Minor Prophets of the Old Testament
Course Syllabus
Fall, 2002, Day Section Professor Chuck Pitts, Th.D.
Phone
713-942-9505
Email
capitts@hgst.edu
A study of the minor
prophets of the Old Testament with attention to the content, form and style of
these books, and to the historical and literary contexts as well as exegetical
methods, inter-pretation and application.
Upon completion of this
course, the student should be able to:
1. Describe the historical,
cultural, political, and religious setting of each of the Minor Prophets and
his message (Hosea, Amos, Micah, Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Obadiah,
Joel, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi), with attention to the history and
culture of Egypt, Palestine, Canaan, and the Ancient Near East where
applicable.
2. Summarize the basic
teachings contained in the message of each of the Minor Prophets, with special
attention to the flow of thought in the prophetic books.
3. Identify, analyze and
summarize themes that are prevalent in the Minor Prophets, as seen by
appearance in more than one of the biblical books.
4. Evaluate major
theological issues as they arise in the messages of the Minor Prophets by
applying sound critical, exegetical methods to the study of the texts.
5. Apply the teachings of
the Minor Prophets to life in the modern world, primarily by comparing ancient
and modern society, religion, problems, and sins as these relate to the
messages of the Minor Prophets.
1. Daily Reading
Assignments
Read
passages from James Limburg, Hosea-Micah, Elizabeth Achtemeier, Nahum-Malachi,
Elizabeth Achtemeier, Preaching from the Minor Prophets, and the
biblical texts as assigned in the enclosed class schedule. The student should
also download and print the professor’s class notes from the Internet, at http://users.ev1.net/~cpitts.
2. Participation
a.
Attendance is expected. Absence from more that 2-3 hours of class will affect
your participation grade, unless prior arrangement is made or an emergency
exists. Please notify the professor when absence is necessary, especially when
assignments are due.
b. Class discussion based upon
daily reading is expected. Come to class prepared to take part in discussion.
3. Book
Introductions
The student
will prepare a brief (1-2 pp.) introduction to each of the 12 Minor Prophets.
This material will be gleaned from the introductions to each prophetic book in
the textbooks, as well as one other source, either another commentary, an Old
Testament introduction, or a good Bible Dictionary. Be sure to list the sources
used. This introduction should include discussion, where applicable, of:
i. Biographical data for the
prophet;
ii. Historical setting for the
prophet’s message & ministry; and
iii. Major teachings and themes
of the prophet’s message.
The
introductions will be handed in on the date in which the book is to be studied
and discussed in class, as shown on the attached schedule. As long as the
student’s writing is readable, the introductions may be typed or hand-written.
3. Semester
Project—The student may choose one of the following:
a. Research Paper--The research paper should
be a minimum of 12 pages and include a minimum of eight sources beyond the
textbook and the Bible. The student should focus on scholarly, critical works
rather than popular, expositional type of works. The course bibliography
contains many of the former types of works. The student should also be prepared
to make a brief oral presentation during the last class meeting.
The research paper should use the
style of Kate L. Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations, 6th Edition (Chicago: University of Chicago
Press, 1996). Utilize Turabian especially for use of quotations, notes, and
bibliography.
The student must document
sources! Any quote of more than three consecutive words should be enclosed in
quotation marks and noted. Any quote of three or more lines should be indented,
single-spaced, and also noted. Also, a summary of ideas taken from a source or
sources should be noted. The purpose of documentation is to guide the reader of
your paper to your sources for further study. The student may use either
footnotes or parenthetical notes to document sources.
Internet Resources—The
student may use some online resources, but limit the Internet to ¼ or less of
the total sources. The student must include author, article title, and website
in notes and bibliography. Be wary of online resources. If the material seems
too fantastic to be true, it probably is not true. When in doubt, check it out
carefully.
***The goal of a research paper
is that the student study relevant works in the field related to the topic,
evaluate the material read, and draw critical conclusions. This requires both
research and critical thinking. Remember that this is a scholarly research
paper, not a sermon.***
The student should note the
following guidelines for critical writing:
--Avoid
1st or 2nd person references (“I,” “we,” or “you”).
--Avoid
contractions.
--Avoid
passive voice construction (i.e. The student should write “God chose Hosea”
rather than “Hosea was chosen by God.”).
--Be
sure that tenses always agree (i.e. Do not write in one place that “Limburg
argues . . .” and at another place “Limburg argued . . .”).
--In almost
all cases, sub-headings (and a Table of Contents) make the paper better
organized and easier to read. Be sure to number pages.
Research Paper topics can include any major issue
in one of the prophetic books (such as historical background, themes, or theological
issues) or an in-depth exegetical study of a section of one of the books.
Possible topics could include, but are not limited to:
The
Historical Background of Amos, Hosea, or Micah
Hosea’s
Marriage & His Message
Hosea’s
Children & His Message
“Love”
in Hosea’s Preaching
Idolatry
in Hosea’s Preaching
Idolatry
in Amos’ Preaching
Covenant
in Hosea’s Preaching (or another of the prophets)
Religion
and Cult in Hosea
Religion
and Cult in Amos
Prophecy
against the Nations
The
“Day of the Lord” in the Minor Prophets (or one of the books)
Restoration/Remnant
in Hosea and/or Amos
Joel and
the Outpouring of the Spirit
Jonah’s
“Story”
“Justice
and Righteousness” in the Minor Prophets (or individual books)
Messianic
Prophecies in the Minor Prophets (esp. Micah, Joel, Zechariah, and Malachi)
Prophecies
against Corrupt Leaders in the Minor Prophets (esp. Hosea, Amos & Micah)
Habakkuk’s
Problem (Theodicy?)
