OT 925 Exegetical Seminar on the Book of Isaiah Assignment-Syllabus Faith Theological Seminary Spring 2014

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1 OT 925 Exegetical Seminar on the Book of Isaiah Assignment-Syllabus Faith Theological Seminary Spring 2014 Professor: Rev. Lamont Conyers or Program: Doctoral TRACS Standards: Individual courses, seminars, within graduate programs must evidence a process for the evaluation of stated objectives and/or student outcomes and competencies through objectives which can be assessed and evaluated through student performances/learning experiences at critical periods. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is an Exegetical Study on the Book of Isaiah. Careful attention is given to the special introductory aspects of the book: 1) unity, authorship, date; 2) historical background; 3) themes, motifs, or emphasis; 4) purpose(s); and 5) literary features. A detailed Exegetical discussion of the major portions of the text will be presented, especially the Messianic sections. I. COURSE OBJECTIVES A. The student should comprehend the historical background related to the setting of the book, including key kingdoms, personages, and the political climate within and without the nation of Israel/Judah. B. The student should be able to express the theme/purpose of the book, and be able to develop the theme section by section, and express the major emphasis for these portions. C. The student should be able to discuss the nature of several concepts presented in the book: the covenant setting, the Day of the Lord, the Messianic portions of the book including the servant songs and the identity of the King in chapter 14. II. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS A. Readings: The student will read twice through the Book of Isaiah (using a translation, not a paraphrase). The student will also read the corresponding sections from the commentary by Oswalt in connection with the reading of the biblical text. (See ASSIGNMENTS Reading Report). B. Study Questions: The student will complete three of the four major Study Question assignments. The student must answer questions 1 and 2 and then will choose to answer question 3 or 4. These assignments are to be submitted via . (See ASSIGNMENTS Study Questions.) C. Research/Exposition Paper: The student is to prepare a 25-page exegetical research paper that is an exposition of a passage from the book of Isaiah. A sample copy of a research paper will be placed in the course folder and the

2 format is to be followed by the student. Exposition Paper.) (See ASSIGNMENTS Research/ III. EVALUATION AND GRADING A. Weight The items below will constitute the following percentages of the final grade: Course Readings and Articles 30% Study Questions from the book of Isaiah 20% Exegetical Research Paper 30% B. Grading Scale A = B = C = IV. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS Oswalt, John N. Isaiah: The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003., The Book of Isaiah 1-39, New International Commentary of the Old Testament Grand Rapids, Mich: Erdmans The Book of Isaiah 40-66, New International Commentary of the Old Testament Grand Rapids: Mich: Erdmans Sandy, D. Brent. Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, V. Study Questions The student will complete three of the four major Study Question assignments. The student must answer questions 1 and 2 and then will choose to answer either question 3 or 4. These assignments are to be submitted via . Each answer should be 3-4 (doublespaced) typed pages and should include sufficient detail to adequately answer the question. The student is required to use Turabian style for these assignments.

3 These papers should reflect a graduate level use of English grammar, idiom, and spelling. Assignments will be graded on the basis of the clarity of the argument and the persuasiveness of the evidence used to support the argument. Students are to carefully validate and prove their answers from the biblical text, not merely from quoting or summarizing the views of others. Assignments not completed by due date will not receive credit. Study Question # 1: What is the identity of the child, "Immanuel," whose birth is referred to in Isaiah 7:14? (See Lesson 9 for further details) Study Question # 2: Does Isaiah 14:12-14 refer to the fall of Satan? (See Lesson 11 for further details) Study Question # 3: What is the meaning of the term "Redeemer" used for the Lord in Isaiah and the OT at large? (This question is a Word Study assignment.) (See lesson 15 for details) Study Question # 4: Who is the Servant in Isaiah 40-55? (See Lesson 16 for further details) VI. TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE DATES: READINGS (PLEASE READ PRIOR TO CLASS): 02/17 Introduction to the Book of Isaiah History of 8 th Century 02/18 Introduction to Prophetic Literature ASSIGNMENTS (DUE DATE): Read course notes and PowerPoint on the unity of Isaiah Read course notes and PowerPoint on prophecy 02/19 Isaiah 1 3 Read Oswalt Commentary 02/20 Isaiah /21 Isaiah /22 Isaiah Read Commentary. See PowerPoint Read Commentary. See PowerPoint Read Commentary. See PowerPoint

