Content

This unit will engage in a critical study of the prophetic literature of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. It will examine the prophetic writings against their varied historical, social, political and religious contexts, and will also explore critical issues associated with their interpretation. The unit examines the major theological and ethical themes of the prophetic writings and critically evaluates their contemporary relevance. Special attention is given to a select collection of prophetic texts. The course aims to further develop exegetical and interpretive competence through the critical and creative application of historical, literary, socio-cultural, and ideological methods of analysis to a range of prophetic texts.

Unit code: BA9030P

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate an understanding of the distinctive writings of the biblical prophets from the pre-exilic, exilic and post-exilic periods

2.

Demonstrate an understanding of critical issues associated with the interpretation of prophetic literature

3.

Discuss the contextual nature of prophecy in the social, political and religious life of Israel

4.

Discuss major theological and ethical themes in the prophetic literature and critically evaluate their contemporary relevance.

5.

Demonstrate advanced skills in Old Testament critical method through exegesis and interpretation of various prophetic texts

6.

Demonstrate self-guided learning, including research, writing and communication

Unit sequence

15 Points of Biblical Studies

Pedagogy

Lectures; Exercises; Seminars; Tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Brenner, A. Prophets and Daniel: A Feminist Companion to the Bible. London: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001.
  • Brueggemann, W. Like Fire in the Bones: Listening for the Prophetic Word in Jeremiah.Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 2006.
  • Conrad, E. W. Reading the Latter Prophets: Toward a New Canonical Criticism. New York, NY: T & T Clark, 2003.
  • de Moor, J. C. (Ed.). The Elusive Prophet: The Prophet as a Historical Person, Literary Character and Anonymous Artist. Leiden: Brill, 2001.
  • Floyd, M. H., & Haak, R. D. (Eds.). Prophets, Prophecy and Prophetic Texts in Second Temple Judaism. New York, NY: T. & T. Clark, 2006. (recommended for purchase)
  • Nissinen, M. Prophets and Prophecy in the ancient Near East. Atlanta, GA: Society for Biblical Literature, 2003.
  • O’Brien, J. M. Challenging Prophetic Metaphor: Theology and Ideology in the prophets. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2008. (recommended for purchase)
  • Redditt, P. Introduction to the Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008. (recommended for purchase)
  • Seitz, C. R. Prophecy and Hermeneutics: Toward a New Introduction to the Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegetical Essay

Exegetical Essay – 2500 Words

0 40.0
Book Review

Structural Analysis of a Prophetic Book – 1000 Words

0 20.0
Essay

Essay exploring a theme in one of the Minor Prophets – 2500 Words

0 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2014

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-04 13:36:38 +1100