1 Check Blackboard at the start of the year for any revisions to the syllabus. The required texts will not change. Minor Prophets (GB 5253) Hazelip School of Theology, Spring 2018 Instructor: Dr. Phillip Camp Office: Ezell 212 Phone: 615-966-6130 E-mail: phillip.camp@lipscomb.edu Course Description: This Scripture course will provide a close study of the Books of the Minor Prophets to hear them as a word of God to the student and the church. That is, the goal of the study is not simply information but, more importantly spiritual formation and transformation for the individual and the church to whom he/she bears witness. To this end, attention is given to Minor Prophets' historical, literary, theological, and canonical contexts and how that ancient word to Israel intersects our world as a living word of God. Course Objectives Learning Objectives: Students completing this course will: 1. Have a mastery of the contents of the Minor Prophets. 2. Understand the books of the Minor Prophets in their historical, literary, and canonical contexts. 3. Be familiar with the major critical issues of the Minor Prophets. 4. Gain skills to interpret OT prophetic and poetic texts in general. 5. Discern the theology of the individual books of the Minor Prophets and the collection as a whole. 6. Have practice in reading and hearing Minor Prophets as a spiritual discipline. 7. Be able to hear and apply the books of the Minor Prophets as God s word to Christians and the church today. How Appropriated Reading the biblical text. Class notes, readings, online materials. Class notes, readings. Class notes, discussion board. Class notes, readings, discussion board. Residency week, readings, class discussion. Class notes, residency week lectures, discussion. How Assessed Summaries. Quizzes. Quizzes. Discussion board and participation, summaries. Discussion board and participation, summaries. Summaries, participation. Summaries, discussion board and participation.
2 The above stated goals are designed to accomplish the following Hazelip learning outcomes, as outlined in the school's mission: 1. A robust theological imagination rooted deeply in Scripture and shaped by the broad Christian tradition. - Means of assessment: Final Paper 1. 2. Formational habits that support a life of ministry. - Means of assessment: Final Paper 2. Required Texts: The student will read approximately 750 pages for this course from the assigned readings beyond the biblical text. 1. Elizabeth Achtemeier, Nahum-Malachi, Interpretation (Westminster John Knox, 1986). The hardback or paperback edition of this commentary is fine. The content is the same. 2. Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination, 2 nd edition (Fortress, 2001). 3. James Limburg, Hosea-Micah (Westminster John Knox, 1988). The hardback or paperback edition of this commentary is fine. The content is the same. 4. J. Gordon McConville, Exploring the Old Testament, Volume 4: A Guide to the Prophets (InterVarsity, 2002). The hardback or paperback edition of this commentary is fine. The content is the same. 5. Any modern, committee translation of the Bible (e.g., NIV, NRSV, NASB, ESV). 6. Links to online material and PDFs of articles will be provided for the student. Note on Readings: The student is encouraged to pursue his/her own questions with respect to the Minor Prophets by making use of the resources listed in the bibliography below, either through a library or purchase. When preparing to teach/preach from the Minor Prophets in your own ministries, it is strongly recommended that the student select commentaries to read alongside the required readings to help provide fuller or alternative understandings of the Minor Prophets to those presented in this class and its readings. Course Requirements: This is a hybrid course, which means it has both in-class and online components. Please pay careful attention to the requirements for each part of the course. A course schedule is below with specific dates and assignments for each week of the semester. All deadline times are Central Time.
