Rel A 302: The Old Testament (1 Kings - Malachi)

Winter 2009 section 1

MW 9–9:50 a.m., 213 JSB

Dr. Eric D. Huntsman

TA: Megan Kesler, megkesler@gmail.com

Winter 2009 syllabus

Course Description: Rel A 302 is an introductory survey to the second half of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, commonly known as the "Old Testament." In addition to reading much of 1 Kings thru Malachi, this course will introduce students to the basic historical context and the literary and theological issues that surround this important work of scripture.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes: This section of Rel 302 has three major objectives, which are in harmony with the College of Religious Education’s Learning Outcomes (see Appendix B):

First, to increase the student’s knowledge of the second half of the Old Testament—that is, to familiarize him or her more fully with its basic storylines, characters, themes and theological concepts.

Second, to help the student read, analyze, discuss, and write about the Bible as both a source of scriptural knowledge and as a sacred text, examining them in their historical, literary, and theological contexts.

Third, to strengthen individual testimonies of sacred truths, particularly by an increased understanding God and his interactions with his people throughout history.

Class discussions, quizzes, exams, and the paper will all be formatted with these three overarching objectives in mind. Although both instruction and positive spiritual experiences in class will assist students in seeking the Holy Ghost as an aid in studying and pondering LDS scripture, doctrine and history, the greatest spiritual experiences that students will have this semester will most likely take place outside of class during their individual reading and class preparation as they seriously, and prayerfully, study the scriptures themselves.

 

Commentaries and Other References: The greatest benefits from scripture study come from reading, pondering, and praying about the scriptures themselves. Still, serious, university-level study of scripture can often be aided by looking at or consulting various commentaries. A few such works that some may find useful in their lifelong study of the Old Testament include the following:

Atlas of the Bible Lands. Hammond World Atlas Corporation, 2007. [Hammond]

Bandstra, Barry L. Reading the Old Testament. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth Publishing Co. , 1999. [Bandstra, excerpts online]

The HarperCollins Study Bible. Revised and Updated. Harold W. Attridge, general editor. News York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2006.

Ludlow, Daniel H. A Companion to Your Study of the Old Testament. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1981.

The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Mich.: Zondervan, 1984.

Rasmussen, Ellis T. A Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1993. [Rasmussen, excerpts in packet]

Soggin, J. Alberto. Introduction to the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden. Third Edition. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1989.

Studies in Scripture vol. 3: Genesis to 2 Samuel. Edited by Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989. [SS 3, excerpt online]

Studies in Scripture vol. 4: 1 Kings to Malachi. Edited by Kent P. Jackson. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1993. [SS 4, excerpts in packet]

In addition to the introductions and reference works above, for papers and future in-depth research students should be aware of major commentary series such as the following:

The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries. John J. Collins, General Editor. New Haven: Yale University Press.

The Forms of the Old Testament Literature. Series Editors: Rolf P. Knierim, Gene M. Tucker, and Marvin A. Sweeney. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans.

The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Edited By: Robert L. Hubbard Jr. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans.

The Old Testament Library. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.

A volume or volumes is published for each biblical book in these series.

 

