4

OBST 664 PRE-EXILIC MINOR PROPHETS GARY E. YATES, PH.D. PHONE NUMBER (434) 592-4149 E-MAIL GYATES@LIBERTY.EDU OFFICE LOCATION CN 2500 Please note that this syllabus may change if the instructor deems it necessary. I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

An examination of Israel’s prophets before the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Attention is given to their historic setting as well as to their message and theological relevance.

II. RATIONALE

The Minor Prophets form a significant part of the prophetic section of the Old Testament canon and contain numerous important prophecies of Messiah and the messianic age.

III. PREREQUISITES

There are no prerequisites for this course.

IV. MATERIALS LIST

Bible: Version of your choice

Bruckner, James. Jonah, Nahum, Habbakuk, Zephaniah (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010).

Smith, Gary V. Hosea, Amos, Micah, NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

Timmer, Daniel C. A Gracious and Compassionate God: Mission, Salvation, and Spirituality in the Book of Jonah. New Studies in Biblical Theology. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2011.

Walton, John H. (ed.) Zondervan Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Vol. 5. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.

V. MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will be able to:

OBST 665

Page 2 of 12

A. Explain the historical background of the pre-exilic Minor Prophets. B. Analyze introductory and background issues related to the pre-exilic Minor

Prophets.

C. Summarize the message of each of the pre-exilic Minor Prophets and identify key passages from each book.

D. Analyze major interpretive issues in the pre-exilic Minor Prophets.

E. Apply literary insights regarding prophetic literature to the study of prophetic

texts.

F. Integrate the theological message of the pre-exilic Minor Prophets into the larger message of the Bible as a whole (with a view toward reading, interpreting, and teaching these books as Christian Scripture).

VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS

A. Reading: The student is to read each of the pre-exilic Minor Prophets (Hosea,

Amos, Micah, Jonah, Obadiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Habbakkuk), the corresponding sections from the Walton, and all of the Smith commentary in accordance with the class schedule. The student is also to read the Timmer text before the book of Jonah is covered in class. Other readings from journal articles and other outside sources will be assigned at different times in the course. Readings are to be completed for each segment of the course and cannot be made up at a later date in the course. A portion of the points for each exam will be based on reading completed for the class. Supports Course Objectives A, B, C, D, E, and F.

B. Exams: There will be two exams for the class—a mid-term and a final. The questions will be both objective and essay. The exams are not cumulative.

C. Research Paper: The student will complete a 14-15 page research paper that

conforms to Turabian standards that explains in detail (and with good scholarly research) the theological message of one of the books of the Minor Prophets covered in this course. The paper should use a minimum of 12 quality research sources. Supports Course Objectives A, B, E, and F.

D. Bible Study/Lesson on a Passage from the Minor Prophets: The student will

write a well-researched Bible study/lesson for a selected passage from the Minor Prophets—this should be a chapter or unit within one of the books studied in this course (email your selection to the professor when you have decided). You should focus on the message of the passage, background or historical issues that are important for understanding the text, interpretive problems or questions, the theological message of the passage (what does it teach us about God, his people, etc), and how the passage is relevant to us today. The paper should be 10-12 pages and should include a bibliography with a minimum of 7 sources used for the paper. Supports Course Objectives A, D, E, and F.

OBST 665

Page 3 of 12

E. Interpretive Issue Paper: The student is to write a 7-8 page paper dealing with an

interpretive issue from a passage in one of the books of the Minor Prophets covered in this class. The paper should be well-researched and include footnotes and bibliography. The paper must use a minimum of 8 good scholarly sources, and the paper topic must be approved by the professor. The paper is due before the passage is covered in class and must be turned in no later than April 1. Supports Course Objectives D and E.

All written work must reflect a Master’s Level use of the English language and should conform to a near-thesis standard. The following minimum standards must be met:

1” margins, top, bottom, and sides. Page numbers must be included. 12-point standard font Indent paragraphs 5 spaces or 0.6 inch No extra-line feed between paragraphs Section headings in italics Staple all papers—no paperclips, folders, or fanfold

VII. COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES

A. Weight or Points Exam 1 240 points Exam 2 240 points Theology of Prophetic Book Paper 240 points Bible Study/Lesson Paper 140 points Interpretive Issue Paper 140 points Total: 1000 points

B. Scale (in points):

940-1000 A 920-939 A- 900-919 B+ 860-899 B 840-859 B- 820-839 C+ 780-819 C 760-779 C- 740-759 D+ 700-739 D 680-699 D- Below 680 F

C. Assignment Policies

The following situations are the only legitimate excuses to grant an extension for any assignment.

