OT3351-011David L. Ricci

MAJOR PROPHETS

COURSE SYLLABUS

Zion Bible College

OT3351-01- 3 Credits

Spring 2011

Wednesdays, 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM – Classroom Bldg. 206

Thursdays, 9:00 AM – 10:50 AM – Classroom Bldg. 206

David L. Ricci, MAOT, Assistant Professor

Office: Classroom Bldg. 211

Office Phone: 978.478.3458

E-mail:

Tuesdays, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM; 3:45 – 4:15 PM

Wednesdays, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM

Thursdays, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM

Zion’s mission is to teach and train students for Excellent Pentecostal ministry, in fulfillment of the Great Commission.

COURSE DESCRIPTON:

This course examines the ministry and writings of the Major Prophets—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.The political, social, and religious background of these books is explored to provide context for a proper understanding of each prophet’s message. In addition, chronology, the role and function of the Hebrew prophet and the relevance of the prophetic literature to Christian living are examined. Special attention is also given to Messianic themes and their New Testament fulfillment in Jesus Christ and his kingdom.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The student will:

  1. Acquire a historical, cultural, geopolitical, exegetical, and theological framework from which the Major Prophets can be understood.
  2. Gain an appreciation of Ancient Near Eastern background and archaeology through the lectures and by watching and reporting on a selected DVD
  3. Achieve a basic understanding of the content, context, style, and theology of the Major Prophets.
  4. Accomplish a major exegetical paper.
  5. Recognize the interrelatedness of the Major Prophets to the rest of Christian Scripture.
  6. Be prepared to incorporate the Major Prophets in daily thinking, living, and preaching.

TEXTBOOKS:

The Holy Bible. Suggested Bible Translations: NASB, ESV, NKJ, NIV, NLT

Chisholm, Robert B. Jr. Handbook on the Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: BakerAcademic, 2002.

REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Examinations: There will be three examinations of roughly equal length.
  1. Introduction and Isaiah
  2. Jeremiah/Lamentations (takes place of midterm)
  3. Ezekiel and Daniel (Final Exam)
  1. Quizzes: There will be 1 or 2 quizzes
  1. Scripture Reading: Scripture Reading: Students will be required to read the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel (ca. 265 pages) during the time period designated for this course, i.e., by the exam. Reading a given book pastits test date will not be accepted. A verification question will be provided on each exam. Reading is all or nothing; a student will either receive 100% or 0% for a given biblical book or textbook assignment.
  1. Text Book: Students will be required to read the relevant section on the Major Prophets in Chisholm (ca. 285 pages). The above stipulation regarding completion time applies. Again, a verification question will be provided on each exam.
  1. Additional Reading: Students must read a minimum of 50 additional pages for the exegesis paper. The due date is the same as the paper’s is. The student will attach a special, abbreviated bibliography to their paper as the last, non-numbered page indicating the amount of reading accomplished from each source. The student will also add the pages and give the total amount. Failure to read at least the minimum required pages or to provide bibliographic verification will impact the paper’s grade by 10 pts.
  1. Assignments:
  2. Exegetical Paper: Write a 10-12-page paper (body only) from a passage in the Major Prophets, following the exegetical procedure below, and closely approximating the suggested length for the section coverage. There should also be interaction with at least 8-10 scholarly sources, appropriately footnoted. A choice of five texts will be offered to the student, one from each of the books covered in the course. To assist the student, there are two stages of the paper’s due date: 1) text selected & Sources Consulted page(s) tentatively completed (according to Turabian). A student may add books/sources without notification after the sources component is passed in; 2) the final draft. The exegetical procedure below will be explained several times in class, and there will be a handout guide. Finally, sample copies of good papers will be available per request. Below is a guide for basic format and approximate section length:
  3. Translation – 1 page
  4. Historical Context – 1-2 pages
  • Historical Background (including date)
  • Historical Foreground

3. Literary Context – 1-1 ½ pages

  • Authorship
  • Canon
  • Book
  • Section
  • Immediate context

4. Lexical Data – 1 ½-2 pages (minimum of three words)

5. Biblical Context – 1-2 pages

  • Old Testament
  • New Testament

6. Theology – 1-2 pages

  1. Application – 1-1 ½ pages
  2. Sources Consulted – 1 page (approx.)
  1. DVD Reports: There will be a DVD report; the particulars will be discussed in class. Among the possible selections are:
  2. Biblical Archaeology From the Ground Down (Part I)
  3. The Archeology of Jerusalem: From David to Jesus (Part I)
  4. From Babylon to Baghdad (Part I)
  • Attendance: Attendance is required for the DVD viewing as for a test; the only exceptions are those four stipulated above under “Paper Due Date Grading.”

