NORTH PARK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THE BOOK OF ISAIAH

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1 NORTH PARK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THE BOOK OF ISAIAH 2014 January 6 th th Five Day Intensive You must purchase and read/respond to the textbooks before the class begins. All other reading resources-articles can be found posted on the google site for this course. The link will be made available. BIBL 5141 Three Semester Hours Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Professor James Bruckner, Ph.D. jbruckner@northpark.edu Welcome to the Course Welcome to the study of Isaiah ( The LORD [Yahweh] saves ). This seminary graduate course is a study of the message and theology of the book of Isaiah and its relevance for worship and preaching. Isaiah is a long and complex book with a long history of interpretation. The power and passion of its poetic oracles of judgment and salvation have been embraced by every generation of readers. Its narrative contexts and use in the NT have created a rich background for the present day interpreter. This three hour graduate course requires a lot of reading and writing, mostly after the intensive January week. Please see this syllabus for details. You may of course, elect to read ahead of time. In addition to your textbooks (see below), you will need to use a significant theological library to research your assignments. Many of the commentaries on Isaiah are in the Reference section of the North Park University library on the first floor. You should begin this course by reading the first seven chapters of the primary document (Isaiah!). You may use any good English translation of the original Hebrew (Masoretic Text). It would be helpful to have two translations so that you can compare them. Table of Contents Course Description... 1 Required Textbooks... 1 Course Requirements: In Outline... 2 Course Requirements: In Detail (in case you want to know more.)... 2 Course Grading... 6 Class Schedule... 7 Select Bibliography for the Book of Isaiah... 8 Course Description This course involves reading the book of Isaiah and its various interpretations. It seeks to provide knowledge of the over-arching content (events, characters, themes) and original cultural and historical settings. Attention will be given to literary genres, critical issues, and inter-biblical interpretations as they aid the interpretation of Isaiah s text. The goal is to prepare students to appreciate, interpret, and teach from Isaiah in ministries of the Church. Required Textbooks Seitz, C. editor. Reading and Preaching the Book of Isaiah (Wipf and Stock, 2002). ISBN 13: (about $13.00) The New Interpreter s Bible volume 6, edited by L. Keck, D. Petersen, et al. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2001). Available on amazon.com (search for The New Interpreter s Bible volume 6) for $ This volume has several self-contained commentaries: The Book of Isaiah 1-39 by Gene Tucker and The Book of Isaiah by Christopher R. Seitz. It also includes good commentaries on Jeremiah and Ezekiel. ISBN:

2 Course Requirements: In Brief Outline Successful completion of this course will include the following: BEFORE JANUARY 2 ND : 1) Read the first seven chapters of Isaiah. If you have time, read the whole book. Also read pp in G. Tucker, Isaiah 1-39 and pp in C. Seitz, Isaiah Both sections are in your required textbook (on two hour reserve in the library). They will also be available on the google site by December 1 st. Then write a 500 word summary for each selection before class begins (Due January 3 rd ). DURING JANUARY 2 ND 6 TH : 2) Attend all class sessions. 3) Complete one objective historical exam on the historical background of Isaiah (Friday Jan. 6 th ). After the intensive week, but BEFORE FEBRUARY 25 TH : 4) Keep an annotated record of your reading of secondary sources. See below. 5) Research and write one short paper (1000 words) on a critical/historical issue in a specific Isaiah text. 6) Write two papers on literary or theological themes (1000 words each) or one 3000 word sermon that includes the original historical meaning. Any student preferring to do a major research paper (15 pages) in lieu of #5 and 6 should consult the instructor. Course Requirements: In Detail (in case you want to know more.) 1) Read and Write Before class you should read the Isaiah texts to be covered that day. You could keep a commentary journal in a loose-leaf binder with one page for each chapter of Isaiah. Keep a list of questions that arise when you are reading Isaiah, list the major themes, the literary genres, the literary structure, speaker, audience, etc. This could be the beginning of your own commentary as you add notes from the lectures. Your only written assignments before class begins are the two summaries of the readings named above (Tucker and Seitz). 2) Attend Class. Please be prompt for the beginning of class. We will be taking regular scheduled breaks every hour. Attendance at every class session is a significant part of your grade. 3) Complete one objective (historical) exam. The exam will examine your understanding of the original historical and social backgrounds of the book of Isaiah (8 th -6 th century B.C.). The exam will contain objective short-answer questions concerning your knowledge of the basic facts from the lectures, biblical text, and reading assignments. I will give you brief study-guide at the beginning of the class. The guide will give you an idea of what may be included. The exam will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday January 6 th. 4) Keep an annotated record of your weekly reading of secondary sources. Create a log to keep track of your reading. List the assigned source that you have read and make a brief comment (annotation) characterizing its content and author s interest and purpose. For Example: Bright, John. A History of Israel, chapter 7. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1981, third edition. This is an orientation to the historical situation of Israel and Judah in the latter half of the eighth century B.C. It is good background information for understanding the first part of Isaiah (More can be added, but not more than a paragraph or so for each entry.) This kind of annotated bibliography is due for all the assigned reading. Each book chapter and each article should have its own entry. Following below is your reading list Please read and annotate the following articles. They are all posted on the google site. 2

