WESTERN SEMINARY SAN JOSE

OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES III

BLS 502XS; 2 Credit Hours

Brian G. Morgan

Pastor Peninsula Bible Church Cupertino

brian@pbcc.org; www/pbcc.org

Fall Semester, 2004

SYLLABUS

"Your sons and daughters will prophesy"

Joel 2:28

September 25, October 9, 23, November 6, 20, December 11

Saturdays from 7:45 am -12:25 pm

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

The seventeen books of the Prophets (Isaiah – Malachi) are studied with emphasis upon both biblical content and the application of hermeneutical methodology. In this course we will study the historical background and theological content of each of the books of the prophets to become acquainted with their distinctive contribution and modern relevance. Recommended prerequisite: DBS 506, Interpreting Scripture.

II. COURSE GOAL

The overall purpose of this course is to enable the student to understand the major theological issues and historical background of the prophetical books of the Old Testament through synthetic, analytical and canonical studies and to see their radical relevance for today in the age of the New Covenant.

III. COURSE OBJECTIVES
  1. Affective: The student would increase in greater affect for the Word of God, the contents of the prophetical books, and personal spiritual transformation, specifically:

    2. 1. To develop a "prophetic imagination" so that one’s heart "burns" from the ability to

    discern the "kingdom of God" being "at hand" (Luke 24:32).

    2. Have a greater desire to know God and love Him by encountering Him through His

    prophetic word.

    3. Have a greater sense of God’s holiness and justice coupled with His infinite "loyal-love."

    4. To be in awe of God’s work among all nations and the privilege of being fully "grafted in."

    5. Have a greater appreciation for the depths of the poetic expression of the prophets.

    6. Be inspired with a vision to "study" for a lifetime and the value of ancient texts for modern

    day expository preaching.

  2. Volitive: The student would increase in his/her commitment to the study and proclamation of the Old Testament by:
  1. Studying the prophetic books with competence, diligence, faith and dependence.
  2. Prayerfully integrating biblical principles and methods of communication into one's mind and heart personally and consistently.
  3. Communicating the Word of God with conviction coupled with humility, and joy coupled with sensitivity.
  1. Cognitive: As a result of this course, the student would learn to:
  1. Become familiar with the art of Biblical poetry and how theology is expressed in metaphor.
  2. Recount the basic contents of each book, its major literary, structural developments and its place in the canon.
  3. Sketch the historical, geographical, and theological situation of each book.
  4. Discuss intelligently some of the major interpretive and crucial passages.
  5. Discuss intelligently various literary genres encountered in these books.
  6. Identifying key theological themes of each book and understand how they develop in the canon of Scripture into the New Testament with special emphasis on Isaiah’s New Exodus in the gospel of Mark.
  7. Understand the importance of developing a "prophetic imagination" for spiritual development in the areas of 1. Confronting sin; 2. Dealing with grief; and 3. Fostering true hope.
  8. Understand the radical nature of the New Covenant and the privilege of living in the "last days," participating in "the glories to follow…things into which angels long to look" (1 Pet 1:10-12).
  1. Conative: The student would be able:
  1. To use his/her assignments for teaching and discipleship in the local church and abroad.
  2. To learn how to inspire others to develop a "prophetic imagination" as a major part of their spiritual formation.
  3. To learn from testimonies of those who have been trained in these texts.

IV. Course Topics

  1. An introduction to the major issues concerning role of the prophets.
  2. Literary genre, historical background, and theology of prophets.
  3. Detailed exegesis of select passages within the prophets.
  4. A synthesis of the prophets with emphasis upon their theology and implications for today.