Class Schedule

Review 1b; Notable Passages list 1b

EXAMINATION Tu03–F06Feb; late Sa07Feb

 
  • W04Feb The Kingdom is Divided. The arrogance of Rehoboam; northern tribes secede; Jeroboam I and the northern kingdom of Israel; the "sin of Jeroboam" and judgment on his house; the Man of God and the prophet of Bethel; Abijam and Asa in Judah; the View of the Chronicler’s Historian.
  • Reading: Skinner, "Kings and Prophets in Divided Israel," 20–23 (packet, 71–74); Bandstra, 284–86 (online); "Rehoboam," "Ahijah," "Jeroboam (1)," "Shechem," "Dan," "Bethel," and "Calves," BD, 760, 605, 712, 772–73, 652, 621, 629. 1 Kings 11:26–40 (again); 1 Kings 12:1–15:24; Proverbs 15 (again) and 16; 2 Chronicles 10–16.
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  • M09Feb Two Ways in Israel: Ahab and Elijah. Transition in Israel—Baasha, Zimri, and the House of Omri; Ahab, Jezebel, and the worship of Ba’al; Elijah and the drought; Elijah’s triumph over the priests of Baal; his flight to Horeb (Sinai); Jehoshaphat and the alliance between Israel and Judah; the end of Ahab. Outline of 1 Kings 12-22
  • Reading: Skinner, "Kings and Prophets in Divided Israel," 23–29 (packet, 74–80); Pike notes—"Historical Background for the Time of Elijah" (packet, 203–210); Bandstra, 286–289. 1 Kings 15:25–22:53.
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  • W11Feb The Ministry of Elisha. The passing of Elijah’s mantle and his ascent into heaven; Jehoram over Israel; the miracles of Elisha; wickedness in Judah—Jehoram, Ahaziah, and Athaliah; Elisha anoints Jehu, who overthrows the house of Omri; Jezebel and the worship of Baal overthrown; Jehoash repairs the temple and returns to righteousness; Elisha dies.
  • Reading: Skinner, "Kings and Prophets in Divided Israel," 29–32 (packet, 80–84); Pike notes—"Background of for the Time of Elisha" (packet, 211–214); Bandstra, 289–291. 2 Kings 1–13; 2 Chronicles 23–24.
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  • M16Feb PRESIDENTS’ DAY. No Class.
  • Tu17Feb Tuesday is Monday. Revival of Israel in the Shadow of Assyria; Running from the Lord. Revival and decline of Judah under Amaziah; the northern kingdom reaches its apogee under Jeroboam II. The story of Jonah and background of the book that bears his name; his flight from YHWH; the repentance of Nineveh and Jonah’s seeming "discontent."  Outline of Jonah.
  • Reading: "Jonah," "Nineveh," "Assyria," "Amaziah," "Jeroboam (2)," BD, 716, 738, 615–616, 607, 712; Bandstra, 375–377. 2 Kings 14; Jonah 1–4.
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  • W18Feb Preaching of Prophets I. The Nevi’im, especially the Latter Prophets; Book of the Twelve—Assyrian Period; Amos’ mission to Israel.
    •    Outline of Amos.
  • Reading: "Amos," BD, 607–608; Ogden, "The Book of Amos" (packet, 91–100); Bandstra, 204–205, 209–214, 350–359 (online). Amos 1–9.
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  • M23Feb Preaching of Prophets II. Hoshea, a northern prophet; the message of spiritual unfaithfulness.
    • Outline of Hosea.
  • Reading: "Hosea," BD, 705; Brown, "The Book of Hosea" (packet, 101–108); Bandstra, 359–362 (online). Hosea 1–14.
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  • W25Feb The Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Succession of kings in Judah and Israel; Isaiah’s call; the Syrian-Ephramite War and Isaiah’s messages to Uzziah (Azariah) and Ahaz; Hoshea and the exile of Israel.  Selections from the outlines of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah
  • Reading: "Tiglath-pileser," "Shalmaneser," and Samaritans," BD, 785, 772, 768; Pike notes—"Historical Background of the Fall of Israel" (packet, 215–218); Bandstra, 303–308 (online). 2 Kings 15–17; 2 Chronicles 26–28; Isaiah 6–10 (contemporary applications for chs 7 and 9).
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  • M02Mar Hezekiah and the Assyrian Threat Averted. The reforms of Hezekiah—the Great Passover; Jerusalem under Hezekiah; he rebels against Assyria; Isaiah’s message; the Lord defeats the invasion of Sennacherib; Hezekiah’s fall.  Selections from the outlines of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah
  • Reading: "Hezekiah," "Hezekiah’s Tunnel," and "Sennacherib," BD, 702, 771; Skinner, "The Reign of Hezekiah" (packet, 117–121); Pike notes—"Historical Background of Isaiah" (packet, 219–224); Bandstra, 292–93 (online). 2 Kings 18–20; 2 Chronicles 29–32; Isaiah 36–39.
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    • Review 2a; Notable Passages list 2a

  • W04Mar Studying Isaiah I.  Background of Isaiah and his prophecies; compositional theories; Book of Mormon keys for understanding Isaiah; the "Book of Judgment" (chs. 1–39). Take-home quiz 2 distributed.  Outline of Isaiah (complete for Rel A 302)
  • Reading: Jackson, "Authorship of the Book of Isaiah" (packet, 123–128); Bandstra, 300–303 (online). 2 Nephi 25: 1–8; Isaiah 1–5, 7 and 9 (messianic applications), 11–14, 24–27.
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  • M09Mar Take-home quiz 2 due. Studying Isaiah II. Isaiah’s "Book of Comfort" or perhaps the "Book of Reconciliation" (chs, 40–55); his "Admonitions to Restored Judah and Future Israel " (chs. 56–66).
  • Reading: Pike notes—"Literary Quality of Isaiah" (packet, 225–228); Bandstra, 309–316 (online); Isaiah 40–45, 48–53, 55, 58; 61–66.
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  • W11Mar Preaching of Prophets III; Reforms of Josiah. Micah, Isaiah’s younger contemporary; wickedness of Manasseh and righteousness of Josiah; Josiah falls at har Megiddon; prophets during the period of Babylonian threat—[Zephaniah], [Nahum], Habakkuk, [Obadiah], and perhaps Joel. outlines for Micah, Habakkuk, and Joel
  • Reading: "Micah," "Josiah," "Joel," "Armageddon," "Habakkuk," BD 731–32, 718, 714, 614, 697; Bandstra, 362–368, 373–375 (online). Micah 1–7; 2 Kings 21–23; 2 Chronicles 33–35; Joel 1–3; Habakkuk 1–3.
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    • Review 2b; Notable Passages list 2b

    EXAMINATION 2  Th12–F13Mar; late Sa14Mar

     

    Review 3b, Notable Passages 3b

    Sa18Apr FINAL EXAM, 7–10:00 a.m. (in-class!)