dallas: Word, 1989.
Taylor, J. Ezekiel. TOTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1969.
Zimmerli, W. Ezekiel 1. Her. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1979.
______. Ezekiel 2. Her. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1983.
DANIEL
Baldwin, J. B. Daniel. TOTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1978.
Beale, G. K. The Use of Daniel in Jewish Apocalyptic Literature and in the Revelation of St John. Lanham: University Press of America, 1984.
Collins, J.J. Daniel. Her. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1993.
Goldingay, J.E. Daniel. WBC. Waco: Word, 1989.
Lacoque, A. The Book of Daniel. Atlanta: John Knox, 1979.
Millar, S. Daniel. NAC. Nashville: B&H, 1994.
Rowley, H.H. Darius the Mede and the Four World Empires in the Book of Daniel. Cardiff: University of Wales, 1964.
Wood, L. A. Commentary on Daniel. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973.
Walvoord, J.F. Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation. Chicago: Moody, 1971.
Young, E. J. Commentary on Daniel. London: Banner of Truth, 1949.
HOSEA
Andersen, F. and D. Freedman, Hosea. AB. Garden City: Doubleday, 1980.
Davies, G. I. Hosea. NCBC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992.
Garrett, D. A. Hosea, Joel. NAC. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1997.
Hubbard, D. A. Hosea. TOTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity,1989.
Kidner, D. Love to the Loveless: The Message of Hosea. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1981.
Mays, J.L. Hosea. OTL. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1969.
McComisky, T. E. “Hosea,” in An Exegetical and Expository Commentary on the Minor Prophets Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992.