 

V. COURSE TEXTBOOKS

  1. Required:
  1. LaSor, W. S., Hubbard, D. A., and Bush F. W. Old Testament Survey, 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
  2. VanGemeren, Willem. Interpreting the Prophetic Word, Zondervan, 1996.
  3. Class notebook and notes: $30 payable to PBCC.
  1. Suggested:
  1. Walter Brueggemann, Hopeful Imagination, Prophetic Voices in Exile, Philadelphia: Fortress, 1987.
  2. Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination, Philadelphia: Fortress, 1978.
  3. Robert B. Chisholm Jr., Handbook on the Prophets, Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.
  4. J. P. Fokkelman, Reading Biblical Poetry, An Introductory Guide, Louisville: John Knox, 2001.
  5. Donald Gowan, Theology of the Prophetic Books: The Death and Resurrection of Israel, Louisville: Westminster, 1998.
  6. Abraham Heschel, The Prophets, First Perennial Classics ed., New York: Harper Collins, 2001.
  7. Eugene Peterson, Under the Unpredictable Plant, An Exploration in Vocational Holiness, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992.
  8. Rikki E. Watts, Isaiah’s New Exodus in Mark, Biblical Studies Library, Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001.
  9. Edward J. Young, My Servants the Prophets, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979.

VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Reading assignments (30 hours)

1. Bible – prayerfully read each of the biblical books from Isaiah through Malachi at a semi-mastery level (30 pages per hour). This is the most important requirement of the course. Do not rely on past readings, but read the prophets as if it was your first time reading them. For the minor prophets, read at one sitting. (15 hours)

2. General Background – Read LaSor and VanGemeren at a familiarity level (40-45 pages per hour) per class schedule. (5 hours)

3. Collateral Reading and Interactive Assignments – the student should read an additional 200 pages at a familiarity level for the research and writing assignments. For the research and theological papers, at least three critical commentaries should be consulted (see select bibliography). (10 hours)

B. Summary of Writing Assignments (30 hours)

1. Theological Paper – each student will write a four to five-page paper addressing one of the theological issues in the prophets. (8 hours)

2. Term Paper – each student will write a twelve-page term paper on one of the assigned prophets. The paper will include historical background, outline, theological issues in the book and its relevance for the church today. (16 hours) Each student will be required to present part of his/her term paper orally in class along with copies for each student.

3. Prophetic Prayer Journal – each student will keep a prayer journal documenting key verses in their reading of the prophets that "burn in their hearts" evoking confession, petition or devotion and those that shape one’s imagination and expectations for ministry in the age of the New Covenant. (The journal is included in the assigned reading hours).

4. Reflective Paper – from their "prophetic prayer journal" each student will write a reflective paper interacting with the whole scope of the prophets and a personal prophetic oracle. (6 hours)

C. Theological Paper: Choose a topic (or choose your own theme with approval) (4-5 pages)

1. The prophet as "watchman" and NT implications

2. Jesus’ use of Daniel’s "son of man"

3. Isaiah’s "servant of the Lord" and NT implications and application

4. The role of "justice" vs. "sacrifice" in the prophets and in the church

5. The prophets’ relationship to Moses; NT prophets

6. God’s "repentance"

7. The call of the prophet and "call" in the NT

8. The tension of God’s "judgment" with his covenantal "loyal-love" (hesed)

9. Jeremiah’s laments and our laments

10. "The Day of Yahweh" in Amos and the NT

11. Mark’s use of Isaiah’s "blind" and "deaf" imagery

D. Term Paper on one of the Prophetic Books (12 pages)

The student should apply principles learned from DBS 506 (Learning to Interpret Scripture) and the principles of studying used in this course. Appropriate sources must be used to validate interpretive issues (e.g. lexical resources for lexical issues). Copies of commentaries will not be provided. The student must footnote uses of all resources. Use the seminary library or internet resources.

1. Historical Background and Character of the Prophet (2 pgs)

Discuss what historical, political and spiritual issues we encounter in the book. Did the prophet have any prophetic colleagues or adversaries? Briefly discuss what sort of person this prophet may have been. Do we have any information on his personal life? Was he unique from other prophets?

2. Outline of the Book (1 pg)

Briefly set forth an outline that traces the development of the book, providing your own book title and section headings.

3. Theological Themes of the Book (4 pgs)

Set forth the prophet’s major theological concerns and how these themes develop. Be sensitive not just to "what" the prophet says, but "how" he says it. Highlight the different genres the prophet uses to communicate his message. How does the NT apply this prophetical book?