3 1. Attendance and Online Lectures. The student must be present for the entire periods dedicated to this class during the residency week. Missing class, except in cases of emergency, will result in a reduction in the course grade. So please schedule accordingly. Please do not ask to leave class early or come to class late. For the online portion, the student should go to the course on Blackboard each Monday. Under the Weekly Assignments link there will be a folder for each week. Watch and read all the materials posted or linked in that folder. 2. Discussion Board: Most weeks of the online portion of the course, two students will post a prompt or question for the week in light of the biblical and commentary readings for the week (see the course schedule below). In some weeks, the instructor will also post a required prompt. The questions should engage some aspect of the theology of the biblical text and its relevance for the church. The questions should be designed to engage conversation, have students look to the biblical book(s) and readings for the week for guidance, and should be more that "What is the theology of the book?" or "How do we apply this book/passage." This post is to be made no later than Tuesday of a given week. If there is an instructor's prompt, it will also be posted no later than Tuesday. The rest of the class will then respond to each of the required prompts for the week, bringing in the readings for the week in some way. The responses need not be long (but consider 75 words a minimum). Post the replies no later than 11:59 PM on Thursday. A good response will demonstrate critical thinking on the issue raised in light of the readings and lectures for the week, whether in agreement or disagreement. That is, you are being asked for your opinion, but an informed opinion. The two students who made the initial posts will interact with the replies on their threads (i.e., lead and engage the conversation), and the instructor will do so on his post. The instructor will make a summary post by the end of the day Friday. No later than Monday of the following week, go back to the discussion board and reply to the instructor's summary post with a simple "yes" indicating that you have read all the posts and replies for that week on all required threads through Friday of that week. Reading all the posts and indicating so to the instructor is part of the Discussion Board grade. You are not required to read any posts made after Friday, but feel free to continue conversations. Keep in mind that there may be disagreements in the course of the threaded discussions, and that is fine. In fact, you should engage and challenge each other. But responses must be polite, respectful, and address the person s comment not the person him/herself (i.e., no personal attacks or impugning another student's motives or character). The grade will be lowered significantly for inappropriate participation. And do not use the Discussion Board to send personal messages to the instructor or other students. Use e-mail for that.
4 The discussion board grade begins at 90, if all the required posts are made on time. Additional thoughtful posts in discussions will raise the grade. Please do not get behind on the Discussion Board requirement. The grade for this requirement will be lowered for late and missed responses. Late posts are penalized (5-10 points/day), but should you miss a deadline, post the response(s) ASAP and get some credit. 3. Residency Week Participation. The student will come to the residency week prepared to discuss the books of Jonah and Joel (having done the readings), Walter Brueggemann's The Prophet Imagination and Phillip Camp's "The Prophetic Ministry: Where Has It Gone and How Can We Do It and Stay?" As part of your preparation for the discussion, submit a 2-3 page critique and evaluation of Brueggemann's book and a 1-2 page critique and evaluation of Camp's article on the first day of the residency week. Submit them as a single Word document (.docx) under the "Assignment: Critique and Evaluation" link, in the folder for the preparation week for the residency, by 11:59 PM on Saturday, March 3. The critiques will account for 50% of the residency week participation grade. Late work is penalized 10 points/day. 4. Quizzes. During certain weeks of the online portion of the course, students will take brief quizzes over introductory and critical issues with each Minor Prophet (drawn from the commentaries) and over additional assigned readings. The quizzes are open-book, but, since they are timed, the student will need to do the readings before starting the quiz. Each quiz must be taken in one sitting in the time allotted and must be completed by 11:59 PM on Wednesday of week the given texts are assigned. Once you start a quiz you must complete it. The quizzes are in the folder for the week under the "Weekly Assignments" link for the weeks that you have a quiz (see the course schedule below). 5. Summaries. Upon completion of each book of the Minor Prophets, the student will write a brief summary of that book (500 words maximum) to demonstrate she/he understands the general message of the book. The summary should include: (1) an overview of the message of the book as a whole (This book is about ); (2) a brief description of the structure or flow of the book; (3) what one learns about God in the book (theology); (4) a word to the church. While informed by your readings and the class discussions, the papers should demonstrate the student's understanding of the book in the student's own words. Thus, you do not need to cite sources. Post the papers by attaching a Word document under the "Assignment" link in the folder for the week. Spelling and grammar will account for 10% of the grade, so please proofread. These papers are due at 11:59 PM on Saturday of the weeks a book is completed. Late work will be penalized 10 points/day. 6. Final Papers. The student will complete the course by writing two short papers. Paper 1 will explore how the Minor Prophets speak into a contemporary issue. Paper 2 will explore how the study of the Minor Prophets can inform and sustain our ministries. See below for specific instructions.