GRADING PROCEDURES:

Intro. & Isaiah Test……………………..20%

Jeremiah/Lamentations Test……………15%

Final Exam…………………………...... 25%

Quizzes………………………………….5%

Exegetical Paper………………………..20%

DVD Discussions & Reports (TBD)…....5 %

Reading…………………………………10%

POLICIES

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class periods. Please be aware that absences are granted for illness, personal matters, or for emergencies. It is important for students to keep track of their own absences and late arrivals carefully. Please see the Student Handbook for the Absence Policy. There will be a very short break mid-class, students are expected to remain in class at other times except for medical reasons.

If a student arrives late to class it is their responsibility to inform the teacher after class that they are present. Otherwise they may be marked absent for the class. It is a good idea to date your notes each class in case attendance discrepancies should arise.

In order to be considered present in class, students must present themselves in an appropriate manner, following the guidelines of the Student Handbook.

Examinations: Any missed exam may be made up if the exam was missed due to illness or other excused absence (see Student Handbook). A make-up exam will also be allowed if the circumstances are urgent and approved by the instructor prior to the exam.

Plagiarism: A student who submits written material as his/her own work which has been copied in whole or in part from another person’s work without acknowledgement is guilty of plagiarism. Material, whether published or unpublished, copied from anotherwriter, must be identified by the use of quotation marks and documentation with specific citation of the source. Paraphrased material must likewise be attributed to the origin author. Copying another student’s paper, with or without permission, or using his/her ideas with only minimal reworking, is plagiarism, as is the copying from printed books and magazines without giving credit to the original source. Any student who submits a plagiarized paper or who permits another person to copy his/her work is subject to any of the following actions: a grade of “zero” or “F” for the work, failure in or expulsion from the class, being reported for further disciplinary action.

Cheating: A student who engages in dishonest behavior such as: using unauthorized notes or material when taking an examination, copying answers to examination questions, or engaging in securing unauthorized copies of examination questions (including aiding another person in doing so), is subject to the action or penalty indicated above. Copying another person’s class work and/or homework and submitting it as one’s own, or having another person perform an assignment and submitting it as having originated from themselves personally is guilty of plagiarism—which is cheating. Such students will therefore be subject to the above discipline. Faculty members are to submit all such cases on the appropriate “Plagiarism Form” to the Office of the Dean of Academics.

Paper Due Date Grading: The paper is due at the beginning of class on Thursday,March 17, or Thursday, April 21, depending on which prophetical book you chose. There are no exceptions. Extensions will only be granted for the following four reasons: 1) hospitalization for illness. A doctor’s note confirming such is required; 2) extended serious illness that prevents a student from attending class. This requires a doctor’s note and signature of verification from the student’s Resident Director; 3) funerals or family emergencies granted as an approved absence by the Academic Dean and Dean of Students; 4) school-approved activities. If the student meets one of these exceptions, a “Request for Extension Form” must be filled out. The form can be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Academic Dean. If your paper is turned in after attendance is taken on April 9, you will receive an automatic point deduction of five (5) points. For each twenty-four hour period (this includes Saturday’s, Sunday’s and school breaks) the paper is not turned in, there will be a forfeiture of five (5) points from the total points. If the paper is not turned in within five twenty-four hour periods after the due date and time, an automatic score of zero (0) will be entered for the grade with no chance of making up the paper/grade. If a hard copy cannot be presented by the specified time and hour, an email copy may be presented for verification of completion with a hard copy following.

CLASS DEPORTMENT & NECESSITIES:

The classroom is a place of spiritual formation and ministerial training. It is here that some of the basics of proper deportment will be practiced; therefore, the following guidelines are to be adhered to:

No gum chewing in class;

Proper posture: (no slouching!);

No usage of cell phones either before or after class or during breaks is permitted in the classroom (this includes texting); please restrict all cell phone usage to places other than the classroom.

If a student is late (which should be the exception), he or she should assume his or her seat quickly and quietly for obvious reasons. Thank you!

