Paul L. Redditt, Introduction to the Prophets (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008).

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1 Preliminary Course Syllabus BTS /BTS , Topics Prophets of Israel Canadian Mennonite University Fall Semester, , Monday 8:30 11:15 am Voluntary Withdrawal Date: Nov. 13 Instructor: Daniel Epp-Tiessen Ph.D, University of St. Michael s College Office: South Campus near the Chapel, Room C19 Phone: , ext depptiessen@cmu.ca Final Exam: 2 hours Course Description The course will begin by surveying the stories of several prophets from early Israelite history. Most of the course will focus on the prophetic books of Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, with somewhat less time devoted to Ezekiel, Micah, and Jonah. The course will require students to read extensive prophetic texts so that they are prepared to discuss them in class. Learning Objectives After successful completion of this course students should have some understanding of: 1. the roles played by prophetic figures in ancient Israel; 2. the ways in which Israelite prophets responded to the social, historical, and religious situation of their time; 3. the content of many Old Testament prophetic books; 4. how editors and scribes shaped prophetic materials to retain their ongoing vitality; 5. how the completed prophetic books functioned as survival literature, designed to help the struggling Jewish community navigate the challenges of imperial domination; 6. different ways of studying and interpreting the prophetic literature; 7. the contribution of Israel s prophets to Judaism and Christianity; 8. the theological, spiritual, and ethical gifts that the prophetic literature has to offer contemporary Christian faith; 9. various theological and ethical challenges that the prophetic literature poses for Christian faith. Texts Paul L. Redditt, Introduction to the Prophets (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008). OR James D. Nogalski, Introduction to the Hebrew Prophets (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2018). (I will choose one of the above after I have read Nogalski.) Walter Brueggemann, Hopeful Imagination: Prophetic Voices in Exile (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1986). Any modern translation of the Bible, but not a paraphrase. Students should bring their Bibles to each class.

2 Course Requirements Reading: Regular readings from the Bible, the textbooks, and several other sources that will be posted on the CMU Student Portal. Written Work Class Presentation Attendance Brief reading responses due each week Major essay of ca words Based on the research for the major essay. Because consistent class attendance is critical to the learning experience, class attendance is mandatory and will impact a student s grade. Policies regarding class attendance are spelled out in the CMU Academic Calendar Any student missing more than two classes will not earn credit for the course and will be debarred. Students missing more than one class will earn significantly fewer marks for class participation, except in cases of serious illness. Grading Reading responses 30% Class presentation 10% Research essay 25% Class preparation and participation 10% Final exam 25% Please note that grades become final only after vetting by the Dean s office. Grading Scheme: A C A C B D B F 0-49 Academic Conduct Students must be familiar with CMU polices regarding plagiarism and other aspects of academic misconduct, as spelled out in the CMU Academic Calendar A document listing these policies will be placed on the student portal. Accessibility Programs CMU strives to provide a fair and supportive learning environment for academically qualified students with disabilities. If you are eligible for these services or have questions about becoming eligible, please contact Sandra Loeppky, Coordinator of Accessibility Programs at sloeppky@cmu.ca or , ext Tentative Course Outline Sept introduction to the course - getting oriented: geography and history - prophetic books and where they fit in the Bible

3 - what is prophecy? - insights from cross-cultural studies of intermediation Sept stories of prophets from the early history of Israel (Moses, Samuel, Nathan, Ahijah, Elijah) Sept introduction to the Book of the Twelve - the book of Hosea - theological and ethical resources and challenges Oct. 1 - the book of Amos - theological and ethical resources - dare we challenge the prophetic interpretation of history? - prophetic literature as survival literature Oct. 8 Thanksgiving holiday Oct student presentation: Did Israel have female prophets? - the complex book of Isaiah - historical contexts and central themes Oct Isaiah 40 66: Isaiah responds to exile, hopelessness, and disappointed hopes - student presentation: The new exodus in Isaiah Oct student presentation: The mission and identity of the Suffering Servant - the complex book of Jeremiah - the conflicted prophet Jeremiah Nov. 5 - student presentation: The laments of Jeremiah - Jeremiah s hope - the conflict between true and false prophecy Nov student presentation: Images of God as mother in the prophetic literature - Ezekiel: prophet of destruction and hope Tuesday, Nov. 13 is the last day to withdraw from a course without academic penalty Nov student presentation: The portrayal of Israel as unfaithful woman in Jeremiah and Ezekiel - student presentation: I am YHWH the recognition formula in Ezekiel - Ezekiel continued

4 Nov student presentation: Ecological themes in the prophets - the book of Micah Nov. 28: Please note that class this day replaces the class missed on Thanksgiving Monday. - student presentation: Prophecy in the early church - the book of Jonah - closing reflections, the enduring legacy of prophecy TBA: Final Exam, (two hours) Research Project Each student is required to complete a major research project that will lead to a word essay as well as a class presentation. The project should focus on one of the topics listed below. The tentative date of the class presentation is included with the topic. All of the essay/class presentation topics listed require some greater focus or refinement in some other way. In order to ensure that students are understanding the topic and that their research is headed in a fruitful direction, every student must consult briefly with me about the direction they wish to pursue in their research. Because this is a major research project students must consult a variety of commentaries, monographs, Bible dictionaries, and journal articles. On-line sources are acceptable but the majority of research should be conducted using library resources. The essay should survey the relevant scholarship on the topic and related texts, and should indicate familiarity with relevant scholarly viewpoints. In addition to careful description of points related to the topic, students should identify and engage some of the relevant theological issues raised by the text or topic. It is essential that the paper utilize proper essay format, and be written in proper English style with a minimum of stylistic, grammar, and spelling errors. It is also essential that students avoid plagiarism and document their work properly. Before writing their essay students should carefully study the handout Guidelines for Essay Writing. CMU s official style guide is Diane Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual (8 th ed.; Boston: Bedford/St. Martin s, 2016), which is an invaluable resource for students. Each student will have ca. 20 minutes to present the findings of their research to the class. The class presentation should not be read but the material presented in some type of interesting and engaging format. After the presentation there will be opportunity for class discussion. The presentation should identify at least one question (hopefully more) for class discussion after the presentation. The class presentation will be evaluated both for content and effectiveness of presentation. An electronic version of the essay must be submitted to the instructor at least six days before the class presentation (i.e. by Tuesday midnight). After the class presentation the student will have an additional week to make slight revisions to the essay, taking into account feedback from the class discussion, and then the final essay is due one week after the class presentation. Presentations will be scheduled throughout the semester to fit with material being discussed in class. Late assignments, which includes the electronic version of the essay, will be penalized one full letter grade (A>B). Potential Topics

5 Did Israel have female prophets? (Oct. 15) The new exodus in Isaiah (Oct. 22) The mission and identity of the suffering servant in Isaiah (Oct. 29) The laments of Jeremiah (Nov. 5) The portrayal of Israel as unfaithful woman in Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Nov. 12) Images of God as mother in the prophetic literature (Nov. 12) The portrayal of Israel as unfaithful woman in Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Nov. 19) I am YHWH the recognition formula in Ezekiel (Nov. 19) Ecological themes in the prophets (Nov. 26) Prophecy in the early church (Nov. 28) The symbolic actions of Ezekiel (choose several examples) Use of prophetic texts in Matthew or Luke-Acts The nature and form of prophetic call stories (Isaiah 6; Jeremiah 1; Ezekiel 1-3) Portrayals of the Messiah in the prophetic books The Day of YHWH in the prophets Tree imagery in Isaiah