3 You can also find them in paper copy on reserve in the NPU library. Include one entry for each of the following: Elizabeth Achtemeier in Reading and Preaching, edited by Seitz, C. pp (This is in one of your textbooks.) Tate, M. The Book of Isaiah in Recent Study in Forming Prophetic Literature (JSOTS 235) James Luther Mays in Reading and Preaching, edited by Seitz, C. pp R. R. Willson in Reading and Preaching, edited by Seitz, C. pp Holmgren, F. The Concept of God as Redeemer in the Old Testament in The Covenant Quarterly 19 (May 1961) Williamson, H.G.M. Recent Study of the Book Called Isaiah in The Book Called Isaiah, (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1994) Paul D. Hanson in Reading and Preaching, edited by Seitz, C. pp Juel, D. Rules of the Game: Biblical Interpretation in the First Century B.C.E. in Messianic Exegesis, Dodd, C.H. According to the Scriptures: the Sub-structure of New Testament Theology, chapter three. Please complete your reading and send me your annotated log by February 28 th 5) Research and write a short paper, reporting on a critical issue in a specific Isaiah text. This research based exercise requires that you condense much material into a brief presentation. Allow plenty of time for your research and for preparing your report of research. Content and Form Each student will present a summary of research on a critical issue from the Isaiah text. Choose your issue by reading the critical commentaries and their varying opinions of the meaning of any portion of your assigned text. Do not attempt to cover more than a short selection of verses! Narrow your focus to one issue or portion of the text. Include the following in your report: 1) a description of the interpretive issue (it may be textual, historical, theological, or literary) 2) a description of the main solutions (three, if possible) proposed by different commentators 3) a comparison of the relative merits of the solutions for resolving the interpretive issue. Format 1000 words. Cite all sources in parentheses within the text of the paper (Author, page #). Include a full source citation as a bibliography at the end of the paper. Sources A list of reliable recommended sources is included in this syllabus. Many of them are in the Reference section of the Library. From the sources listed in this syllabus, you must consult at least five commentaries. Cite all the books used for your report. Citation of sources should include: Author, Title (City: Publisher, date) page numbers. Due Please complete your reading and send your report on a critical issue by February 25th to jbruckner@northpark.edu. 6) Writing Assignment Instructions for Two Thematic Papers (or one sermon). A list of literary and theological themes will be provided in class. Format 3

4 1000 words each. Cite all sources in parentheses within the text of the paper (Author, page #). Include a full source citation as a bibliography at the end of the paper. Content Your papers should: 1) describe a recurring theological theme or a literary genre in the book of Isaiah. 2) provide detail of its occurrence in Isaiah (list the texts), 3) describe its literary function, and 4) describe its use and development within the book. 5) Key words and phrases should be noted (if possible in the original languages from the MT and LXX). Sources Commentaries, introductions to the OT, and theological dictionaries are good sources for research. Cite at least five sources. One of them must be a theological journal article. You can find such articles by using the online ATLA search. [Go to Then click on ATLA Religion Database; this will bring up the search page. Search for your text (e.g. Isaiah 23) using the Title field. If you need help using this resource contact the T.A. or the Reference Librarian on duty.] Due Please send your papers or sermon by February 25th to jbruckner@northpark.edu Sermon Guidelines (an optional assignment) You will begin by writing a word proposal which identifies your topic, interest and your choice of text or texts from Isaiah. You must also identify the sociology and setting of the congregation for which your sermon will be written. IMPORTANT NOTES: 1. Make sure that you fully engage the biblical text(s) in its context (no single verses). 2. You must also integrate perspectives from secondary sources on your text(s). Use at least four biblical commentaries for each biblical text in your interpretation. You must cite all sources that you consult (for me, not necessarily in the spoken sermon). 3. Content should include: a) A clear message from the text for the present day b) A clear identification and substantial investigation of the biblical issues involved c) Christian application: How is it related to the good news? d) Rhetorical strength: Will it preach to convince, convict, and convert? e) Canonical strength: How is it related to the rest of the biblical canon and message? d) Homiletic art: appropriate use of non-biblical material 4. You may use any standard format for your references, including Turabian, APA, or University of Chicago. However, all references must be complete (author, title, publisher, date and place of publication, page number and/or website). Periodicals must have volume and issue numbers. Footnote all quotes or borrowed ideas. 5. Format: a) typed, double-spaced, one inch margins b) white background, black type c) 12 point typeface, standard fonts (Times, Roman, Courier, Arial, etc.) d) section headings to reflect paper outline 4