Please do not use red pen for anything other than class notes; and no pencilsare to be used on a test.

COURSE STRUCTURE:

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (40 Hours)

January 19/20, Wed/Thurs: Syllabus & Intro to the Prophets

Jan 26/27, Wed/Thurs: Intro to Isaiah;Isaiah 1-6

February 2/3, Wed/Thurs: 7-12;13-35Wednesday: Intro to Prophets/Isaiah quiz

Feb 9/10, Wed/Thurs: Isaiah; 36-39; Isaiah 40-55 (esp. Servant songs); 56-66 (in brief)

February 16, Wednesday: Prayer & Fasting

February 17, Thursday: 8:00 AM:Intro & Isaiah Test; Isaiah reading in Bible and textbook due);Paper discussion during 2nd class period

February 23/24, Wed/Thurs: Intro to Jeremiah; Jeremiah1-12; Text &Bibliography for paper due first period in class; full Turabian style w/cover page; 3 pts deducted (from paper) if late

March 2/3, Wed/Thurs: Jeremiah 13-25

March 8/9: Fall Break

March 16, Wednesday:Prayer & Fasting

March 17, Thursday: Jeremiah 26-45; Jeremiah 46-52; Isaiah or Jeremiah Exegesis Papers due at 9:00 AM in class

March 23, Wednesday:Lamentations 1-5

March 24, Thursday: Jeremiah/Lamentations Test at 9:00 AM; Jeremiah/Lamentations reading in Bible and textbook due); DVD on Thursday at 10:00 AM; mandatory attendance or 5 pts off final grade; notes must be taken, and an organized (not Turabian), typed copy handed in on March 29 at 9:00 AM

March 29/30, Wed/Thurs: Intro to Ezekiel; Ezekiel 1-11

April 6/7, Wed/Thurs: Ezekiel 12-24; 25-32

April 13/14, Wed/Thurs: Ezekiel 33-48; Intro to Daniel

April 20, Wednesday: Daniel 1-6

April 21,Thursday:Good Friday Service; Class at 9:45 or right after the service; Daniel 7-8; Lamentations, Ezekiel or Daniel Exegesis papers due at the beginning of class

April 27/28, Wed/Thurs: Daniel 7-8 cont’d;Daniel 9-12

May 4-10: Final Exams: Daniel and Ezekiel reading in Bible and text due on the final

CLASSIFIED & ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

General

Arnold, Clinton E., ed. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary. 4 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2002. [1924 pages; a helpful, conservative set]

Blenkinsopp, Joseph. A History of Prophecy in Israel. Louisville, KY: John KnoxPress, 1996.

Bright, John. A History of Israel. 4th ed. Louisville, KT: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000. [Moderate]

Bruggemann, Walter. The Prophetic Imagination. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1978.

Bullock, C. Hassel. An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Books. Chicago: Moody Press, 1986.

Chisholm, Robert B. Jr. Handbook on the Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: BakerAcademic, 2002. [Evangelical and premillennial]

Collins, John. The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1998.

Davison, A. B. Old Testament Prophecy. London: T. & T. Clark’s Publications,1905.

Feinberg, Charles Lee.The Messiah in the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.

Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications,2007.

Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, eds. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. 2 vols. Chicago: Moody Press, 1980.

Kaiser, Walter C. Jr. A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through The Jewish Wars. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998. [Conservative]

Kline, Meredith G. Images of the Spirit. South Hampton, MA: Gordon-ConwellTheological Seminary, 1980.

LaSor, William S., David A. Hubbard, and Frederic W. Bush, eds. Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co, 1996.

Long, V. Philips. The Art of Biblical History. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994.

Longman, Tremper III.Jeremiah, Lamentations. New International Biblical Commentary. General editors Gleason Robert L. Hubbard and Robert K. Johnston. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2008.

______.Old Testament Commentary Survey. 4th ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2007.

Matthews, Victor H. Manners and Customs in the Bible. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1995.

______. The Social World of the Hebrew Prophets. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2001.

Provan, Iain, V. Philips Long, and Tremper Longman III. A Biblical History of Israel.London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003. [Conservative]

Reddish, Mitchell G. ed. Apocalyptic Literature: A Reader. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1995.

Smith, James. The Major Prophets. Old Testament Survey Series. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1992.

