OT 304 THE MAJOR PROPHETS WINTER 2017 Monday 4:00-6:40 p.m.

Transcription

1 OT 304 THE MAJOR PROPHETS WINTER 2017 Monday 4:00-6:40 p.m. 1 Claude F. Mariottini Professor of Old Testament Northern Baptist Seminary Lombard, Illinois Phone (630) cmariottini@faculty.seminary.edu I. Textbooks 1. Required Reading a. New Oxford Annotated Bible (NRSV), 4th edition, Michael D. Coogan, Editor. $34.48 (Be sure you have the 4th edition). In this course I will be using the New Oxford Annotated Bible (NRSV), 4th edition. This is an excellent study Bible which provides a good introduction to each book of the Bible and also good study notes. Students are required to use this version of the Bible because students must read the introduction to each book and the study notes. Students are required to bring their Bible to class each week. Reading from another student s Bible is not allowed. b. Students must read the introduction and the notes of the following prophetic books in the New Oxford Annotated Bible (NRSV), 4th edition: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Reading must be done this quarter. Previous reading of these biblical book does not count for credit. A reading report must be submitted for each book read. The report must be submitted by before class begins. c. Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination. 2nd. Edition. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, ISBN: Pp $ d. Abraham J. Heschel, The Prophets. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, ISBN: Pp $29.95 e. James M. Ward, Thus Says the Lord. Nashville: Abingdon Press, ISBN: Pp $

2 f. Susan Ackerman, Isaiah, In The Women s Bible Commentary, eds. Carol A. Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe, Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992 (Available on Moodle). 2 g. Kathleen M. O Connor, Jeremiah, In The Women s Bible Commentary, eds. Carol A. Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe, Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992 (Available on Moodle). h. Katheryn P. Darr, Ezekiel, In The Women s Bible Commentary, eds. Carol A. Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe, Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992 (Available on Moodle). i. Toni Craven, Daniel, In The Women s Bible Commentary, eds. Carol A. Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe, Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992 (Available on Moodle). j. Randall C. Bailey, They Shall Become as White as Snow : When Bad Is Turned into Good, Semeia 76 (1996): (Available on Moodle). 2. Articles on the Prophets and Their Books The Anchor Bible Dictionary Christopher Seitz, First Isaiah (1-39), ABD 3: William Millar, Isaiah Apocalypse (24-27), ABD 3: Richard Clifford, Second Isaiah (40-55), ABD 3: Christopher Seitz, Third Isaiah (56-66), ABD 3: Jack Lundbom, Jeremiah, Book of, ABD 3: Lawrence Boat, Ezekiel, Book of, ABD 2: J. J. Collins, Daniel, Book of, ABD 2: The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible Christopher R. North, Isaiah, IDB 2: James Muilenburg, Jeremiah, IDB 2: S. Cohen, Ezekiel, IDB 2: D. S. Frost, Daniel, IDB 1: The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Supplement James M. Ward, Isaiah, IDBS William L. Holladay, Jeremiah, IDBS Walther Zimmerli, Ezekiel, IDBS A. A. Di Lella, Daniel, IDBS

3 II. Course Description 3 1. This course will provide an introduction to the prophetic movement in Israel and an overview of the earlier prophets. The course also will survey the four books known as the Major Prophets in the English Bibles. 2. This course will study the characteristics of prophecy in Israel and the social location of the prophets in Israelite culture. 3. The course will also focus on the message and ministry of the prophets and the social and political conditions that served as the background for their message. 4. The course will compare the characteristics of prophetic ministry to the work of pastors in today's society. III. Course Objectives 1. The course will help the student gain a historical overview of the prophetic movement in Israel as well as the political, religious, and social events that served as the background for the prophets and their ministry. 2. The course will help students encounter several of the prophets of Israel within their historical context in order to understand how the prophets functioned within Israelite society. 3. The course will help students develop an appreciation for the Old Testament as an integral part of the Christian Scriptures. IV. Course Requirements 1. Students are required to attend all meetings of the course, unless hindered by circumstances beyond their control. 2. Any student who misses more than 20% of classes will fail the course. 3. Students are expected to make preparation for each class meeting by reading the pages assigned in the textbooks.

