Birmingham Theological Seminary2200 Briarwood Way

Birmingham, Alabama 35243

Spring Semester 2019 January 14 – May 3, 2019OT1022 Old Testament II Historical Books & Prophets Course Time: Mondays, 9:00 – 11:00am Classroom: A201Instructor: Prof. Kuna Griggs Email: kunagriggs@yahoo.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION An overview of the Historical Books and Prophets designed to elucidate the central message, theology, literary structure, and practical relevance of the Old Testament and its contribution to God’s revelation of His redemptive plan.

COURSE OBJECTIVESUpon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the central message of each Historical Book and Prophet. Identify the literary structure and purpose of the Historical Books and Prophets. Explain the need, characteristics, and role of a prophet. Analyze the message and practical relevance of each book to its original audience. Grasp the relevance of Old Testament quotations, particularly from the Historical Books and

Prophets, in the New Testament. Discuss contemporary Christian applications from the Historical Books and Prophets that are in

keeping with the author’s intended meaning. Discuss the contribution of the Historical Books and Prophets to God’s revelation of His

redemptive plan.

COURSE TEXTSRequired Texts: Holy Bible, the English Standard Version (ESV), New American Standard Bible

(NASB), New English Translation (NET), New International Version (NIV), New King James Version (NKJV), or King James Version (KJV). 1

Schultz, Samuel J. The Old Testament Speaks: A Complete Survey of Old Testament History and Literature, 5th ed. New York: HarperCollins, 2000. ISBN-13: 978-0062516749.

Recommended Texts: Chisholm, Robert B. Handbook on the Prophets. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

Dorsey, David A. The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: a Commentary on Genesis – Malachi. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1991.

1 These versions: (1) are translations, not paraphrases, (2) were translated by a committee, not one person, and (3) use archaeologically and linguistically up-to-date critical editions of the Hebrew texts (except the NKJV and KJV).

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COURSE METHODS OF INSTRUCTIONClass format will be primarily lecture; students are expected to maintain notes. A synopsis of lecture material may be available to assist in note-taking. Participation through discussion and questions is strongly encouraged. Visual materials will be used whenever practical.

COURSE ARRANGEMENTEnglish versions of the Old Testament follow a topical arrangement—Pentateuch, Historical Books, Poetical Books, Major Prophets, and Minor Prophets. Although this arrangement is suitable for topical reference, it can make the unfolding of redemption history difficult to follow. Therefore, this course will follow a more chronological arrangement:

Historical Books (1050 – 410BC)1 & 2 Samuel Ezra1 & 2 Kings Nehemiah1 & 2 Chronicles Esther

Prophets of a Divided Kingdom: Period of Backslidden Dominance (835-728BC)Joel (835-796) Amos (766-754)Jonah (787-743) Hosea (758-717)

Pre-Exilic Prophets: Period of Assyrian Dominance (745-615BC)722BC Northern Kingdom into Captivity

Isaiah (745-683) Nahum (656-616)Micah (740-694) Zephaniah (637-617)

Pre-Exilic Prophets: Period of Babylonian Dominance (622-544BC)586BC Southern Kingdom into Captivity

Jeremiah (627-583) Ezekiel (593-570)Habakkuk (626-610) Lamentations (586-585)Obadiah (603-591)

Exilic Prophets: Period of Persian Dominance (545-410BC)Daniel (586-530)

Post-Exilic Prophets: Period of Persian Dominance (545-410BC)Haggai (520-516) Zechariah (520-518)Malachi (440-412)

GRADING WEIGHT & SCALEReading: 10% of final grade Project: 20% of final gradePapers: 45% of final grade Final Exam: 25% of final grade

The BTS grading scale is as follows:

A 96-100 B 85-89 C 75-79 D 65-69 F Below 60A- 90-95 B- 80-84 C- 70-74 D- 60-64

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COURSE SCHEDULE & ASSIGNMENTSBelow is the course schedule by date. Discussion topics are in regular font. Due papers, projects, and exams are in bold, and reading to be completed by the very next class date is in italics.