5 Grading Percentages and Grade Scale: Discussion Board, 20%; Residency Week Participation (including the review and critique of Brueggemann's and Camp's works), 15%; Quizzes, 10%; Summary Papers, 20%; Final Paper 1, 20%; Final paper 2, 15%. Grade scale: 100-93% = A; 92-83% = B; 82-70% = C; below 70% = F NOTE: No Incompletes will be given except for extreme emergency for the student or his/her immediate family. Failure to turn in any assignment will result in a grade of no better than C for the course. Academic Integrity: In keeping with our identity as a Christian University and our goal to help shape lifelong disciples of Christ, academic integrity will be taken very seriously in this class. Unless specific permission is given to collaborate on assignments with other students, each student's work shall be his/her own. Cheating on exams or assignments and plagiarizing on written assignments will, depending on the severity of the case, result in penalties ranging from a significantly reduced grade on the assignment to failing the course. Instances of cheating or plagiarism may also be reported to appropriate members of the administration, depending on the situation. Decisions in these matters rest with the instructor. For information on Lipscomb s policies and procedures see the Academic Integrity page on Lipscomb s website (http://academics.lipscomb.edu/content.asp?cid=5329&sid=12) Dropping the Course: A decision to stop participating in the class or to not turn in assignments does not constitute dropping the course. Please see the "Graduate Catalog" for the official policies and procedures for dropping a course. If a student's name appears on the roster at grading time and the course has not been officially dropped, he/she will receive a grade based on the course requirements and grading percentages above. Students Requiring Accommodations: If you require accommodations for a documented disability, please discuss your circumstances with the instructor ASAP, preferably prior to the beginning of class. If you are entitled to accommodations but have not yet registered with the Counseling Center, contact that office immediately at 615-966-1781.
6 Course Schedule For each week, read the biblical text closely and prayerfully and read is listed under "Readings." Readings beyond the commentaries will be provided in the folders under weekly assignments. A = Achtemier, Nahum-Malachi; L = Limburg, Hosea-Micah; M = McConville, Exploring the Old Testament, Volume 4: A Guide to the Prophets 1 Week of: Jan 8 Introduction to OT prophets; the 8 th century prophets and their context; (online) Amos 1-4 Readings: M, xi-xxviii, 7-11 (on the Composition of Isaiah 1-39, predictive prophecy, and Isaiah 1-39 and 40-66), 133-134, 163-168 L, 79-104 David Petersen, "The Book of the Twelve, "The Prophetic Literature: An Introduction, pp. 169-176. PDF "The Divided Monarchy" (Luther Seminary, Enter the Bible, online) Quiz: Covers introductory issues and from M on prophets, the reading on Isaiah, and the introductory material on Amos, the introduction from L on Amos, Petersen's "The Book of the Twelve," and "The Divided Monarchy" (from Enter the Bible). Complete the quiz by 11:59 PM on Wednesday. Discussion Board: No student prompts. Respond to instructor's prompt(s) by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Jan 15 Amos 5-9 (online) Readings: M, 168-176 L, 104-126 Phillip Camp, "Excursus on Justice and Righteousness" from The Transforming Word One Volume Commentary (ACU Press, 2009). This is within the class notes for the week. Quiz: No quiz. Discussion Board: No student prompts. Respond to instructor's prompt(s) by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Assignment Due: Summary of Amos is due by 11:59 PM on Saturday. 1 The book has been through a couple of editions, which were merely changes in the appearance of the book. The content, however, is identical. The page numbers may be slightly off from the schedule below, but you should be able to find the correct pages based on chapter titles and headings, which are the same.