4 4. It is also recommended that students read the prophetic books in the Old Testament before class. A knowledge of the content of each book will be helpful in the discussion of the message of the prophets. 5. Students will write a 3-5 page review of Brueggemann s book for a class presentation. In a group discussion, students will review the book and its application for ministry. The book review is due on Monday, February 20, Late work will lose 2 letter grades. The guidelines for the book review will be distributed in class. The book report must be submitted by before class begins. 6. Students will write a 1-page review for each article read in the Women s Bible Commentary. The review should describe the writer s perspective in dealing with women s issues in the prophetic books. The reviews must be submitted by before class begins the day the review is due. 7. Students will write a 1-page review on Randall C. Bailey s article. The review should describe the writer s perspective on the issue of black/white interpretation of the biblical text. The review must be submitted by before class begins the day the review is due. 8. Each student will be required to write a research paper on one of the prophetic issues. The paper will be a minimum of 10 pages in length and will be due on Monday, March 30, The paper must be submitted by before class begins. 9. Any work missed will have to be made up, and prior approval of the professor is required for makeups. Overdue work must be turned in. Late papers will be penalized one letter grade. Those students who fail to finish the reading of the biblical text assigned above during the quarter will be penalized 3 points from the total grade. 4 V. Grading There will be no quizzes in this course. The grading totals will be as follows: Book review 20% Bible Reading Report 20% Review of the articles 20% Research Paper 40%

5 VI. Office Hours The professor is available to any student who wishes to discuss any problem related to class work, term papers, or any matter related to seminary work. My office hours this quarter are as follows: Monday 1:30 p.m.- 3:00 p. m. Tuesday 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon 5 If you are unable to come to my office at the times listed above, call me and make an appointment to see me. I will try to meet with you at a time that is convenient to you. If you have any question concerning class work, requirements, or any other issue, send me an and I will respond as soon as possible. VI. Daily Reading 1. January 9 The Beginning of the Prophetic Movement Required Reading: 52 pages Ward, The Context of the Prophetic Message, Ward, The God of the Prophets, Heschel, What Manner of Man Is the Prophet, January 23 Isaiah 1-39 Required Reading: pages Ward, Isaiah Part I, Heschel, Isaiah 1-39, Bailey, They Shall Become as White as Snow Reading Report on Bailey is due today 3. January 30 Isaiah 1-39, continued Required Reading: 76 pages Ward, Isaiah Part II, Heschel, The Theology of Pathos, 1-47

6 Susan Ackerman, Isaiah, Reading Report: Isaiah 1-39 Reading Report on Ackerman is due today 4. February 6 The Isaianic School: Isaiah Required Reading: pages Ward, Isaiah 40-55, Ward, Isaiah 56-66, Heschel, Second Isaiah, Susan Ackerman, Isaiah, Reading Report: Isaiah Reading Report on Ackerman is due today 5. February 13 Jeremiah (Read only Jeremiah 1-20) Required Reading: Ward, Jeremiah, The Poetic Tradition, Heschel, Jeremiah, Kathleen M. O Connor, Jeremiah, Reading Report: Jeremiah 1-20 Reading Report on O Connor is due today 6. February 20 Jeremiah, continued Required Reading: 171 pages Ward, Jeremiah, The Prose Tradition, Book Review: Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination. Students must submit the book review before coming to class.

7 7. February 27 Ezekiel 7 Required Reading: Ward, Ezekiel, Katheryn P. Darr, Ezekiel, Bible reading on Ezekiel will be due March 13 The Reading Report on Darr is due today 8. March 6 Daniel Required Reading: Newsome, Toni Craven, Daniel, Bible Reading on Daniel is due today The Reading Report on Craven is due today 9. March 13 The Justice of God Required Reading: 70 pages Heschel, History, Heschel,, Chastisement, Heschel, Justice, Bible Reading on Ezekiel is due today. 10. March 20 Divine Wrath Required Reading: 49 pages Heschel, Anthropopathy, Heschel, The Meaning and Mystery of Wrath, Heschel, Ira Dei, The Research Paper is due today by . The paper must be ed before you come to class.