Jan 14 Syllabus Review1 & 2 SamuelOT Speaks Chapter VII: Times of Transition and Chapter VIII: Union of Israel Under David & Solomon

Mar 11 Nahum and ZephaniahOT Speaks Chapter XXIII: Warnings to Judah and Chapter XIX: Jeremiah—A Man of Fortitude

Jan 21 No Class – MLK Holiday Mar 18 Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and ObadiahDue: 2nd PaperOT Speaks Chapter XX: Ezekiel—The Watchman of Israel

Jan 28 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 ChronDue: Book ChoiceOT Speaks Chapter IX: The Divided Kingdom, Chapter X: The Northern Secession, and Chapter XI: The Southern Loyalists

Mar 25 No Class – Spring Break

Feb 04 Ezra, Nehemiah, and EstherOT Speaks Chapter XII: Revolution, Recovery, and Ruin,Chapter XIII: Judah Survives Assyrian Imperialism, and Chapter XIV: Failing Hopes of Davidic Kings

Apr 01 Ezekiel and LamentationsOT Speak Chapter XV: The Jews Among the Nations and Chapter XXI: Daniel—Statesman and Prophet

Feb 11 Joel and JonahDue: 1st PaperOT Speaks Chapter XXII: In Times of Prosperity

Apr 08 DanielOT Speaks Chapter XXIV: Foreign Nations in ProphecyExam Study Guide Provided

Feb 18 Amos and HoseaOT Speaks Chapter XVIII: Isaiah and his Message

Apr 15 Haggai, Zechariah, and MalachiOT Speaks Chapter XXV: Beyond the Exile

Feb 25 No Class – Mission Conference Apr 22 Due: Reading RecordDue: Class Presentation

Mar 04 Isaiah and MicahOT Speaks Chapter XVI: The Good Hand of God

Apr 29 Final Exam

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS Reading Completion Record (attached): a Reading Completion Record will be used to verify

reading assignment completion. Assigned readings are to be completed by the next class date. The Reading Completion Record is due April 22nd.

5-7 Page Paper : Class participants will choose a Historical Book or Prophet to focus on by Jan 28th. For the chosen book, participants will discuss biographical information about the author (if the author is known), historical setting, literary structure, major themes, and references to Christ. Certificate student papers must be 3-5 pages and need only to discuss biographical information about the author (if the author is known), major themes, and references to Christ. Page length does not include a Cover Page or Bibliography and must not be longer or shorter than the allotted page range. A Grading Criteria and Assessment rubric for papers is attached. The paper is due Feb 11th. BTS has adopted Turabian as the standard for form and style in writing; a Quick Guide of Turabian is attached. If further details of Turabian form and style are needed, the student should refer to:

Turabian, Kate L., et al. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 9th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2018. ISBN-13: 978-0226430577.

8-10 Page Paper : Class participants will submit an exposition of their chosen book. Expositions should follow the narrative and demonstrate how each portion contributes to the purpose and flow of the book. Certificate student papers must be 6-8 pages and can either be an exposition of the book or an exposition of a portion of the book. Page length does not include the Cover Page or Bibliography and must not be longer or shorter than the allotted page range. A Grading Criteria and Assessment rubric for papers is attached. This paper is due March 18th.

Presentation : Participants will present their chosen book to the class, discussing historical setting, author biography, references to Christ, and providing a sequential expository survey of the book. PowerPoint, handouts, dry erase board, or any combination of these may be used. Presentation length will be determined by the number of class participants and will occur in alphabetical order by first name. Class presentations will be April 22nd.

Final Exam : There will be a Final Exam to assess student achievement of course objectives. The Exam date is the final day of class—April 29th. A study guide will be provided on April 8th.

Assignments should be submitted as MS Word or PDF files to kunagriggs@yahoo.com no later than 11:59pm on the due date. Hard copies are acceptable at the start of class on the due date.

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Turabian: A Quick Guide

Title Page The title page should include the paper title, your name, and your class information All the text on the title page should be standard 12pt. font, centered and double-spaced The paper’s title should be about one-third of the way down the page Your name and class information should be about two-thirds of the way down the page

Margins The left margin of each page is 1.5 inches; all other margins are 1 inch.

Font and Typeface Use only a 12-point Times New Roman font for main text and 10-point Times New Roman

font for footnotes. For biblical languages, use 12-point (or a similar size) font. Italicize book, magazine, and journal titles (do not underline).

Page Numbers Page numbers should begin on the first page of the paper’s text, not on the title page. Place page numbers flush with the top right-hand margin.

Spacing/Indention The entire paper should be double-spaced, apart from the following exceptions: block quotes,

footnotes, bibliography, and table titles (all of which are single spaced). A terminal punctuation should be followed by single space. Indent the first line of paragraphs and entire block quotations 0.5 inch from the left margin.

