The Prophetic Literature (BA9300C)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit will examine the phenomenon of Israelite prophecy set in its ancient Near Eastern context. The historical setting of the message of individual prophets will be considered and their theology examined. Emphasis will be given to texts taken from the prophecies of Amos and Hosea. Also, a selection of texts from Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel will be considered.

Unit code: BA9300C

Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the political, social and religious conditions in the ancient Near East and in ancient Israel that facilitated the growth of the prophetic movement.
2.

Undertake independent self-directed and reliable research in the prophetic literature.
3.

Describe and analyse the principal literary forms and modes of expression used in the prophetic literature.
4.

Apply critically a range of standard biblical methodologies to selected prophetic texts.
5.

Outline the message of each of the Prophets studied and the key themes of their works.
6.

Offer a credible interpretation of prophetic texts for today.

Unit sequence

BA8001C and BN8001C or equivalent introductory biblical units.

Pedagogy

Each three-hour session consists of two hours of interactive lectures and one hour of report (in each case, presented in modes appropriate for face-to-face or online learning contexts).

Indicative Bibliography

  • Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Isaiah 40–55. AB 19A. New York: Doubleday, 2002.
  • Block, Daniel. The Book of Ezekiel: Chapters 25–48. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.
  • Holladay, William L. Jeremiah 1 and 2: A Commentary on the Book of Jeremiah. Edited by Paul D. Hanson. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1986, 1989.
  • Kratz, Reinhard G. The Prophets of Israel. Critical Studies in the Hebrew Bible 2. Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2015. (EBook available.)
  • Lundbom, Jack R. The Hebrew Prophets: An Introduction. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2010.
  • Nogalski, J. D. Interpreting Prophetic Literature: Historical and Exegetical Tools for Reading the Prophets. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2015.
  • Nissinen, M. Prophetic Divination: Collected Essays in Ancient Near Eastern Prophecy. BZAW 494. Berlin: de Gruyter, 2019.
  • Sharp, C. J., ed. The Oxford Handbook of the Prophets. New York: Oxford University Press, 2016.
  • Seitz, C. R. Prophecy and Hermeneutics: Toward a New Introduction to the Prophets. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007.
  • Sweeney, Marvin A. The Prophetic Literature. Nashville: Abingdon, 2005.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Report

1,500-word report

 1500 15.0
Report

1,500 word report

 1500 15.0
Report

2,500-word report

 2500 35.0
Investigation

2,000-word investigation

 2000 35.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 17 May, 2024

Unit record last updated: 2024-05-17 09:23:58 +1000