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Dr. Kenneth G. Hanna, BE104HO Old Testament Prophets, 3 hours 6000 Dale Carnegie Lane (713) 917-3900 Fall 2014 Dallas Theological Seminary, Houston, Texas. Tuesday, 1:15-4:00 p.m. E-mail- [email protected] Aug 26 through Dec 9, except Nov 18, 25 OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS: SYLLABUS I. COURSE DESCRIPTION An exposition of the pre-exilic, exilic and post-exilic writing prophets (Isaiah through Malachi), excluding Jonah, but including Lamentations. Prerequisite or co-requisite: BE 103 Old Testament History II and Poetry. 3 hours II. COURSE OBJECTIVES As a result of personal research, class lectures, examinations, discussion and group interaction the student should expect to achieve the following results: A. Cognitive 1. Know the central message of each book and how the author develops that message. 2. Be able to identify the distinctive features and significant issues or problems associated with each prophetic book. 3. Be familiar with the predictive element in the prophets, including their contribution to the New Testament and to our knowledge of that which is yet future (eschatology). 4. Grasp the significance of the prophet as a preacher and reformer in his own day. 5. Understand how the prophet both reflected his social and historical context and how he impacted immediate and subsequent history. B. Affective 1. Become more proficient in applying Bible study methods and principles of interpretation to the text of the Old Testament. 2. Increase proficiency in the preparation of expository messages drawn from these books. 3. Cultivate an interest in and an excitement toward the further study of these books for both academic and personal purposes. 4. Personally experience the empowering and life shaping force of these Old Testament books. 5. Be better able to understand and confront your contemporary culture from a biblical perspective. 6. Be motivated to function as an authentic servant of God to the present generation, sensing the high calling of a servant of God and the potential impact of a ministry on today’s world. III. COURSE TEXTBOOKS A. Required Hanna, Kenneth G. From Moses to Malachi: Exploring the Old Testament. Bloomington, IN: Crossbooks Publishing, 2012; Second edition, 2014. Gary V. Smith. The Prophets as Preachers. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman, 1994. B. Suggested Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Rev. ed. Chicago: Moody Press, 2007. Hill, Andrew E., and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2009. Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck, Eds. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985; reprint, Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1996. Wood, Leon J. The Prophets of Israel. Reprint. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2001. BE104HO; Old Testament Prophets 2 Fall, 2014 IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS A. Reading Assignments (30 % of the final grade) All reading assignments are to be completed as scheduled and recorded on the attached reading report. This report is to be turned in on Tuesday December 9. Reading of the biblical text itself will account for 15 % of the final grade. The reading of the appropriate sections of the required textbooks will account for the additional 15 %. Failure to read at least 80 % of the biblical text will result in a grade reduction of one letter grade. 1. Biblical Text. The purpose of this assignment is to provide the student with a first hand knowledge of the content of these Old Testament Prophetic books. This should be the most significant learning opportunity this course affords. Each of the books of Isaiah through Malachi is to be read as scheduled during the current semester. Reading should be done in any of the following translations, NIV, NASB, ESV, NKJV or KJV. Students whose first language is other than English may read the Bible books in their first language. Students should devote blocks of time to focused, thoughtful Bible reading. Shorter books should be read at one sitting. All reading must be completed prior to the class in which that book is studied. 2. The Prophets as Preachers by Gary V. Smith. The section on each prophet is to be read prior to the class in which that prophet is to be studied. The entire book must be read by December 9. 