5 e) cover sheet with your name, address, phone number and address, course name and number with instructor s name and current date. Final Paper Guidelines (an optional assignment) Write a 4000 word final paper (fifteen pages). You may discuss your proposal via with the professor to design the research strategy: jbruckner@northpark.edu. You will begin by writing a word proposal which identifies your topic, interest and your choice of text or texts from Isaiah. IMPORTANT NOTES: 1. Make sure that you fully engage the biblical texts in their contexts (no single verses). 2. You must also integrate perspectives from secondary sources on your text(s). You must engage a minimum of 15 references. These must include commentaries and journal articles. Use at least four biblical commentaries for each biblical text in your interpretation. You must cite all sources that you consult. 3. Content should include: a) a strong thesis statement with a logical defense, b) a clear identification and substantial investigation of the biblical issues involved, c) This paper should be an argument in support of your thesis statement, fully supported by data. It is not merely a report of information collected about your thesis. 4. You may use any standard format for your references, including Turabian, APA, or University of Chicago. However, all references must be complete (author, title, publisher, date and place of publication, page number). Periodicals must have volume and issue numbers. Footnote all quotes or borrowed ideas. 5. Format: a) typed, double-spaced, one inch margins b) white background, black type c) 12 point typeface, standard fonts (Times, Roman, Courier, Arial, etc.) d) section headings to reflect paper outline e) cover sheet with your name, address, phone number and address, course name and number with instructor s name and current date. A valuable resource for all seminary students during seminary years and beyond is the following: Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: a Comprehensive Guide to Biblical the Theological Resources. 10 th edition. Grand Rapids: Kregel, Academic Honesty In keeping with our Christian heritage and commitment, North Park University is committed to the highest possible ethical and moral standards. Just as we will constantly strive to live up to these high standards, we expect our students to do the same. To that end, cheating of any sort will not be tolerated. Students who are discovered cheating are subject to discipline up to and including failure of a course and expulsion. Our definition of cheating includes but is not limited to: 1. Plagiarism the use of another s work as one s own without giving credit to the individual. This includes using materials from the internet. 2. Copying another s answers on an examination. 3. Deliberately allowing another to copy one s answers or work. 4. Signing an attendance roster for another who is not present. 5

6 In the special instance of group work, the instructor will make clear his/her expectations with respect to individual vs. collaborative work. A violation of these expectations may be considered cheating as well. For further information on this subject you may refer to the Academic Dishonesty section of the University s online catalog. General Course Grading Participation (attendance with texts read) 30%; Summaries of Seitz and Tucker 10%; annotated reading record 10%; Historical Exam 20%; Three short papers (or one short paper and a sermon) 30%. A B C D

7 Class Schedule We will meet every day Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. We will take hourly breaks. Monday January 6 th Lecture 1.1: Introduction to the Course Lecture 1.2: Introduction to the Book of Isaiah Lecture 1.3: Isaiah 1-5 Lunch Lecture 2.1: Literary Genres and Poetics in Isaiah Lecture 2.2 Isaiah 6-7 Tuesday January 7 th Lecture 3.1 Isaiah 7-11 Lecture 3.2: Isaiah Lunch Lecture 4.1: Isaiah Lecture 4.2: Isaiah Lecture 4.3: Hermeneutics and the History of Interpretation Wednesday January 8 th Lecture 5.1: Introduction to Isaiah and Isaiah 40 Lecture 5.2: Isaiah 41-44:23 Lecture 5.3: Isaiah 44:24-48:22 Lunch Lecture 6.1: The Rise of Cyrus the Persian Lecture 6.2: The Suffering Servant; Isaiah Thursday January 9 th Lecture 7.1: Isaiah 54; The Persians Lecture 7.2 Isaiah 55: past, present, future Lecture 7.3 Isaiah Lunch Lecture 8.1 Isaiah 60-61: past, present, future Lecture: 8.2 Isaiah in the NT Lecture 8.3 Isaiah Friday January 10 1:00 p.m. +Historical Exam on the background of the Book of Isaiah. (A study guide will be provided). 7