7 Jan 22 Hosea 1-7 (online) Readings: M, 135-142 L, 1-30 Elizabeth Achtemeier, commentary on Hosea 5, 7 (PDF) Renita J. Weems, "Gomer: Victim of Violence or Victim of Metaphor," Semeia 47 (1989):87-104. Quiz: Covers the introductions to Hosea in M and L and the Weems article. Complete the quiz by 11:59 PM on Wednesday. Discussion Board: Bryant (theology) and Forsythe (application) post the prompts by 11:59 PM on Tuesday. Class reply to the prompts by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Jan 29 Hosea 8-14 (online) Readings M, 142-150 L, 31-54 Elizabeth Achtemeier, commentary on Hosea 5, 7 (PDF) Quiz: No quiz. Discussion Board: Frazier (theology) and Garcia (application) post the prompts by 11:59 PM on Tuesday. Class reply to the prompts by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Assignment Due: Summary of Hosea is due by 11:59 PM on Saturday. Feb 5 (online) Micah Readings: M, 195-204 L, 159-198 Quiz: Covers the introductions to Micah in M and L. Complete the quiz by 11:59 PM on Wednesday. Discussion Board: Hall (theology) and Jones (application) post the prompts 11:59 PM on Tuesday. Class reply to the prompts by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Assignments due: Summary of Micah is due by 11:59 PM on Saturday. Feb 12 (online) Introduction to 7 th century prophecy; Nahum and Zephaniah Readings
8 The Kingdom of Judah (Luther Seminary, Enter the Bible, online) M, 205-209, 219-227 A, 1-30, 61-87 Ruth Padilla DeBorst, "Scrabble, Injustice, and Me," Journal of Latin American Theology 1:1 (2006): 6-25. Quiz: Covers the introductions to Nahum and Zephaniah in M and A, the DeBorst article, and "The Kingdom of Judah." The quiz must be completed by 11:59 P.M. on Wednesday. Discussion Board: Keefer (theology) and Martin (application) post the prompts by 11:59 PM on Tuesday. Class reply to the prompts by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Assignments due: Summaries of Nahum and Zephaniah due by 11:59 PM on Saturday. Feb 19 (online) Habakkuk and Obadiah Readings Exile (Luther Seminary, Enter the Bible, online) M, 179-183, 211-217 A, 31-60 (on Habakkuk) L, 127-136 (on Obadiah) Quiz: Covers the introductions to Habakkuk in M and A, the introductions to Obadiah in M and L, and "Exile" (from Enter the Bible). Complete the quiz by 11:59 PM on Wednesday. Discussion Board: McCartney (theology) and Mears (application) post the prompts by 11:59 PM on Tuesday. Class reply to the prompts by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Assignment Due: Summaries of Habakkuk and Obadiah due by 11:59 PM on Saturday. Feb 26 (online) Preparation for Residency Week. Readings: Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination Camp, "Prophetic Preaching" M, 153-161, 185-193 (on Joel and Jonah) L, 55-77, 137-157 (on Joel and Jonah) Quiz: Covers the introductions to Joel and Jonah in M and L. Discussion Board: No discussion board this week.
