St. Bernard’s School of Theology and MinistryPRIVATE
D. N. Premnath
Course Description: A systemic study of the oracles of the shorter prophetic writings in the overall context of the prophetic movement in ancient Israel. Focus on key texts. Contemporary relevance of prophetic function and message.
Course Objectives: The course would aim at
· enabling the student to gain knowledge of an overview of the prophetic movement and how the Minor prophets fit into that broader framework; content and message of the prophets.
· enabling the student to gain familiarity with tools and skills for understanding and interpreting the biblical texts;
· exploring the contemporary significance of the message of the prophets;
Learning Outcomes: The student will be able to
Ø gain an overview of the history of the prophetic movement (demonstrated through take-home quiz);
Ø Identify and summarize the literary content, history and theological themes of the shorter prophetic writings (demonstrated through the class presentation);
Ø Exegete biblical texts using critical tools of study (demonstrated through the final paper) and
Ø Find concrete ways of relating biblical texts to contemporary situations and issues (demonstrated through papers and class presentations).
Format: Seminar-Discussion
Required Texts:
Bruce Birch, Hosea, Joel and Amos. Westminster Bible Commentary, 1997.
William Brown, Obadiah through Malachi. Westminster Bible Commentary, 1996.
Ralph Smith, Micah – Malachi, Word Bible Themes, 1990.
Douglas Stuart, Hosea – Jonah, Word Bible Themes, 1989.
Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination, 2nd.ed., 2001.
Grading Procedure:
§ 3 Short papers (7 pages) on assigned topics
or
§ PRIVATE 1 Major exegetical paper (20 pages) 50%
§ Class presentation 20%
§ Take-home quiz (on the history of Prophecy) 15%tc \l 1 " 1 Major exegetical paper (20 pages) 75%"
§ Class attendance and participation 15%
Note: Due to unforeseen emergency circumstances one may miss a session without having to do compensatory work. If you miss more than one session additional work would be required. Non-compliance with this requirement would result in losing grade points.
Paper 1: The meaning and origin of the concept of the Day of Yahweh and its use in one of the prophets under study due Feb 22.
Paper 2: Homily using a passage from the minor prophets due March 22.
Paper 3: Review of Brueggemann’s The Prophetic Imagination due April 26.
OR
Exegesis of a text from the Minor Prophets (20 pages)
Proposal Due Feb 22
Final Paper Due April 26
Course Outline:
Jan 18 Introduction to Prophecy; Beginnings of prophecy in Israel.
Readings: Wilson 1-88.
Jan 25 Prophetic speech; Prophecy and Monarchy; Early Prophecy
Readings: Cross 219-241
I Kings 17 - 2 Kings 4
Feb 1 Social History
Semeia 37: 53-76
Feb 8 8th Century Prophecy: Amos
Readings: Birch 165-259; Stuart 63-87
Read Amos
Feb 15 8th Century Propehcy: Hosea
Readings: Birch 7-121; Stuart 9-44
Read Hosea
Feb 22 8th Century Prophecy: Micah
Readings: Brown 31-66; Smith 7-20
Read Micah
March 1 Transitional period: Nahum, Zephaniah and Habakkuk
Readings: Brown 69-117; Smith 21-55
Read Nahum, Zephaniah and Habakkuk
March 8 Rebuilding period: Haggai and Zechariah
Readings: Brown 121-188; Smith 56-83
Read Haggai and Zechariah
March 15 Restoration period: Joel, Malachi and Obadiah
Readings: Birch 125-162; Brown 7-14; 191-205
Smith 84-110; Stuart 45-62; 89-94
Read Joel, Malachi and Obadiah
March 22 Colonial period: Jonah
PRIVATE Readings: Brown 17-28; Stuart 95-107tc \l 1 " Readings\: Blenkinsopp, 268-280"
Read Jonah
March 29 Theology of the Prophets: Student Presentations
April 12 Theology of the Prophets: Student Presentations
April 19 Role of Prophetic Imagination
Reading: Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination.
Achtemeier, E. Preaching from the Minor Prophets. Eerdmans, 1998.
Birch, B. Hosea, Joel and Amos. Westminster John Knox, 1997.
Blenkinsopp, J. A History of Prophecy in Ancient Israel. 2nd ed. Westminster, 1996.
Brown, W. Obadiah through Malachi. Westminster John Knox, 1996.
Brueggemann, W. The Prophetic Imagination. Fortress, 1978.
Cross, F. M. Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic. Harvard Univ. Press, 1973.
Floyd, M. Minor Prophets/Part 2. Eerdmans, 2000.
House, P. The Unity of the Twelve, Almond Press, 1990.
Semeia Vol. 37, 1986.
Smith, R. Micah - Malachi. Word Publishing Co., 1990.
Stuart, D. Hosea – Jonah. Word Publishing Co., 1989.
Wilson, R. R. Prophecy and Society in Ancient Israel. Fortress, 1984.
*Other items will be added throughout the course.