Isaiah-Malachi Syllabus 8
Isaiah-Malachi
OT516 Fall 2011
Instructor: Richard (Dick) Belcher, Jr.
Course Description
This course presents an expository study of the message of the prophets that looks at their meaning in the context of OT history, which is foundational for understanding their message for God's people today. Issues surrounding the interpretation of prophecy, the unfolding of revelation in relationship to the Messiah, and the significance of the prophets for ministry are emphasized.
Course Objectives
1) To set the prophets in their historical setting in order to better understand the message of the prophets.
2) To be able to summarize the message of each prophetic book.
3) To become familiar with some of the issues related to the interpretation of prophecy.
4) To see how the prophets lay the groundwork for the coming of the Messiah.
Textbooks and Other Materials
1) Ray Dillard and Tremper Longman III, Introduction to the OT (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006), hereinafter IOT.
2) Willem A. VanGemeren, Interpreting the Prophetic Word (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990), hereinafter IPW.
3) John C. Whitcomb, Jr., Chart of Old Testament Kings and Prophets (5th rev. ed.; Winona Lake, IN: BMH Books, 1977): to be purchased through RTS Charlotte bookstore.
4) Additional Assigned Reading (see schedule below):
a) Richard Pratt, "Historical Contingencies and Biblical Predictions," The Way of Wisdom (eds. J. I. Packer and Sven K. Sonderlund; Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000), pp. 180-203. This article can be accessed at: http://thirdmill.org/historical-contingencies-and-biblical-predictions
b) D. Brent Sandy and Ronald Giese, Jr., Cracking Old Testament Codes (Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers, pp. 139-96, hereinafter COTC.
On reserve in the library.
c) Samuel E. Waldron, To Be Continued (Merrick, NY: Calvary Press Publishing, 2005), pp. 11-79, part of this book analyzes OT and NT prophets
d) John Walton , Ancient Israelite Literature in its Cultural Context (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990), pp. 201-228. On reserve in the library.
Assignments
1) Each of the prophetic books must be read, as well as the assigned reading.
2) A Prophetic Profile must be turned in on each prophetic book except for Obadiah and Joel. The Profile will be based on your assigned reading in IOT and IPW and will follow a Prophetic Profile guideline.
3) Hebrew reading: for those who know Hebrew there is a Hebrew reading for each week. The assignment consists of reading Hebrew for 20 minutes starting at a designated chapter and verse. The Hebrew assignment is listed on the Schedule. You are not required to read Walton.
4) Each class will begin with a quiz consisting primarily of outlines. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped. Your first missed quiz will be your drop regardless of the reason for missing the quiz.
5) There will be three exams. The exams will be based on the lectures.
6) A paper is required. It should focus on a particular passage from the prophets (see the handout "Guidelines for the Paper").
Grades
1) Exams 60%
2) Paper 20%
3) Prophetic Profiles 10%
4) Quizzes 05%
4) Reading Requirements 05%
Schedule
Date Subject Reading/Assign
Aug 26 Intro to Course
OT Prophecy: Revelation
versus Manipulation
The Role of OT Prophets:
Proclamation and Prosecution
Sept 2 Prophecy: Definition and Pratt art
Interpretation
Amos* IOT 420-434
IPW 127-37
*indicates when Prophetic Walton Ch 8
Profile is due for that book Amos Outline
Hebrew reading: Amos 9:11 (if you finish
the chapter within 20 minutes, go back to 9:1)
Sept 9 Hosea* IOT 397-408
IPW 105-120
Jonah* IOT 443-448
IPW 146-149
IPW Ch 1
Hosea Outline
Hebrew reading: start Hosea 1:1 and read for 20 minutes
Sept 16 Finish Jonah
Isaiah* IOT 311-320
IPW 246-66
IPW Ch 2-3
Isaiah Outline
Hebrew reading: start Isaiah 7:10
First Exam through Jonah (given outside of class)
Sept 23 Finish Isaiah 1-39
Micah* IOT 449-455
IPW 150-159
Isaiah 40-66 IOT 301-311
IPW 266-89
COTC Ch 7
Habakkuk Outline
Hebrew reading: start Isaiah 65:17
Sept 30 Zephaniah* IOT 470-476
IPW 173-79
Habakkuk* IOT 463-469
IPW 168-173
Nahum* IOT 456-462
IPW 161-168
Zephaniah Outline
Hebrew reading: start Habakkuk 2:1
Oct 7 Jeremiah* IOT 321-341
IPW 290-320
COTC Ch 8
Jeremiah Outline
Hebrew reading: start Jeremiah 31:31
Oct 14 No Class: Reading Week
Oct 21 Obadiah IOT 435-442
IPW 141-46
Joel IOT 409-419
IPW 120-27
No profiles for Obadiah and Joel (see next page)
Hebrew reading: start Joel 3:1 (Hebrew chapter/verse)
Passage for paper due Waldron 11-79
Joel Outline
2nd exam Isaiah-Joel (given outside of class)
Oct 28 Ezekiel* IOT 354-370
IPW 322-38
Ezekiel Outline
Hebrew reading: start Ezekiel 37:1
Nov 4 Daniel* IOT 371-398
IPW 338-52
Walton 217-28
COTC Ch 9
Daniel Outline
Hebrew reading: start Daniel 9:24
Nov 11 Finish Daniel
Haggai* IOT 477-483
IPW 187-93
IPW Ch 8
Haggai Outline
Hebrew reading: start Haggai 2:7
Nov 18 No Class – ETS
Nov 25 No Class - Thanksgiving
Dec 2 Zechariah* IOT 484-495
IPW 193-202
Malachi* IOT 496-502
IPW 202-210
IPW Ch 12
Zechariah Outline
Hebrew reading: start Malachi 2:13 (you must read 2:16)
****Prophets paper due on December 2***
Dec 8-9, 12-13 Final Exam (Ezekiel through Malachi)
Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
Course: Isaiah to Malachi (OT 516)
Professor: Richard Belcher
Campus: Charlotte
Date: March 2009
MDiv* Student Learning OutcomesIn order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes.
*As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus. / Rubric
Ø Strong
Ø Moderate
Ø Minimal
Ø None / Mini-Justification
Articulation
(oral & written) / Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and cultural/global information, including details, concepts, and frameworks. / Moderate / articulation of essential biblical, theological, and historical information is covered, but mostly written, not oral
Scripture / Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research further into the original meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate use of original languages and hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, and cultural/global perspectives.) / Strong / the original meaning of the Prophets is covered with an emphasis on research in a paper and substantial time spent on meaning for today
Reformed Theology / Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. / Moderate / a few theological issues are covered (openess view of God, prophecy and historical contingency, eschatology views, covenant)
Sanctification / Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student’s sanctification. / Minimal / Learning about the character of God in the prophets aids this
Desire for Worldview / Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. / None / implicit not explicit
Winsomely Reformed / Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians; and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) / None
Preach / Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. / Moderate / we talk about how to preach and teach the prophets
Worship / Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christian-worship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. / None
Shepherd / Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; and encouraging a concern for non-Christians, both in America and worldwide. / None
Church/World / Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. / None