LIBERTY UNIVERSITY THE USE OF APOLOGETICS IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO DR. RANDALL PRICE AND COMMITTEE IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PHD IN THEOLOGY AND APOLOGETICS LIBERTY UNIVERSITY RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY BY DANIEL SLOAN LYNCHBURG, VA Copyright © 2020 by Daniel R. Sloan All Rights Reserved ii LIBERTY UNIVERSITY RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY DISSERTATION APPROVAL SHEET ___________________________ J. RANDALL PRICE Ph.D. CHAIR ________________________ EDWARD E. HINDSON Th.D. FIRST READER _______________________ MARK ALLEN Ph.D. SECOND READER iii ABSTRACT Isaiah used apologetics in three distinct areas: Yahweh’s creation and sovereign control (Past), Yahweh’s divine intervention in delivering Judah (present) and Yahweh as the controller of the future (Immediate, Exilic, Messianic and eschatological) to argue that Yahweh was the one true God, unique and superior to all pagan deities, to both his contemporary audience and to future generations. In chapter one, the research questions are addressed, a literary review is presented, and the methodology of the dissertation is given. In chapter two, the dissertation addresses how the book of Isaiah argues apologetically that Yahweh is the Creator and therefore is incomparable. In chapter three, the dissertation presents how the book of Isaiah argues apologetically that Yahweh’s ability to divinely intervene in history shows His incomparability. In chapter four, the dissertation addresses how the book of Isaiah argues apologetically that Yahweh can know and predict the future and therefore is incomparable. A conclusion is given in which the theological and apologetic implications are addressed and further areas of research is identified. Finally, two appendixes address authorship of the book and the develop of monotheism in the Old Testament. iv DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my amazing wife Natalie and my family who has supported me throughout my educational career, my spiritual family at Safe Harbor Community Church who have been so supportive throughout this process and to all my professors at Liberty University, especially Dr. Ed Hindson and Dr. Randall Price, who have played such a prominent role in my educational development. v Contents ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................ iv DEDICATION............................................................................................................................................. v Chapter 1: Introduction, Literary Review and Research Questions...................................................... 1 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................................................ 1 Survey of Research ................................................................................................................................. 2 Creation Studies in Isaiah ..................................................................................................................... 2 Prophets/Prophecy ................................................................................................................................ 6 Divine Incomparibility/Polemic Research in Isaiah ........................................................................... 17 Apologetic/ Methodological Research ................................................................................................ 23 Need for the Current Study ................................................................................................................. 30 Research Questions ............................................................................................................................... 31 Thesis Statement ................................................................................................................................... 31 Key Definitions/Concepts ..................................................................................................................... 31 Definition and Purpose of Apologetics ............................................................................................... 31 Role of the Prophet ............................................................................................................................. 32 Authorship of Isaiah ............................................................................................................................ 34 Methodology .......................................................................................................................................... 38 Limitations/Presuppositions ................................................................................................................ 38 Approach to Exegesis/Apologetic Significance .................................................................................. 40 Chapter Two: Yahweh as Creator in the Book of Isaiah ...................................................................... 42 Yahweh as the Creator ......................................................................................................................... 42 Isaiah 27:1 ........................................................................................................................................... 42 Apologetic Significance ...................................................................................................................... 48 Isaiah 40-44:25 .................................................................................................................................... 48 Apologetical Significance of Isaiah 40, 42 ......................................................................................... 67 Idols/False Gods as Created ................................................................................................................. 68 Isaiah 44:6-20 ...................................................................................................................................... 68 Did Isaiah Misunderstand Paganism? ................................................................................................. 75 Apologetical Significance of Isaiah 44:6-20 ....................................................................................... 76 Chapter Three: Yahweh’s Divine Intervention in the Book of Isaiah ................................................. 78 Isaiah 36-38 ............................................................................................................................................. 78 Isaiah 38 ............................................................................................................................................. 81 vi Isaiah 36 ............................................................................................................................................. 87 Isaiah 37 ........................................................................................................................................... 100 Apologetic Significance ................................................................................................................... 118 Idolatry’s Failure in Divine Intervention: Isaiah 46:1-7 ....................................................................... 121 Apologetic Significance ................................................................................................................... 126 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 127 Chapter 4: Predictive Prophecy in the Book of Isaiah ........................................................................ 128 The Idols cannot predict the future, but Yahweh Can .......................................................................... 128 Isaiah 41:21-29 ................................................................................................................................ 128 Isaiah 44:6-8 .................................................................................................................................... 135 Apologetic Significance ................................................................................................................... 138 The Assyrian Invasion and the Babylonian Exile (Immediate Future) ................................................. 138 Isaiah 5 ............................................................................................................................................. 139 Isaiah 6:9-13 .................................................................................................................................... 146 Isaiah 39 ........................................................................................................................................... 149 Apologetic Significance ................................................................................................................... 154 The Destruction of Babylon and The Coming of Cyrus (Exilic) .......................................................... 154 Isaiah 13 ........................................................................................................................................... 154 Isaiah 44:24-28 ...............................................................................................................................