Mid-South Christian College

Transcription

1 Mid-South Christian College Address: 3097 Knight Rd. Professor: Robert Griffin Memphis, TN Website: Home: (901) Version: 4.0 Date: December 22, 2008 OT 305 MINOR PROPHETS (2) Spring 2009 COURSE DESCRIPTION The class is designed to cover the books of the Old Testament known as the Minor Prophets (Hosea to Malachi). This course will include a description of the historical, cultural, and social background, the literary structure, and critical issues (authorship, date, audience, etc.) in order to discern their theological meaning and relevance for application to modern day believers through an exegetical study of these books. THE MISSION OF MSCC Mid-South Christian College exists to glorify God by partnering with Christian Churches in raising-up individuals called by God to fulfill the global vision of Christ by facilitating their academic, practical and spiritual preparation. STUDENT CORE LEARNING THREADS (ACLTS) 1. Demonstrate competence in the research, interpretation and application of the inspired Word of God, both the Old and New Testaments, at an undergraduate academic level of scholarship. (ABIB) 2. Demonstrate personal spiritual growth and devotion in relationship to God which results in increasing transformation into the likeness of the mind, attitudes and actions of Christ. (ASPI) 3. Demonstrate competence in the mental skills of thought, reasoning, reflection, analysis and discovery in seeking God s truth and application for today s cultures from a Biblical worldview. (AREA) 4. Demonstrate an understanding of their unique giftedness as well as that of others and how that giftedness will be used to serve God in community with others. (AGFT) COURSE OBJECTIVES Course Objective As a result of having completed this course, the student will produce a written outline and commentary on each of the books of the Minor Prophets learn how the moral & ethical messages of the prophets apply to her/his life & devotion to God learn how teaching the moral & ethical messages of the prophets is a vital necessity for world-wide evangelism understand the various ways that God used the prophets of old in order to better learn how God can use today's students in the modern world. Goal that it Supports This objective supports [ACLT] because... (ABIB) Demonstrate competence in the research, interpretation and application of the inspired Word of God at an undergraduate academic level of scholarship. (ASPI) Demonstrate personal spiritual growth & devotion in relationship to God which results in increasing transformation into the likeness of the mind, attitudes and actions of Christ. (AREA) Demonstrate competence in the mental skills of thought, reasoning, reflection, analysis and discovery in seeking God s truth and application for today s cultures from a Biblical worldview. (AGFT) Demonstrate an understanding of their unique giftedness as well as that of others and how that giftedness will be used to serve God in community with others. COURSE TEXTBOOKS The Bible [Students need a good study Bible in a modern English - NOT the KJV or a Paraphrase - both of which may be fine for personal worship & devotions, but neither is adequate for exegetical study of the Scriptures. I HIGHLY recommend the Archaeological Study Bible, NIV. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005]. Bullock, C. Hassell. An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Books. Chicago: Moody Press, Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible Book by Book. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,

2 PLAGIARISM. Students are expected to give proper credit when using the ideas of others. This frequently takes the form of quotation marks with proper footnotes or endnotes giving the source of the quotation. For examples, consult Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, & Dissertations. 6th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Submitting work done by another person as your own results in an F for the assignment and can result in further academic disciplinary measures. CLASS ATTENDANCE Regularity in class attendance is considered absolutely essential to the proper completion of a course. Absences caused by college sponsored activities are the only excused absences. All unexcused absences will result in the lowering of grades and may result in additional work. After absences equal to three weeks of class time the student must petition the faculty to remain in the class as a credit student. Absences in excess of 25% of the total class hours will result in failure of the course. A student is considered tardy if he arrives in class after the instructor begins to call the roll or has begun class or if he leaves before the class hour is completed. Four tardies are counted as one absence. Absences immediately preceding or following a school holiday will be counted as two absences. CLASS ASSIGNMENTS AND INCOMPLETE GRADES All class work is to be completed as assigned. No work will be accepted after the day of the final examination unless the student has filed for an extension before that time. An Incomplete Request Form is available in the Academic Dean s office upon the payment of a $10.00 fee. This form entitles the student to an extension of 30 days in which to complete all class assignments. Failure to complete the work within that extension will result in a grade of F. Announced tests and examinations should be taken when scheduled. Failure to do so will result in a late fee of $5.00 which must be paid before the test is administered. COURSE CHANGES OR WITHDRAWALS FROM COURSES Students who desire to make course changes must do so within the first two weeks of the semester. In order to withdraw from a class or change classes, a student must secure written approval from the registrar and from his instructor. Withdrawal from a class is permitted without penalty (except financial as outlined in the financial section of the catalog) during the first three weeks of the semester. After three weeks, the grade WP or WF will be given and entered on the student s transcript After 6 weeks, a student is not permitted to change a class from credit to audit. After 10 weeks, a student is not permitted to withdraw passing from any course. Withdrawal from a course without written approval from both the registrar and the instructor results in an F grade. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLEGE A student may not withdraw from the college without notifying the dean of students, academic dean or the president. The student is expected to meet all obligations involving his instructors, the business manager, librarian and registrar. Failure to notify the college of withdrawal may result in the student forfeiting any refunds due him. REFUNDS Withdrawal refunds of tuition and room rent will be as follows: * During the first two weeks of the semester - 80% * During the fourth week of the semester - 40% * During the third week of the semester - 60% * After the fourth week of the semester - No refund COURSE ASSIGNMENTS Please take note: MSCC Academic Policy states that all assignments must be turned in to pass a course. Any assignment not turned in will result in a grade of F for the semester. Description Date due Value 1 Class Attendance, Preparation, & Participation: (1) READ each book of the Minor Prophets BEFORE the class in which it will be discussed. (2) READ the textbook assignment BEFORE the class in which it will be discussed. (3) COMPLETE the 2-Page Questionnaire & Outline BEFORE every class period. (4) PARTICIPATE knowledgeably in classroom discussion each week based upon thorough preparation. 2 Exam 1: Introduction to the Minor Prophets -- Prophets during the Neo-Assyrian Empire (Jonah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah) 3 Exam 2: Prophets during the Neo-Babylonian Empire (Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Nahum, and Obadiah) 2 EVERY WEEK! 10% Feb % Mar % 4 Exam 3: Prophets during the Persian Empire (Haggai, Zechariah, Joel, and Malachi) Apr % 5 Major Student Project: Produce a Written Commentary on the Minor Prophets * Commentaries will be graded during each EXAM (Value = 10% each time = 30% total) Feb. 19; Mar. 26; Apr % Total 100%