3. From Moses to Malachi by the instructor. The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize the student with the introductory issues and prepare for the study of the central message of each book. The section relating to each prophet must be read prior to the study of that book in class. B. Written Assignments. (50 % of the final grade) All students must complete two written assignments. All students must complete assignment # 1 to fulfill the competency standard for geographical knowledge. The second written assignment may be either a research/analysis paper chosen from the list of topics (assignment #2) or a ministry project (assignment #3). A STATEMENT REGARDING GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE FOR INCLUSION IN ALL BE104 SYLLABI One of the competencies that the Bible Exposition Department wants you to master is the ability to identify certain geographical sites in the ancient Near East and to explain why each one is significant for Bible study. These sites include the regions, countries, cities, towns, bodies of water, and significant routes specified below. This is the basic minimum requirement. However, a given professor in the Bible Exposition Department may ask you to include additional data. He will also specify the form you should use when you produce this assignment: create an original map, fill in an existing map, prepare the material on Power Point or transparencies, etc. Minimal geographical knowledge: (1) regions (Fertile Crescent, Shephelah, Cis-Jordan, Trans-Jordan, Mesopotamia, Jezreel Valley, Carmel Range, Rift Valley, Coastal Plain, Anatolia, Arabah, Negev, Central Mountain Range), (2) countries (Israel [incl. Divided Kingdom], Ammon, Edom, Moab, Assyria, Babylon, Aram [Syria], Persia, Egypt, Philistia), (3) cities/towns (Babylon, Nineveh, Jerusalem, Samaria, Megiddo, Shiloh, Bethel, Dan, Jericho, Ur [traditional], Philistine pentapolis, Damascus, Tyre and Sidon, Susa), (4) bodies of water (Mediterranean Sea, Jordan River, Dead Sea, Tigris River, Euphrates River, Nile River, Wadi El-Arish, Red Sea, Sea of Galilee), and (5) significant routes (Great Trunk Road [a.k.a. Via Maris, Way of the Sea, International Coastal Highway], The Kings’ Highway, The Ridge Route [a.k.a. The Way of the Patriarchs]). BE104HO; Old Testament Prophets 3 Fall, 2014 1. Geographical/Exposition Study: (30 % of the final grade). Due November 11. Present a series of 3-5 maps (which may be photocopied, scanned, or downloaded) and develop accompanying explanations to assist in the study of the Old Testament Prophets. However the maps are produced they should include the geographical features listed in (1) through (5). For example, one map might include both the topography/regions listed in (1) and the bodies of water (4). One map might include the countries relating to Israel and Judah as listed in (2), the main cities/towns listed in (3), or trade routes of ancient Canaan (5). One map might include strategic events addressed by the prophets. Maps do not have to be original but each map taken from a source should be properly footnoted. Representative maps are available on the course website. A page describing the information that is being presented on that map and describing how knowledge of such information helps one in understanding the Scriptures should accompany each map. Specific examples from the prophets should be included to show how this information can help one understand information in the prophets. The following web site may be of help in finding maps to complete this assignment: http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=2055 Excellent maps are also available on Logos and in the ESV Study Bible online for those who have purchased a copy of the ESV. Students are encouraged to purchase one atlas from the following selective bibliography. Beitzel, Barry J. The New Moody Atlas of the Bible. Chicago: Moody Press, 2009 Beitzel, Barry J. Consultant. Biblica: the Bible Atlas. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s, 2008. Brisco, Thomas V. Holman Bible Atlas. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1998. Curtis, Adrian. Oxford Bible Atlas. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007. Dowley, Tim. The Kregel Bible Atlas. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2003. Pfeiffer, Charles F. Baker’s Bible Atlas. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2005. Pritchard, James and Nick Page, Eds. HarperCollins Atlas of Bible History. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. Choose one of the following two options for the second written assignment (20 % of grade) 2. Biblical research, analysis, interpretation and application To provide an opportunity to develop skill in interpreting and applying Scripture, students may complete one paper from the following list of topics. This paper must be submitted in hard copy and be seven to ten pages in length. It must be typed, double-spaced and include both footnotes and a bibliography. First, conduct a thorough analysis of the Scripture passages and formulate your personal conclusions. Once this is done the use of commentaries and other reference materials is essential. Students should consult at least five sources in the preparation of this assignment. Quotations and sources must be documented. Papers will be due at class time as scheduled. Late papers will be reduced by one percentage point for each day it is late. All assignments are due on the date specified 1. Peter invokes the prophecy of Joel to explain the advent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2. Identify the differing interpretations of how Pentecost does or does not fulfill Joel’s prophecy. State, explain and defend your own view. How does Pentecost relate to the remainder of Joel’s prophecy and to that which is yet future? Due September 2.