A. Course Description
The Bible relates the fascinating story of God and His salvation plan for the human race. In this saving plan, the prophets play a key role. The prophets are the voice of the Lord speaking to his people, delivering his message. The prophets are also the voice of the people crying to the Lord in the midst of the vicissitudes of their lives.
Not only proclaim the coming events as the Exile, the Return from the Exile, the Day of the Lord, Judgment, but also do the prophets deal with the present situation. They proclaim that YHWH is not just the God of Israel, but the God of all nations and peoples. They strongly inveigh against idolatry, religious festivities for form’s sake, at the same time, reminding their listeners of the importance of the social justice in their daily life. Their lessons influence the shape of Judaism and foreshadow the coming of Christ.
B. Course Objectives
On successful completion of this course, student will be expected:
- To understand historical, social and political background of the Hebrew prophets, so as to be able to read prophetic texts contextually.
- To learn the main themes, passages of the prophetic Literature of the Bible as well as their relevance to modern times; to engage the biblical texts with various dimensions of the contemporary life.
- To have a deeper knowledge of and greater appreciation for the Old Testament prophets, their influences in the New Testament, their place in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
- The course also introduces to the students some basic knowledges of Hebrew orthography, in order that they be able to read words in Hebrew as well as to acquire some crucial vocabularies. This acquirement will be counted as a “bonus” (5%) added to the final evaluation.
C. Course Texbooks
- Barton, J., Oracles of God. Perceptions of Ancient Prophecy in Israel after the Exile (London 2007).
- Blenkinsopp, J. A History of Prophecy in Israel (Louisville 1996).
- Guette, F., “The Genre of the Call Narrative, Beyond Habel’s Model”, JBQ 169 (2015) 54-58.
- Habel, Normal C., “The Form and Significance of the Call Narratives”, ZAW 77 (1965) 297-323.
- Hays, Daniel J., The Message of the Prophets (Grand Rapids 2010).
- Miller, John W., Meet the Prophets (Mahwah 1987).
- Peterson, David L., The Prophetic Literature: an Introduction (Louisville 2002).
- von Rad, G., The Message of the Prophets (SMC Press Ltd, London 1969).
- Vogels, W., Les Prophètes (l’horizon du croyant; Novalis 1990).
D. Course Evaluation
- Paper: (5-8 pages): 80%
- Oral Exam: Historical/social/geo-political background: 20%