4. Exegete one Significant Passage (3 pgs)

Pick a "signature" passage from the book of the prophet (an 8 – 20 continuous verse passage) and exegete it. Be sensitive to literary features and historical background. What is the theology of this text? Does this text have any bearing on the life of Jesus or shape the ministry of the church?

5. Personal Application (2 pgs)

How did this prophet impact you?

 

E. Reflective Paper from the Prophetic Prayer Journal (6 hours)

1. Reflective paper (3 pages)

From his/her journal the student will compose a three-page reflective paper on how the prophets of Israel shape their expectations for life and ministry and their hopes for the future.

2. Personal Prophetic Oracle (1 page)

The student will then compose two personal prophetical oracles using the metaphors of the prophets. The first can be either a lament or "rib" based on the Spirit’s conviction, while the second will be an oracle of salvation giving voice to his/her longings and hopes.

VII. COURSE GRADING

This is a 2 unit course. In accordance with Seminary guidelines, the work outside of class would be two times class time: (2 hrs. x 15 weeks per semester) x 2 is approximately 60 hrs.

Grade % Time

1. Reading & "Prophetic Journal"

20%

30 hrs

2. Theological paper

20%

8 hrs

3. Term paper

40%

16 hrs

4. Reflective paper from "Prophetic journal"

20%

6 hrs

Total

100%

60 hrs

VIII. COURSE POLICIES

A. Late Papers:

LATE PAPERS WILL BE REDUCED ONE LETTER GRADE PER WEEK unless a valid excuse is provided. All papers are due at the beginning of class.

B. Attendance:

Attendance will be taken each week. ONE Unexcused absence is permitted. Any unexcused absence beyond one may decrease the COURSE GRADE by ONE FULL GRADE. It is the responsibility of each student to obtain any missed handouts or assignment instructions from other students. It is the responsibility of each student to obtain any missed lecture material from other students.

 

C. Written Form of Papers

Papers must be written to a near-thesis standard. That is, minimum format standards must be met, as defined below. English grammar, idiom and spelling must be up to graduate level. Provide a conclusion paragraph. Qualities valued include clarity, conciseness, comprehensiveness, cohesiveness, and correctness. You must not write more than the assigned pages.

All written assignments should be typed and include a title page with your name and box number on it. Please follow the specified form. Papers should be written in accordance with Turabian.

10% of the grades on the typed papers will be Form, that is, conformity to the above standards. (Our purpose is to motivate all Western Seminary students to present work that consistently looks as good as its contents is.)

All work must reflect Master’s Level use of the English Language. Plagiarism will result in failure of the first assignment so discovered. A second instance will result in failure in the course.

IX. COURSE SCHEDULE

Fall Semester, 2004

(Assigned readings are to be done before class session)

DATE

TOPICS

ASSIGNMENTS DUE

 

1. Sept 25

Introduction to the prophets

Pre-exilic early: The Assyrian threat

Amos, Hosea, Micah

 

 

2. Oct 9

 

 

 

 

Pre-exilic early: The Assyrian threat

Jonah, Isaiah, Joel

Pre-exilic late: The Assyrian and Babylonian threat

Nahum, Zephaniah
  • LaSor, pgs. 276-312
  • Jonah
  • Isaiah, Joel
  • Nahum, Zephaniah

 

 

3. Oct 23

Pre-exilic late: The Assyrian and Babylonian threat

Jeremiah, Lamentations, Habakkuk
  • LaSor pgs. 328-355
  • Jeremiah, Lamentations
  • Habakkuk
  • DUE: Theological paper

 

4. Nov 6

 

 

 

Exilic: Babylon

Ezekiel
  • LaSor pgs. 356-369
  • Ezekiel, Isaiah 40-55

 

5. Nov 20

 

 

 

Post-exilic: Persia

Daniel, Obadiah
  • LaSor pgs. 566-584
  • Daniel, Obadiah
  • Isaiah 56-66
  • DUE: Term paper

 

 

6. Dec 11

Post-exilic: Persia

Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
  • LaSor pgs. 390-422
  • Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
  • DUE: Prophetic prayer journal and paper