Winter 2009
FSW – Las Vegas
OT502
Moore

DESCRIPTION: This course will examine the Former Prophets and the Latter Prophets in the Old Testament (i.e., the historical books from Joshua to Kings and the prophetic books from Isaiah to Malachi), focusing attention on the historical, literary, canonical, and theological aspects of this portion of Scripture.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have learned how to interpret and understand the literary and historical features of the Prophets. In addition, they will see more clearly the nature of the Bible as both human word and holy Scripture, they will learn how to use this portion of the Bible in their ministries, and they will move towards a deeper obedience to Scripture in their personal lives.
 
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: While the preacher brings God’s Word to the people, the seminary teacher has the prior obligation of bringing ministerial students to the Bible, the sacred document in which the revelation of the being and will of God is anchored in ancient history, literature and culture. Students who complete this course will better understand that this portion of the Bible discloses God’s being as both Creator and Redeemer: creating and re-creating a community out of political, social, and spiritual chaos; and redeeming its penitent remnants from sin and misery.  They will understand better that divine sovereignty and human need are the two poles between which God’s prophets (still) operate.
 
COURSE FORMAT: Four weekends will provide 30 hours of in-class contact. Class time will be devoted to exegesis, lecture, creative participation exercises, DVD illustration, and group discussion.
 
REQUIRED READING:
• The Bible. “Joshua-2 Kings; Isaiah-Ezekiel; Book of the Twelve.”
• Gowan, Donald. Theology of the Prophetic Books: The Death and Resurrection of Israel. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1998. [250 pp.] ISBN 0664256899.
• Jonaitis, Dorothy. Unmasking Apocalyptic Texts: A Guide to Preaching and Teaching. New York: 
Paulist, 2005. [198 pp.] ISBN: 0809143569.
• Moore, Michael. Faith Under Pressure: A Study of Biblical Leaders in Conflict. Siloam Springs: 
Leafwood Publishers. [360 pp.] ISBN: 0971428913.
• Wilson, Robert R. Prophecy and Society in Ancient Israel. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1980. [313 pp.]
ISBN: 0800618149.
 
ASSIGNMENTS:
1.     Abstracts of Assigned Readings (5 pp.). 25%
2.     Exegetical Term Paper (12-15 pp.). 40%
3.     Final Exam (7.5 pp.). 35%
 
PREREQUISITES: None.
 
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: MDiv.: OTB; MAT: OT/OTB; MACL: OT/OTB
 
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.