8 VII. Classroom Expectations 8 POLICIES FOR ALL MASTERS CLASSES NOTE: All communications from the seminary will go to your seminary account. Contact All Covered at (877) if you need help forwarding your seminary address to your personal address. As a seminary community we hold integrity/hospitality as core values. Individuals are able to do their best work and thinking when their peers are fully present and engaged. We expect each person to both participate in class and carefully listen to others with the belief that everyone s contribution is equally important. Therefore, the following policies have been established in order to provide clarity in regard to attendance expectations and relationships in the classroom. Diploma/Certificate Student Course Requirements The amount of work required of Diploma/Certificate students will be at the discretion of the professor. Students will be responsible for contacting the professor about what assignments are required. Class Attendance Policy It is expected that students will attend and participate in all class sessions. Failure to attend at least 80% of class sessions is grounds for automatic failure. A professor may set other attendance expectations. Students are always expected to communicate with a professor in advance if they will be absent. Attendance expectations are higher for online and intensive courses (see syllabus for specific requirements). Class Tardiness Policy The third time a student is late to the start of class, it will be counted as a class absence. It is also expected that students will return from a break by the time specified by the professor. Late Work Policy If a student cannot complete the work for a course by the due date listed on the syllabus, they must submit a Request for a Grade of Incomplete form to the Registrar by 4:30 of the last day of the term. The form must be signed by the instructor and Dean of Students. The professor may set stipulations and grade reductions. In the absence of a formal request form, the student will receive a grade based upon work completed by the last day of the term. Turabian Format All papers, including footnotes and bibliography, must be submitted in the correct format according to Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8 th ed., Plagiarism Plagiarism is the act of passing off as one s own the words or ideas of someone else without providing proper acknowledgement or documentation. See the Academic Honesty Policy in the Seminary Catalog for more information on plagiarism and how to avoid it.

9 Electronic Format Unless otherwise specified by the professor, all work submitted electronically must be in a Word document format (.doc,.docx). Technology Use in the Classroom Unless it is directly tied to note-taking or research for the class, students are expected to refrain from using cell phones, laptops, or other electronic devices during class. Course Evaluation in Moodle Students must complete an online course evaluation using the seminary Moodle system at The evaluation will be open at the end of the course. If you need assistance connecting to Moodle or accessing the evaluation, please send an to moodlehelp@seminary.edu. 9

10 OT 304 MAJOR PROPHETS Winter The Research Paper Each student will be required to write a 15 page research paper on one of the following subjects. The paper is due on Monday, March 20, The paper must be submitted by before class begins. Topics for the Research Paper 1. The Prophets and Social Tyranny 2. The Prophetic Audience 3. The Prophets and the Powerless 4. The Social Criticism of the Prophets 5. The Prophetic Role in Political Revolutions 6. The Prophets as Spokesmen for the Poor 7. The Prophets and the Social Crisis of the Eighth Century 8. The Prophets and Politics 9. The Social Message of Isaiah 10. The Call of Isaiah 11. Isaiah and the Syro-Ephraimite War 12. The Suffering Servant 13. Cyrus in the Book of Isaiah 14. The Prophet and His Society 15. Elijah and the Religious Crisis of Israel 16. Elisha and the Sons of the Prophet 17. The Problem of False Prophets 18. Ahijah and the Division of the Kingdom 19. Prophecy and Cult 20. The Role of the Prophetess in the Old Testament 21. The Call of Jeremiah (Jer. 1) 22. Jeremiah's Call to Celibacy (Jer. 16:1-9) 23. Jeremiah and the Reforms of Josiah 24. Baruch: Jeremiah's Secretary 25. Jeremiah and Hananiah (Jer. 28) 26. The Laments of Jeremiah 27. Jeremiah's First Lament (Jer. 11:18-12:6) 28. Jeremiah's Second Lament (Jer. 15:10-21) 29. Jeremiah's Third Lament (Jer. 17:14-18) 30. Jeremiah's Fourth Lament (Jer. 18:18-23) 31. Jeremiah's Fifth Lament (Jer. 20:7-13) 32. Jeremiah's Sixth Lament (Jer. 20:14-18)

11 33. The Call of Ezekiel 34. The Death of Ezekiel's Wife (Ezek. 24:15-27) 35. The Rise of the Apocalyptic Movement 36. The Social Background of the Apocalyptic Movement 37. Daniel and the Apocalyptic 38. The Second Exodus in Isaiah The Prophet as Paradigm for Today s Preacher 40. Jeremiah and the Suffering of God 41. The Tears of God in Jeremiah 11