Assessment

Formative essay 25% + Tutorials 15% + Exam 60%

Module Aims

This module aims to introduce theology learners to the content and interpretation of the Old Testament prophets, as a basis for personal reflection and for future ministerial teaching and preaching. Attention is given to the complex historical background of the prophets, their rhetorical use of poetic techniques, their challenging preaching, and the ways that Christians have seen Jesus foreshadowed in their writings. Indeed, New Testament texts such as John’s Gospel (SC241) and the Letters of Paul (SC243) cannot be well understood without familiarity with and comprehension of the biblical prophets. Skills from interpreting the prophets are also applicable to other texts from the Old Testament such as the Wisdom Literature and Psalms (SC331), and the module provides learners with resources for Preaching and Presiding (LI202 and LI301).

Indicative syllabus:

• Israelite prophecy within its historical and literary context
• Early Israelite prophets Samuel and Elijah
• Prophetic quest for justice in Amos
• Prophecy and the Davidic dynasty in Isaiah of Jerusalem
• Messianic prophecies in the New Testament and the Advent and Lent lectionary
• Jeremiah and the fall of Jerusalem
• Exilic prophets Ezekiel and Second-Isaiah
• Postexilic prophets Haggai and Third-Isaiah
• The prophetic tale of Jonah
• Prophecy and apocalyptic in Daniel

Learning Outcomes

• — Explain the main features of the historical background of selected prophets and their rhetorical use of poetic techniques, and describe how Christian tradition has seen Jesus foreshadowed in key passages within their writings.
• — Articulate an interpretation of major prophetic texts within their historical, socioeconomic, political and religious contexts, and explain the significance of selected Isaiah readings within the New Testament and the Advent and Lent lectionary.
• — Suggest ways in which the prophetic literature continues to be significant in the quest for social justice, the life of faith, and the experience of Christian ministry.
• — Trace some of the diverse treatments of major theological motifs (e.g., holiness, justice, political responsibility, messianism) across several different texts.
• — Express some of the ways in which the prophets respond to the sufferings of their people (e.g., just before and during the Babylonian exile), and propose ways in which the prophetic books offer insights into the ancient and modern human search for God’s vision for individuals and society.
• — Demonstrate a prudent judgment regarding the diverse interpretations proposed for key disputed texts within the various prophetic writings.

Bibliography

• — Barton, J., Theology of the Book of Amos. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. [224.806 BAR]
• — Bellinger, W. H., and W. R. Farmer, eds., Jesus and the Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 & Christian Origins. Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2009. [224.1064]
• — Boadt, L., Reading the Old Testament. 2nd ed. New York: Paulist, 2012. [221.61 BOA]
• — Brettler M. Z., How to Read the Bible. Philadelphia: JPSA, 2005. [Ebook]
• — Brueggemann, W., A Social Reading of the Old Testament: Prophetic Approaches to Israel’s Communal Life. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1994. [221.6 BRU]
• — Brueggemann, W., The Prophetic Imagination. 2nd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001. [221.15 BRU]
• — Carvalho, C., Reading Jeremiah: A Literary and Theological Commentary. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2016. [224.207 CAR]
• — Childs, B. S., Isaiah. OTL. Louisville: John Knox, 2001. [224.1077 CHI]
• — Collins, J. J., Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004. [220.44 COL]
• — Cook, J. E., Hear, O Heavens and Listen, O Earth: An Introduction to the Prophets. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2006. [Ebook]
• — Dempsey, C. J., Isaiah: God’s Poet of Light. St Louis: Chalice, 2010. [224.107 DEM]
• — Dempsey, C. J., Jeremiah: Preacher of Grace, Poet of Truth. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2007. [224.2092 DEM]
• — Duggan, M. The Consuming Fire: A Christian Guide to the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2010. [221.6 DUG]
• — Fretheim, T. E., Jeremiah. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2002. [224.2077 FRE]
• — Marlow, H., Biblical Prophets and Contemporary Environmental Ethics: Re-Reading Amos, Hosea and First Isaiah. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. [261.88 MAR]
• — McKenzie, S., How to Read the Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. [Ebook]
• — Nogalski, J. D., Introduction to the Hebrew Prophets. Nashville: Abingdon, 2018. [Ebook]
• — O’Connor, K. M., Jeremiah: Pain and Promise. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2011. [224.206 OCO]
• — Redditt, P. L., Introduction to the Prophets. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008. [224.061 RED]
• — Sawyer, J. F. A., The Fifth Gospel: Isaiah in the History of Christianity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. [224.106 SAW]
• — Sweeney, M. A., Prophetic Literature. Nashville: Abingdon, 2005. [224.061 SWE]