Quotations Block quotations are used only with a prose quotation of five or more lines. Single space a block quotation, and leave a blank line before and after it.

Citations/References Use superscript numbers both in the text and footnote numbers preceding the notes. Cited Bible passages should be in parentheses within the main text rather than in a footnote. Spell out book names of the Bible in the main text but use abbreviations in parenthetical or

reference material. Example:Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”The Bible states, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1).

Use the “traditional” style for abbreviations of books of the Bible; do not italicize. Cite unpublished interviews in the footnotes.

Voice and Style Papers generally should be written in the 3rd person (he, she, it) with an active voice. 1st

person pronouns (I, we, us) can be used where appropriate, but the 2nd person pronoun (you) should be avoided.

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Capitalize pronouns when referring to any Person of the Godhead to minimize ambiguity.GRADING CRITERIA AND ASSESSMENT RUBRIC

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SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Chisholm, Robert B. Handbook on the Prophets. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.

Dillard, Raymond B. and Tremper Longman, III. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.

Dorsey, David A. The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: a Commentary on Genesis – Malachi. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1991.

Dumbrell, William J. Covenant and Creation: A Theology of the Old Testament Covenants. United Kingdom: Paternoster, 1997.

Elwell, Walter A., ed. Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996.

Gentry, Peter J. and Stephen J. Wellum. Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.

Goldsworthy, Graeme. According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity, 2002.

Howard, David M., Jr. An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books. Chicago: Moody, 1993.

Laney, J. Carl. “The Role of the Prophets in God’s Case Against Israel.” Bibliotheca Sacra, 138 no 552 Oct - Dec 1981, p 313-325.

Merrill, Eugene H. Kingdom of Priests: A History of Old Testament Israel. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987.

McComiskey, Thomas Edward. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2009.

Motyer, J. Alec. The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1993.

Roop, Eugene F. The Believers Church Bible Commentary: Ruth, Jonah, Esther. Scottdale, PA: Herald, 2002.

Schultz, Samuel J. The Old Testament Speaks: A Complete Survey of Old Testament History and Literature, 5th ed. New York: HarperCollins, 2000.

Young, Edward J. My Servants the Prophets. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985.

Zuck, Roy B., ed. A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1991.

READING COMPLETION RECORD (MASTERS STUDENTS)

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Name (Please Print)DUE DATE READING ASSIGNMENT % READ

Jan 14 OT Speaks Chapter VII: Times of Transition and Chapter VIII: Union of Israel Under David & Solomon

Jan 28 OT Speaks Chapter IX: The Divided Kingdom, Chapter X: The Northern Secession, and Chapter XI: The Southern Loyalists

Feb 04 OT Speaks Chapter XII: Revolution, Recovery, and Ruin,Chapter XIII: Judah Survives Assyrian Imperialism, and Chapter

Feb 11 OT Speaks Chapter XXII: In Times of Prosperity

Feb 18 OT Speaks Chapter XVIII: Isaiah and his Message

Mar 04 OT Speaks Chapter XVI: The Good Hand of God

Mar 11 OT Speaks Chapter XXIII: Warnings to Judah and Chapter XIX: Jeremiah—A Man of Fortitude

Mar 18 OT Speaks Chapter XX: Ezekiel—The Watchman of Israel

Apr 01 OT Speak Chapter XV: The Jews Among the Nations and Chapter XXI: Daniel—Statesman and Prophet

Apr 08 OT Speaks Chapter XXIV: Foreign Nations in Prophecy

Apr 15 OT Speaks Chapter XXV: Beyond the Exile

READING COMPLETION RECORD (CERTIFICATE STUDENTS)DUE DATE READING ASSIGNMENT % READ

Jan 14 OT Speaks Chapter VII: Times of Transition and Chapter VIII: Union of Israel Under David & Solomon

Jan 28 OT Speaks Chapter IX: The Divided Kingdom, Chapter X: The Northern Secession, and Chapter XI: The Southern Loyalists

Feb 11 OT Speaks Chapter XXII: In Times of Prosperity

Feb 18 OT Speaks Chapter XVIII: Isaiah and his Message

Mar 11 OT Speaks Chapter XXIII: Warnings to Judah and Chapter XIX: Jeremiah—A Man of Fortitude

Mar 18 OT Speaks Chapter XX: Ezekiel—The Watchman of Israel

Apr 08 OT Speaks Chapter XXIV: Foreign Nations in Prophecy

Apr 15 OT Speaks Chapter XXV: Beyond the Exile