God’s
Wrath/Anger in the Minor Prophets (or individual books)
God’s
Judgment in the Minor Prophets (or individual books)
Haggai,
Zechariah, and the Rebuilding of the Temple
Zechariah
and Apocalyptic Literature
b.
Sermon Series—The student may choose to develop a series of sermons. The sermon
series should include 5 sermons. The series can be from one book or based on a
theme that is developed through more than one of the Minor Prophets. The
sermons must be related to each other in a series in some way, either from the
same book or dealing with a common theme. Each of the sermons should
include:
i. Introduction, which should
lead up to the main idea and the Scripture text.
ii. Objective/Main Idea of the
sermon
iii. Outline,
which should include (where applicable) the major points of the sermon,
expanded by illustrations, word studies, background (historical, cultural), and
theological material, as well as parallel texts from other biblical books. This
section should show the exegetical study conducted by the student.
iv. Conclusion, which should
include practical application.
The student must show research and serious study.
Include a bibliography of sources used in sermon preparation.
c. Bible Study—The student may choose to
prepare a Bible Study series on one or more of the Minor Prophets. The series
should include 5 Bible studies. The series may cover one biblical book or, if
shorter books (such as Joel or Habakkuk) are chosen, several books. Each Bible
study should include:
i. Introduction to the
prophet and his world.
ii.
Study questions on selected themes and important concepts, words, and phrases.
Answers to the questions should be provided. These answers should show thorough
exegetical work by the student, even if this is more information than might be
provided in a class setting at the student’s church.
iii.
Historical, cultural, and religious background discussions to aid the person
who might use the study. This should include relevant parallel scripture
passages, as well as important literary and archaeological discoveries from the
Ancient Near East, which might help in understanding the texts in the study.
iv.
Conclusion to the study, which should include practical application.
[**Note:
Handouts that could be used in teaching this study could also be useful.**]
The
student must show research and serious study. Include a bibliography of sources
used in study.
4. Examinations
The student will take two
examinations as scheduled in the Course Outline. The final examination will be a
take-home exam that will be due at the beginning of the final class meeting.
The final exam will be comprehensive only when asking questions concerning
theological themes and practical application of this class and the topics
discussed for the student’s life and ministry.
1. Late Work
Any work that is not turned in at
the designated time will be subject to reduction of grade. Typically the policy
is: up to a week late the grade will be reduced by one letter grade and after a
week the assignment will not be accepted.
2. Cell Phones/Pagers
Please turn off cell phones and
pagers. They are very disruptive in class. If the student must leave a phone or
pager turned on, please communicate that need with the professor.
1. Participation—A
balance of attendance, class participation and required reading. 10%
2. Book Introductions 20%
3. Semester Project 25%
4. Examinations (average of 2 exams) 25%
5. Final Exam 20%
A = 94-100%
B = 86-93%
C = 78-85%
D = 70-77%
The Bible, preferably in a
modern translation (NIV, NASB, NRSV, NLT)
Limburg, James. Hosea-Micah
in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Atlanta: John
Knox Press, 1988.
Achtemeier, Elizabeth. Nahum-Malachi
in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Atlanta: John
Knox Press, 1986.
. Preaching From the
Minor Prophets: Texts and Sermon Suggestions. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.
Course Outline
Sept. 4 Introduction
to Course
Sept. 6 Introduction
to Hosea, Limburg 1-4, Preaching 1-9
Sept. 11 Hosea
1-3, Limburg 4-15, Preaching 11-20
Sept. 13 Hosea
4-8, Limburg 15-31, Preaching 20-23
Sept. 18 Hosea
9-11, Limburg 31-43, Preaching 23-27
Sept. 20 Hosea
12-14, Limburg 43-54
Sept. 25 Introduction
to Amos, Amos 1:1-2:16, Limburg 79-93
Sept. 27 Amos
3-5, Limburg 93-104, Preaching 36-45
Oct. 2 Amos
6-9, Limburg 104-126, Preaching 45-49
Oct. 4 Introduction
to Micah, Micah 1-3, Limburg 159-179, Preaching 64-69
Oct. 9 Micah
4-7, Limburg 179-198, Preaching 70-78
Oct. 11 Review
for Exam
Oct. 16 **Exam
#1**
Oct. 18 Jonah
1-4, Limburg 137-158, Preaching 55-63
Oct. 23 Nahum
1-3, Achtemeier Nahum 1-30, Preaching 79-86
Oct. 25 Habakkuk
1-3, Achtemeier Nahum 31-60, Preaching 87-95
Oct. 30 Zephaniah
1-3, Achtemeier Nahum 61-88, Preaching 96-103
Nov. 1 Obadiah
1, Limburg 127-136, Preaching 50-54
Nov. 6 Joel
1-3, Limburg 55-79, Preaching 28-35
Nov. 8 **Exam
#2**
Nov. 15 Haggai
1-2, Achtemeier Nahum 93-106, Preaching 104-111
Nov. 20 Introduction
to Zechariah, Achtemeier Nahum 107-111
Nov. 22 Zechariah
1-8, Achtemeier Nahum 111-145, Preaching 112-123
Nov. 27 Zechariah
9-14, Achtemeier Nahum 145-170, Preaching 123-125
Nov. 29 No
Class—Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 4 **Project
Due**
Intro. to Malachi,
Malachi 1-2, Achtemeier Nahum 171-183, Preaching 126-130
Dec. 6 Malachi
3-4, Achtemeier Nahum 183-198, Preaching 130-136
Dec. 13 **Final
Exam Due**, Paper Discussions