9 Assignments Due: Critique and evaluation of Brueggemann and Camp. Post by 11:59 PM on Saturday. Mar 5 Residency Week. This week we will work through the books of Joel and Jonah as a class, and we will explore general themes in prophets, prophecy, and prophetic ministry in light of the Minor Prophets. Discussion Board: No discussion board this week. Mar 12 Mar 19 (online) Spring Break. No class Introduction to the post-exilic prophets and their context; Haggai. Readings Judah during Persian Rule (Luther Seminary, Enter the Bible, online) M, 229-237 A, 89-105 Quiz: Covers the introductions to Haggai in M and A and "Judah During Persian Rule" (from Enter the Bible). Complete the quiz by 11:59 PM on Wednesday. Discussion Board: Shuler (theology) and Stringer (application) post the prompts by 11:59 PM on Tuesday. Class reply to the prompts by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Assignments Due: Summaries of Jonah, Joel, and Haggai are due by 11:59 PM on Saturday. March 26 Zechariah 1-8 (online) Readings: M, 114 (box on Apocalyptic), 239-248 A, 107-144 Longman and Dillard, pp. (PDF) Quiz: Covers the introductions to Zechariah in M and A, M on Apocalyptic, and the Longman and Dillard reading. Complete the quiz by 11:59 PM on Wednesday. Discussion Board: Trigg (theology) and Wilson (application) post the prompts by 11:59 PM on Tuesday. Class reply to their prompts and the instructor's by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Apr 2 Zechariah 9-14 (online) Readings: M, 249-256
10 A, 145-169 Terence Fretheim, "'I Was Only A Little Angry': Divine Violence in the Prophets," Interpretation 58 (2004): 365-375. Quiz: Covers Achtemeier's introduction to Zech 9-11, 12-14 (pp. 145-146) and the Fretheim article. Complete the quiz by 11:59 PM on Wednesday. Discussion Board: No student prompts. Class reply the instructor's prompt(s) by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Assignment Due: Summary of Zechariah is due by 11:59 PM on Saturday. Apr 9 (online) Malachi Readings: M, 259-269 A, 171-198 Quiz: Covers the introductions to Malachi in M and A. Complete the quiz by 11:59 PM on Wednesday. Discussion Board: No student prompts. Class reply to the instructor's prompt(s) by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Assignment Due: Summary of Malachi is due by 11:59 PM on Saturday. Apr 16 (online) Course Conclusion: Theology/Theologies of the Minor Prophets; Prophecy and Christology. Readings Ralph W. Klein, "Christology and Incarnation: Fulfillment and Radical Reinterpretation of Old Testament Prophets," Ex Auidtu 7 (1991): 9-17. Quiz: No quiz. Discussion Board: No student prompts. Reply to the instructor's prompt(s) by 11:59 PM on Thursday. By next Monday, make your "yes" reply on the instructor's summary post. Apr 23 Prepare final papers, which are due on Saturday, April 28. No quiz or discussion board posts this week.
11 Bibliography Books on OT Prophets and Prophecy Blenkinsopp, Joseph. A History of Prophecy in Israel, revised and enlarged ed. Westminster John Knox, 1996. Brueggemann, Walter. The Prophetic Imagination, rev. ed. Fortress, 2001. Davis, Ellen F. Biblical Prophecy: Perspectives for Christian Theology, Discipleship, and Ministry. Westminster John Knox, 2014. Heschel, Abraham J. The Prophets (Two Volumes in One). Prince Press/Hendrickson, 1962; Prince Press edition 1999. Hutton, Rodney R. Fortress Introduction to the Prophets. Fortress, 2004. Lundbom, Jack R. The Hebrew Prophets: An Introduction. Fortress, 2010. McConville, J. Gordon. Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Prophets. InterVarsity, 2002. Moberly, R. W. L. Prophecy and Discernment. Cambridge Studies in Christian Doctrine. Cambridge University Press, 2006. Nogalski, James D. Interpreting Prophetic Literature: Historical and Exegetical Tools for Reading the Prophets. Westminster John Knox, 2015. Petersen, David L. The Prophetic Literature: An Introduction. Westminster John Knox, 2002. Rad, Gerhard von. The Message of the Prophets. SCM, 1968. Westermann, Claus. Basic Forms of Prophetic Speech. Westminster John Knox, 1991. Wilson, Robert R. Prophecy and Society in Ancient Israel. Fortress, 1980. Wood, Leon J. The Prophets of Israel. Baker, 1979. Additional Resources Ryken, Leland, James C. Wilhoit, Temper Longman III, eds. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. InterVarsity, 1998. Commentaries on the Minor Prophets (covering multiple books)