OBST 665

Page 4 of 12

1. Medical emergency 2. Military Deployment 3. Death in the family

It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation to substantiate the medical emergency and military deployment. Concerning other extenuating issues, the professor can make exceptions if he/she determines that the circumstances warrant an extension or acceptance of a late assignment. However, if the criteria for a legitimate excuse are not met as stated above, the assignments will be deducted 5% of total points each day it is tardy. Instructor Availability and Feedback: The instructor will answer most emails within 24–48 hours. In addition, the instructor will reply to some but not all Discussion Board posts.

D. Attendance Policies The student is obliged to follow the attendance policies identified in the graduate catalog.

E. Academic Misconduct Policies Academic misconduct is strictly prohibited. See the graduate catalog for specific definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting.

F. Drop/Add Policies

The student is obliged to follow the drop/add policies identified in the graduate catalog.

G. Dress Code The student is expected to maintain a neat, professional appearance while in class. The code is described in the graduate catalog and may be amended with guidelines by the school of study.

H. Classroom Policies The use of cell phones will not be permitted. The use of computers is provisional. The student will only be allowed to use a computer if he/she is taking notes during class. Surfing of the web, social networking, or any other activity on a computer that distracts the student from the lecture (in the opinion of the professor) will result in the forfeiture of the privilege of the use of the computer in class. Should one student’s behavior result in the forfeiture of the use of a computer for that student, the entire class may lose the privilege of the use of computers.

I. Disability Assistance Students with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) in Green Hall 2668 to make arrangements for academic accommodations. For all disability testing accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Testing Center (Green Hall 2700) is the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom.

OBST 665

Page 5 of 12

VIII. Course Schedule

Class 1: Syllabus Intro

Class 2: Intro to the Prophets

Class 3: Intro to the Prophets

Class 4: Hosea

Class 5: Hosea

Class 6: Hosea

Class 7: Amos

Class 8: Amos

Class: 9 Amos

Class 10: Amos

Class 11: Jonah

Class 12: Jonah

Class 13: Jonah (Theology of the Prophetic Book Due)

Class 14: Jonah

Class 15: Mid-Term Exam

Class 17: Micah

Class 18: Micah

Class 19: Micah

Class 20: Nahum (Bible Study Lesson Paper Due)

Class 21: Nahum

Class 22: Obadiah

Class 23: Zephaniah

Class 24: Zephaniah

Class 25: Habakkuk

Class 26: Habakkuk

Class 27: Theology of the Minor Prophets

Class 28: Theology of the Minor Prophets

FINAL EXAM: according to university exam schedule

OBST 665

Page 6 of 12

IX. SELECTED COURSE BIBLIOGRAPHY

Baker, David W. Joel, Obadiah, Malachi : The NIV Application Commentary from Biblical Text--to Contemporary Life. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.

Barker, Kenneth L., and D. Waylon Bailey. Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1999.

Barton, John. Joel and Obadiah : A Commentary. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.

Birch, Bruce C. Hosea, Joel, and Amos. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.

Boda, Mark J. Haggai, Zechariah. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004.

Boda, Mark J. Haggai & Zechariah Research : A Bibliographic Survey. Leiden: Deo, 2003.

Bruckner, James K. Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah : The NIV Application Commentary from Biblical Text-- to Contemporary Life. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004.

Butler, Trent C. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2005.

Carmody, Denise Lardner, and John Carmody. Corn & Ivy : Spiritual Reading in Ruth and Jonah. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1995.

Coggins, R. J. Joel and Amos. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 2000.

Conrad, Edgar W. Reading the Latter Prophets : Toward a New Canonical Criticism. New York: T & T Clark International, 2003.

Finley, Thomas John. Joel, Obadiah and Micah. Chicago: Moody Press, 1996.

Garrett, Duane A. Hosea, Joel. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1997.

Griffin, William Paul. The God of the Prophets : An Analysis of Divine Action. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997.

Guenther, Allen R. Hosea, Amos. Scottdale, Pa: Herald Press, 1998.

Gunn, D. M., and Danna Nolan Fewell. Narrative in the Hebrew Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.

OBST 665

Page 7 of 12

Leggett, Donald A. Loving God and Disturbing Men : Preaching from the Prophets. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990.

Lintzenich, Robert. Hosea/Obadiah. Nashville, Tenn: Broadman & Holman, 1999.

Mason, Rex. Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Joel. Sheffield, England: JSOT Press, 1994.