4 VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY Arnold, Bill T., and Bryan Beyer. Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, Cahill, Thomas. The Gifts of the Jews. New York: Nan A. Talese, Campbell, Donald K., and Jeffrey L. Townsend. A Case for Premillennialism: A New Consensus. Chicago: Moody Press, Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. From Exegesis To Exposition: A Practical Guide to Using Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids: Baker, Clements, R. E. The Unity of the Book of Isaiah, Interpretation 36 (1982): Conrad, E. W. The Royal Narratives and the Structure of the Book of Isaiah, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 41 (1988): Day, John. God and Leviathan in Isaiah 27:1, Bibliotheca Sacra 155 (1998): Doorly, William J. Isaiah of Jerusalem: An Introduction. New York: Paulist Press, Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology (vol. 3). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas K. Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All its Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Goldingay, John. The Compound Name in Isaiah 9:5(6), Catholic Biblical Quarterly 61 (1999): Holladay, John. Assyrian Statecraft and the Prophets of Israel, Harvard Theological Review 63 (1970): Kaiser, Walter. Evidence from Jeremiah. In A Case for Premillennialism: A New Consensus, edited by Donald K. Campbell and Jeffrey L. Townsend, (Chicago: Moody, 1992), 104 King, Philip J., and Lawrence E. Stager. Life in Biblical Israel. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, Ladd, George E. A Theology of the New Testament. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Lindsey, F. Duane. Isaiah s Songs of the Servant: The Call of the Servant in Isaiah 42:1 9, Bibliotheca Sacra 139 (1982): Isaiah s Songs of the Servant (Part 2): The Commission of the Servant in Isaiah 49:1 13, Bibliotheca Sacra 139 (1982):

5 . Isaiah s Songs of the Servant (Part 3): The Commitment of the Servant in Isaiah 50:4 9, Bibliotheca Sacra 139 (1982): Isaiah s Songs of the Servant (Part 4): The Career of the Servant in Isaiah 52:13 53:12, Bibliotheca Sacra 139 (1982): Isaiah s Songs of the Servant (Part 5): The Career of the Servant in Isaiah 52:13 53:12, Bibilotheca Sacra 140 (1983): Merrill, Eugene H. The Literary Character of Isaiah (Part 2): Literary Genres in Isaiah 40 55, Bibliotheca Sacra 144 (1987): Oswalt, John N. The Book of Isaiah, Chapters New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Roberts, J. J. M. Isaiah in Old Testament Theology, Interpretation 36 (1982): Ross, Alan P. How the Sovereign LORD God Prepares His Servants (an exposition of Isaiah 6:1 13): < (n.d.). Thomas, Robert L. The Mission of Israel and of the Messiah in the Plan of God, The Master s Seminary Journal 8 (1997): VanGemeren, Willem. New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Watts, John D. W. Isaiah Word Biblical Commentary, 24. Waco, TX: Word, Waltke, Bruce K., J. I. Packer, and Sven K. Soderlund. The Way of Wisdom: Essays in Honor of Bruce K. Waltke. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Ward, James M. Servant Songs in Isaiah, Review and Expositor 65 (1968): Wegner, Paul. A Re-examination of Isaiah IX 1 6, Vetus Testamentum 42 (1992):

6 VIII. FTS Plagiarism policy Seminary Statement on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: Plagiarism means representing any work (including original ideas and opinions) as your own that is not your own. All information, quotes, and paraphrasing from all sources must be properly documented. All work submitted for this course must be your own and written exclusively for this course. Academic dishonesty is defined as an intentional act of deception in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or effort of another person, or uses unauthorized material or fabricated information in any academic work. It includes, but is not limited to: Cheating giving or receiving answers on assigned material, using materials or aids forbidden by the instructor, alteration of academic records, unauthorized possession of examinations, the falsification of admissions, registration or other related college materials, or any other intentional use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, or study aid. Plagiarism the offering of someone else s work, words, or idea as one s own or using material from another source without acknowledgement. Exclusive use of internet web sites for research content is discouraged. All references must be cited, NO paraphrased information. It is best to use the library databases/books for all research. Interference interfering without permission with the work of another student either by obtaining, changing or destroying the work of another student. Buying or selling of term papers, homework, examinations, laboratory assignments, computer programs, etc. Falsifying of one s own or another s records. Knowingly assisting someone who engages in A-E above. Committing plagiarism may result in the following consequences Faculty may impose the following disciplinary actions within the context of a course, o lowering of a grade or failure for a particular assignment. o lowering of a grade, failure and/or dismissal from the course. The Academic Dean, Academic Committee, and the Program Dean (responsible for the student s curriculum) may impose harsher measures within the context of the seminary such as: o disciplinary probation may include a limitation on credits, mandatory repeat of a course, etc. o suspension from a curriculum. FAITH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (410) , 529 Walker Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21212, fts@faiththeological.org Website: