They record the messages communicated by God through this unusual group to the people of Israel. At the same time, as an essential part of sacred scripture, their messages are directed to the believing community today. This course studies the biblical prophets over against the political, social and religious crises of their times, highlighting both their words of judgement and the great images of divine salvation they hold out to a people willing to change. The prophetic words are seen as a necessary divine challenge, stirring up the apathetic to turn or return to a more committed life. The class makes use of lecture and discussion.
Students write three small papers on assigned topics.
There will be a mid-semester and a final examination. In their work in this class students will normally treat one or two issues, with the choice of those issues resting in part on the expertise and interest of the instructor. This course is an examination of the four New Testament gospels, with particular attention to the specific theological message each gospel writer sought to convey by telling the story of Jesus. After a brief historical survey of the New Testament era, the Passion Narratives of the gospels are studied in detail for clues concerning the theological agenda and intended audience of each. Next, a similar treatment is given the resurrection and birth narratives.