Mason, Rex. Micah, Nahum, Obadiah. Sheffield, England: JSOT Press, 1991.

Mills, Watson E. Hosea-Joel. Lewiston, N.Y: Mellen Biblical Press, 2002.

Neusner, Jacob. Micah and Joel in Talmud and Midrash : A Source Book. Lanham, Md: University Press of America, 2007.

Ogilvie, Lloyd John. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah. Dallas: Word Books, 1990.

Paprocki, Joe. Amos, Hosea, Micah : A Call to Justice. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2006.

Petersen, David L. Zechariah 9-14 and Malachi : A Commentary. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995.

Premnath, D. N. Eighth Century Prophets : A Social Analysis. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2003.

Prior, David. The Message of Joel, Micah, and Habakkuk : Listening to the Voice of God. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1999.

Redditt, Paul L. Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi : Based on the Revised Standard Version. Grand Rapids: M. Pickering/HarperCollins, 1995.

Roberts, J. J. M. Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah : A Commentary. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1991.

Robertson, O. Palmer. The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990.

Roop, Eugene F. Ruth, Jonah, Esther. Scottdale, Pa: Herald Press, 2002.

Rose, Wolter H. Zemah and Zerubbabel : Messianic Expectations in the Early Postexilic Period. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 2000.

Salters, Robert B. Jonah & Lamentations. Sheffield, England: JSOT Press, 1994.

OBST 665

Page 8 of 12

Smith, Billy K., and Franklin S. Page. Amos, Obadiah, Jonah. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995.

Smith, Gary V. Hosea, Amos, Micah : The NIV Application Commentary from Biblical Text to Contemporary Life. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House, 2001.

Sykes, Seth. Time and Space in Haggai-Zechariah 1-8 : A Bakhtinian Analysis of a Prophetic Chronicle. New York: P. Lang, 2002.

Taylor, Richard A., and E. Ray Clendenen. Haggai, Malachi. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2004.

Hosea

Ben Zvi, Ehud. Hosea. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.

Daniels, Dwight R. Hosea and Salvation History : The Early Traditions of Israel in the Prophecy of Hosea. New York: W. de Gruyter, 1990.

Davies, Graham I. Hosea. Sheffield, England: JSOT Press, 1993.

Doorly, William J. Prophet of Love : Understanding the Book of Hosea. New York: Paulist Press, 1991.

Holt, Else Kragelund. Prophesying the Past : The use of Israel's History in the Book of Hosea. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995.

Hong, Seong-Hyuk. The Metaphor of Illness and Healing in Hosea and its Significance in the Socio-Economic Context of Eighth-Century Israel and Judah. New York: Peter Lang, 2006.

Keefe, Alice A. Woman's Body and the Social Body in Hosea. New York: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001.

Macintosh, A. A. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Hosea. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1997.

Morris, Gerald Paul. Prophecy, Poetry, and Hosea. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1996.

Nwaoru, Emmanuel O. Imagery in the Prophecy of Hosea. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 1999

OBST 665

Page 9 of 12

Amos

Carroll R., Mark Daniel. Amos-- the Prophet and His Oracles : Research on the Book of Amos. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002.

Carroll R., Mark Daniel. Contexts for Amos : Prophetic Poetics in Latin American Perspective. Sheffield, England: JSOT Press, 1992.

Hasel, Gerhard F. Understanding the Book of Amos : Basic Issues in Current Interpretations. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1991.

Hermanson, Eric Alfr. Metaphor in Zulu : Problems in the Translation of Biblical Metaphor in the Book of Amos. Stellenbosch South Africa: SUN Press, 2006.

Jeremias, Jörg. The Book of Amos : A Commentary. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1998.

Möller, Karl. A Prophet in Debate : The Rhetoric of Persuasion in the Book of Amos. New York: Sheffield Academic Press, 2003.

Park, Aaron W. The Book of Amos as Composed and Read in Antiquity. New York: P. Lang, 2001.

Paul, Shalom M. Amos : A Commentary on the Book of Amos. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1991.

Rilett Wood, Joyce Louise. Amos in Song and Book Culture. New York: Sheffield Academic Press, 2002.

Rosenbaum, Stanley Ned. Amos of Israel. Macon, Ga: Mercer, 1990.

Staton, Cecil P. Interpreting Amos for Preaching and Teaching. Macon, Ga: Smyth & Helwys Pub, 1995.

Steiner, Richard C. Stockmen from Tekoa, Sycomores from Sheba : A Study of Amos' Occupations. Washington, D.C: Catholic Biblical Association of America, 2003.