VanGemeren, William A. Interpreting the Prophetic Word. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1990.

Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Background Commentary: Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. [832 pages]

Wilson, Robert R. Prophecy and Society in Ancient Israel. Philadelphia, PA:Fortress Press, 1980.

Wood, Leon J. The Prophets of Israel. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1979.

Wright, Christopher, J. H. Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

Isaiah

Grogan, Geoffrey C. In “Isaiah.”Isaiah-Ezekiel. Vol. 6 of The Expositor’s BibleCommentary. Edited by Frank E. Gaebelein, 3-354. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1986. [Evangelical]

Horton, Stanley M. Isaiah. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2000. [Evangelical& Pentecostal]

Motyer, J. Alec. Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 18 of the Tyndale OldTestament Commentaries. Edited by D. J. Wiseman. Downers Grove, IL:InterVarsity Press, 1999. [Evangelical]

______.The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. [Evangelical]

Oswalt, John N. The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 1-39. The New International CommentaryOn the Old Testament. Reprint. Edited by R. K. Harrison. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1993. [Evangelical]

______. The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 40-66. The New International commentary on the Old Testament. Edited by Robert L. Hubbard Jr. Rapids, MI: Wm. B. EerdmansPublishing Co., 1998. [Evangelical]

______. Isaiah. The NIV Application Commentary. Edited by Terry Muck. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2003. [Evangelical]

Jeremiah-Lamentations

Craigie, Peter C., Page H. Kelly, and Joel F. Drinkard, Jr. Jeremiah 1-25. Vol. 26 of the Word Biblical Commentary. Edited by Bruce M. Metzger. Dallas, TX: Word, 1991. [Evangelical/Critical]

Ellison, H. L. “Lamentations.” In Isaiah–Ezekiel. Vol. 6 of the Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Edited by Frank. E. Gaebelein, 695-733. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1986. [The revised edition by Paul. W. Ferris may should be available this year]

Feinberg, Charles L. “Jeremiah.” In Isaiah–Ezekiel. Vol. 6 of the Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Edited by Frank E. Gaebelein, 357-691. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1986. [I look forward to the revised edition by Michael L. Brown, a Pentecostal scholar with a strong Semitic background.]

Harrison, R. K. Jeremiah and Lamentations. Vol. 19 in the Tyndale Old TestamentCommentaries Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973. [Evangelical]

Holladay, William L. Jeremiah 1:.A Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah. In Hermeneia: A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible. Edited by Frank Moore Cross et al. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1986. [Conservative/Moderate]

______. Jeremiah 2: A Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah. In Hermeneia: A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible. Edited by Frank Moore Cross et al. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1989. [Conservative/Moderate]

Keil, C. F. Jeremiah, Lamentations. Commentary on the Old Testament.Vol. 8. Translated by David Patrick and James Kennedy. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1973. [Part of the famous and time-honored Keil & Delitzsch Commentaries; This ten-volume set is over 100 years old and is still quoted, is exegetically relevant and worth having. Evangelical]

Keown, Gerald L., Pamela J. Scalise, and Thomas G. Smothers. Jeremiah 26-52. Vol. 27 of the Word Biblical Commentary. Edited by David A. Hubbard and Glenn W. Barker. Dallas, TX: Word, 1995. [Evangelical]

Kidner, Derek. The Message of Jeremiah. The Bible Speaks Today. Edited by J. A. Motyer. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987.

Thompson, J. A. The Book of Jeremiah. In The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Edited by R. K. Harrison. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B. Eerdmans PublishingCo., 1980. [Evangelical/Critical]

Ezekiel

Alexander, Ralph H. “Ezekiel.” In Isaiah–Ezekiel. Vol. 6 of the Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Edited by Franck E. Gaebelein, 737 – 996. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1986. [The revised edition may be ready at the time of writing]

Block, Daniel L. The Book of Ezekiel. 2 vols. The New International Commentary On TheOld Testament. Edited by Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B.Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997, 1998. [Evangelical]

Greenberg, Moshe. Ezekiel 1-20. In the Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries. Edited by William Foxwell Albright and David Noel Friedman. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1983. [Conservative/Moderate & Jewish]

______. Ezekiel 21-37. In the Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries. Edited by William Foxwell Albright and David Noel Friedman. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1997. [Conservative/Moderate & Jewish]