12 Achtemeier, Elizabeth. Minor Prophets I. Understanding the Bible Commentary Series. Baker, 1996. [Formerly published by Hendrickson in the New International Biblical Commentary series] Achtemeier, Elizabeth. Nahum-Malachi. Interpretation, A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Westminster John Knox, 1986. Craigie, Peter C. Twelve Prophets, 2 vols. Westminster John Knox, 1984, 1985. Goldingay, John and Pamela Scalise. Minor Prophets II. Understanding the Bible Commentary Series. Baker, 2009. [Formerly published by Hendrickson in the New International Biblical Commentary series] Hahlen, Mark A. and Ham, Clay A. Minor Prophets Volume 2: Nahum-Malachi. College Press NIV Commentary. College Press, 2006. Keck, Leander, E. ed. New Interpreter s Bible Commentary, Volume VII: Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature, Daniel, and the Minor Prophets. Abingdon, 1996. McComiskey, Thomas E. The Minor Prophets. 3 Volumes. Baker, 1992, 1993, 1998. Nogalski, James D. The Book of the Twelve: Hosea-Jonah. Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary. Smyth & Helwys, 2011. Nogalski, James D. The Book of the Twelve: Micah-Malachi. Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary. Smyth & Helwys, 2011. O Brien, Julia, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries. Abingdon, 2004. Shank, Harold. Minor Prophets Volume 1: Hosea-Micah. College Press NIV Commentary. College Press, 2001. Sigmundson, Daniel J. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries. Abingdon Press, 2005. Smith, Ralph P. Micah-Malachi. Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 32. Word, 1984. Stuart, Douglas. Hosea-Amos. Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 31. Word, 1987. Sweeney, Marvin. The Twelve Prophets, Volume 1. Berit Olam. Liturgical, 2000. Sweeney, Marvin. The Twelve Prophets, Volume 2. Berit Olam. Liturgical, 2001. Walton, John W., ed. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary, Volume 5: The Minor Prophets, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. Zondervan, 2009.
13 For up-to-date annotated bibliography of good commentaries on the individual books in the Minor Prophets, see the following sites: Denver Seminary Journal Online (scroll down to commentaries on the Minor Prophets): http://denverseminary.edu/resources/news-and-articles/annotated-old-testament-bibliography- 2017/ Catalyst Online http://www.catalystresources.org/building-an-old-testament-library-hosea-malachi-5/
14 Final Paper Instructions There are two required papers, both due on Saturday, April 28 at ll:59 PM. Late papers are penalized 10 points/day. Paper 1: The Minor Prophets and a Contemporary Issue Write a paper (about 1500 words), in which you bring the Minor Prophets into conversation with a contemporary issue in the larger American culture. The paper should be a synthesis of what you have learned through the class about the Minor Prophets, their theologies, and their relevance for the world today. Therefore, this paper should be largely your words and thoughts, not a bunch of quotations from other sources. This paper is to address the church's response and role with respect to these issues. Thus, you are not writing about what the USA or people in general should do but what the church should do as a kingdom witness in the USA. You are not expected to do further research into the Minor Prophets, beyond what has been done in the course, though you can. In order to speak fairly and truly about the issue you address (e.g., experiences, statistic, etc.), you will probably need to do some research into those areas. Online resources (statistical data, government information, news sites) are fine for this as long as they are credible and their claims are documented. The paper should have the following format: I. State the problem. Give some insight into the matter you are addressing so that the church can understand the nature of the problem and why it is, in fact, a problem. Also address the church's response(s) negative and positive to the issue. II. Let the Prophets Speak. Bring the Minor Prophets into conversation with the problem/issue and the church. How do the Minor Prophet's speak to God's people with respect to this issue? Keep in mind that the prophets both critique and energize (to borrow from Brueggemann), so both elements should be represented in your paper. Include at least 6 of the Minor Prophets, and be fair to their messages, contexts, and theologies (i.e., don't just list a bunch of proof texts). This should be the bulk of the paper. III. God's Word to the Church. Give a summary paragraph, citing what the Minor Prophets are calling the church to do in this matter. Also offer some concrete suggestions for implementing the call. Choose from one of the following: 1. racism 2. poverty 3. aliens (legal and undocumented) Criteria for Grading:
15 Content (80%): 1. Have you adequately described the problem you are addressing, and the church's responses to it? Have you backed up your claims? 2. Have you engaged at lest 6 of the Minor Prophets? 3. Have you been fair to the context and content of the Minor Prophets? 4. Have you imaginatively brought the issue, the church, and the prophets into conversation, so that a word to the church emerges (both critique and energizing)? 5. Have you offered concrete responses for the church to the situation at hand? 6. Is this paper a reflection of your reflection and thinking, informed by your reading and research, but not simply repetitions or quotations of sources? Writing (10%): Have you proofread closely to eliminate spelling and grammar errors? Does your writing clearly communicate your points? Following the Paper Instructions (10%): Have you followed all the instructions in this document, including those below? Instructions 1. The paper should be approximately 1500 words. You can go under the word count as long as you meet the expectations. Going well over the word count can reduce the grade. So write concisely! 2. The paper should be double-spaced and paragraphs indented. 3. Use a bolded heading to separate each of the three main sections of the paper. 4. When citing the biblical text, use the full name of the book or an abbreviation with the chapter and verse(s) in Arabic numerals, e.g., Hosea 2:1 or Mal 1:3. Cite chapters and verses similarly (e.g., v. 1 or chapter 3). Do not cite them along these lines: "The twenty-first verse of the first chapter of Zechariah," or "Jonah chapter two, verse eight." You can include small quotations of Scripture, but for the most part summarize what they say and give the citation. 5. Use footnotes to cite your sources. Footnotes won't be included in the word count as long as they are used to cite sources and not for additional information. Follow a standard footnote format, and for the first citation give all the relevant bibliographical information. 6. To submit the paper, attach is as a Microsoft Word file (.docx) under the "Paper 1" assignment under the "Final Papers" link on Blackboard. It must be submitted as a Word file so Blackboard's comment/correction tools can be used in grading. Paper 2: The Minor Prophets and Spiritual Formation for Ministry Write a paper (about 1200 words) reflecting on how the Minor Prophets have informed or affected your relationship with God and your understanding of your role in ministry. There is no
16 set format for the paper, other than it should be a first-person narrative (i.e., paragraphs, not bullet points). The paper should take into account the Minor Prophets as a whole, but be sure to also specifically engage with individual prophets. Feel free to draw in material from your other classes as well. It is fine to include some brief quotations from other sources and to quote the biblical text, but this paper should be largely your own narrative. Criteria for Grading: Content (80%): 1. Have you demonstrated a substantial, thoughtful engagement with the Minor Prophets in connection with your relationship with God and your ministry? 2. Have you been fair to the context and content of the Minor Prophets? 3. Is this paper a reflection of your reflection and thinking, informed by your reading and research, but not simply repetitions or quotations of sources? Writing (10%): Have you proofread closely to eliminate spelling and grammar errors? Does your writing clearly communicate your points? Following the Paper Instructions (10%): Have you followed all the instructions in this document, including those below? 1. The paper should be approximately 1200 words. You can go under the word count as long as you meet the expectations. Going well over the word count can reduce the grade. So write concisely! 2. The paper should be double-spaced and paragraphs indented. 3. When citing the biblical text, use the full name of the book or an abbreviation with the chapter and verse(s) in Arabic numerals, e.g., Hosea 2:1 or Mal 1:3. Cite chapters and verses similarly (e.g., v. 1 or chapter 3). Do not cite them along these lines: "The twenty-first verse of the first chapter of Zechariah," or "Jonah chapter two, verse eight." You can include small quotations of Scripture, but for the most part summarize what they say and give the citation. 4. This is not a researched paper, but if you draw on sources use footnotes to cite them. Footnotes won't be included in the word count as long as they are used to cite sources and not for additional information. Follow a standard footnote format, and for the first citation give all the relevant bibliographical information. 5. To submit the paper, attach is as a Microsoft Word file (.docx) under the "Paper 2" assignment under the "Final Papers" link on Blackboard. It must be submitted as a Word file so Blackboard's comment/correction tools can be used in grading.