3 COURSE CALENDAR Class Date Topic Assignment 1 Jan. 15 Introduction to the Book of the Twelve; Three Historical/Political/Geographical Eras: -- the Assyrian Empire = (8th-Century) -- the Babylonian Empire = (7th-6th Century) -- the Persian Empire = (6th-5th Century) 2 Jan. 22 "The Prophets: Voices of God's Servants" (Encountering the Old Testament, pp ) 3 Jan. 29 Jonah -- "Preface to the Prophets" 4 Feb. 5 Amos -- "Call for Moral Obedience" 5 Feb. 12 Hosea -- "A Prophet's Dilemma" 6 Feb. 19 Micah -- "Judgment, Hope, & Promise" 7 Feb. 26 Exam 1: 8 th -Century Writing Prophets (Student Commentary: 1-61 is DUE!) Zephaniah -- "Profile of a People" 8 Mar. 5 Habakkuk -- "Prophet of Transition" 9 Mar. 12 Nahum -- "The Reality of Judgment" 10 Mar. 19 Obadiah -- "Edom's Day of the Lord" 11 Mar. 26 Exam 2: 7 th -6 th Writing Prophets (Student Commentary: is DUE!) Haggai -- "The Temple & the Future" 12 Apr. 2 Zechariah -- "Prophet of the New Kingdom" Bullock: 9-36 "The Prophets": 2-15 (in "Commentary") Student Commentary: 1-15 Bullock: Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary: Bullock: Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary: Bullock: Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary: Bullock: Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary: Bullock: Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary: Bullock: Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary: Bullock: Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary: Bullock: Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary: Bullock: , Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary: Bullock: Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary: Apr. 9 EASTER BREAK NO CLASS!!! 14 Apr. 16 Joel -- "The Day of Decision" 15 Apr. 23 Malachi -- "Prophet of Covenant Love" 16 Apr. 30 Exam 3: 6 th -5 th Century Writing Prophets (Student Commentary: is DUE!) Bullock: Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary: Bullock: Fee & Stuart: Student Commentary:

4 BIBLIOGRAPHY Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. Handbook on the Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, Interpreting the Minor Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Gafney, Wilda C. Daughters of Miriam: Women Prophets in Ancient Israel. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, Gossai, Hemchand. Justice, Righteousness, and the Social Critique of the Eighth-Century Prophets. New York: Peter Lang, Klaus Koch. The Prophets. 2 Vols. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, McComiskey, Thomas Edward, ed. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical & Expository Commentary. 3 Vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, McConville, J. Gordon. A Guide to the Prophets. Exploring the Old Testament. Vol. 4. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Peterson, David L. The Prophetic Literature: An Introduction. Atlanta: John Knox Press, Seitz, Christopher. Prophecy and Hermeneutics: Toward a New Introduction to the Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, Smith, Ralph L. Micah - Malachi. Word Biblical Commentary. Vol. 32. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Micah - Malachi. Word Biblical Themes. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Stuart, Douglas. Hosea - Jonah. Word Biblical Commentary. Vol. 31. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Hosea - Jonah. Word Biblical Themes. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Sweeney, Marvin A. The Twelve Prophets. Volume 1: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, The Twelve Prophets. Volume 2: Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press,

5 Syllabus Acknowledgement Form Fill-in the Blanks with the Course Name, Number, & Semester-Year. Read Carefully. Check each box [ ]. Give the signed & dated form to your instructor. [ ] I have received a copy of the syllabus for, for. Course Name Number Semester - Year [ ] I have read the syllabus in its entirety, and I fully understand the course objectives and requirements for this class. [ ] I understand that ALL course requirements and assignments must be completed in order to pass this class. Printed Name Date Signature 5