Obadiah

Ben Zvi, Ehud. A Historical-Critical Study of the Book of Obadiah. New York: Walter de Gruyter, 1996.

OBST 665

Page 10 of 12

Martin, Raymond A., Sylvio Scorza, and Richard E. Whitaker, eds. Obadiah : Computer Generated Tools for the Correlated Greek and Hebrew Texts. Wooster, Ohio: Biblical Research Associates, 1995.

Raabe, Paul R. Obadiah : A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. New York: Doubleday, 1996.

Renkema, Johan. Obadiah. Leuven, Belgium: Peeters, 2003.

Jonah

Ben Zvi, Ehud. Signs of Jonah : Reading and Rereading in Ancient Yehud. New York: Sheffield Academic Press, 2003.

Bolin, Thomas M. Freedom Beyond Forgiveness : The Book of Jonah Re-Examined. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997.

Cook, Stephen L., and S. C. Winter, eds. On the Way to Nineveh : Studies in Honor of George M. Landes. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1999.

Corey, Michael Anthony. Job, Jonah, and the Unconscious : A Psychological Interpretation of Evil and Spiritual Growth in the Old Testament. Lanham, Md: University Press of America, 1995.

Craig, Kenneth M. A Poetics of Jonah : Art in the Service of Ideology. 2nd ed. Macon, Ga: Mercer University Press, 1999.

Gaines, Janet Howe. Forgiveness in a Wounded World : Jonah's Dilemma. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003.

Limburg, James. Jonah : A Commentary. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1993.

Nixon, Rosemary A. The Message of Jonah : Presence in the Storm. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2003.

Perry, T. Anthony. The Honeymoon is Over : Jonah's Argument with God. Peabody, Mass: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006.

Person, Raymond F. In Conversation with Jonah : Conversation Analysis, Literary Criticism, and the Book of Jonah. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1996.

OBST 665

Page 11 of 12

Sasson, Jack M. Jonah : A New Translation with Introduction, Commentary, and Interpretation. New York: Doubleday, 1990.

Sherwood, Yvonne. A Biblical Text and its Afterlives : The Survival of Jonah in Western Culture. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Trible, Phyllis. Rhetorical Criticism : Context, Method, and the Book of Jonah. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994.

Tucker, W. Dennis. Jonah : A Handbook on the Hebrew Text. Waco, Tex: Baylor University Press, 2006.

Wesling, Donald, and Tadeusz Slawek. Literary Voice : The Calling of Jonah. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1995.

Micah

Andersen, Francis I., and David Noel Freedman. Micah : A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. New York: Doubleday, 2000.

Ben Zvi, Ehud. Micah. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

Jacobs, Mignon R. The Conceptual Coherence of the Book of Micah. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001.

McKane, William. The Book of Micah : Introduction and Commentary. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1998.

Runions, Erin. Changing Subjects : Gender, Nation and Future in Micah. London: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001.

Shaw, Charles S. The Speeches of Micah : A Rhetorical-Historical Analysis. Sheffield, England: JSOT Press, 1993.

van der Wal, Adri. Micah : A Classified Bibliography. Amsterdam: Free University Press, 1990.

Wolff, Hans Walter. Micah : A Commentary. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1990.

Nahum

Doudna, Gregory L. 4Q Pesher Nahum : A Critical Edition. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001.

OBST 665

Page 12 of 12

Lanner, Laurel. "Who Will Lament Her?" : The Feminine and the Fantastic in the Book of Nahum. New York: T&T Clark, 2006.

O'Brien, Julia M. Nahum. New York: Continuum, 2002.

Spronk, Klaas. Nahum. Kampen: Kok Pharos, 1997.

Habakkuk

Andersen, Francis I. Habakkuk : A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. New York: Doubleday, 2001.

Connolly, Seán. Bede : On Tobit and on the Canticle of Habakkuk. Portland, OR: Four Courts Press, 1997.

Haak, Robert D. Habakkuk. New York: E.J. Brill, 1992.

O'Neal, G. Michael. Interpreting Habakkuk as Scripture : An Application of the Canonical Approach of Brevard S. Childs. New York: Peter Lang, 2007.

Zephaniah

Ben Zvi, Ehud. A Historical-Critical Study of the Book of Zephaniah. New York: De Gruyter, 1991.

Berlin, Adele. Zephaniah : A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. New York: Doubleday, 1994.

Sweeney, Marvin A., and Paul D. Hanson, eds. Zephaniah : A Commentary. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003.

Vlaardingerbroek, J. Zephaniah. Leuven, Belgium: Peeters, 1999.