8 Select Bibliography for the Book of Isaiah Remember that your three textbooks are also good sources for research. Research journal articles on special topics and on most individual biblical text in Isaiah can be found by searching the NPU Library resource ATLA. Some are also listed in your textbook bibliographies. [Go to ; Then click on ATLA Religion Database; this will bring up the search page. Search for your biblical text using the Title field. If you need help using this resource contact the T.A. or the Reference Librarian on duty.] These may be found on the first floor of the Library in the Reference Section, beginning with call number BS1515. Baltzer. Isaiah (Hermenia) Childs, B. Isaiah (OTL Series) Clements, R.E. Isaiah 1-39 (NCBC) Hanson. Isaiah (Interpretation) Kaiser, O. Isaiah 1-12 (OTL) Kaiser, O. Isaiah (OTL) Knight, Isaiah (International Theological Commentary) Knight, Isaiah (International Theological Commentary) Oswalt, J. Isaiah 1-39 (NICOT) Oswalt, J. Isaiah (NICOT) Quinn-Miscall, P.D. Reading Isaiah: Poetry and Vision Seitz, C. Isaiah 1-39 (Interpretation) Westermann, C. Isaiah (OTL Series) Whybray. Isaiah (NCB) Wilderberger. Isaiah 1-12 (Continental Commentary) Wilderberger. Isaiah (Continental Commentary) Wilderberger. Isaiah (Continental Commentary) Widyapranawa. Isaiah 1-39 (International Theological Commentary) You may also want to consult the following (use the library catalogue to find them). The commentary series volumes would be quite helpful. Barton, J. Isaiah 1-39 (T&T Clark Study Guides) Blenkinsopp, J. Isaiah 1-39 (Anchor Bible) Blenkinsopp, J. Isaiah (Anchor Bible) Blenkinsopp, J. Isaiah (Anchor Bible) Brueggemann, W. Isaiah 1-39 (WBC Series) Brueggemann, W. Isaiah (WBC Series) Childs, B. Isaiah in Introduction to the OT as Scripture Childs, B. The Struggle to Understand Isaiah as Christian Scripture (2004) Clines, D.J.A. I, He, We, and They: a literary approach to Isaiah 53 Conrad, E. Reading Isaiah Dodd, C.H. According to the Scriptures: the Sub-structure of New Testament Theology Dorsey, D. The Literary Structure of the Old Testament Heschel, A. The Prophets Holladay, W. Unbounded by Time: Isaiah Still Speaks Juel, D. Messianic Exegesis Koole, J. Isaiah III, vol. 3 : Isaiah (HCOT) Limburg, J. The Prophets and the Powerless Mettinger, Tryggve. Farewell to the Servant Songs Moyter, J. Isaiah (Tyndale OT) Muilenburg, J. Isaiah in The Interpreter s Bible Oswalt, J. Isaiah (NIVAC) Pao, D. Acts and the Isaianic New Exodus Peskett, H. Isaiah: Trusting God in Troubled Times (IVP LifeGuide) 8

9 von Rad, G. Old Testament Theology, vol. 2 Sawyer, J. The Fifth Gospel Schmitt, J. J. Isaiah and His Interpreters. Scott, R.B.Y. Isaiah 1-39 in The Interpreter s Bible Seitz, C. Zion s Final Destiny *Stromberg, Jacob. An Introduction to the Study of Isaiah (2011) Watts, J.D.W. Isaiah 1-33 (Word Commentary vol. 24) Watts, J.D.W. Isaiah (Word Commentary vol. 25) Watts, Rikki. Isaiah s New Exodus in Mark More specialized books may be found in the Library third floor stacks between the call numbers BS 1515 and Here is a sampling. Bellinger, W., ed. Jesus and the Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 and Christian Origins Firth, D.G. and Williamson, H.G.M, Interpreting Isaiah: Issues and Approaches (2009) Holmgren, F. With Wings as Eagles Irvine, S.A. Isaiah, Ahaz, and the Syro-Ephraimitic Crisis de Jong, M.J. Isaiah among the Ancient Near Eastern Prophets: A Comparative Study of the Earliest Stages of the Isaiah Tradition and the Neo-Assyrian Prophecies (1997) Koole, J. Isaiah III, vol. 1 : Isaiah (HCOT) Koole, J. Isaiah III, vol. 2 : Isaiah (HCOT) Leclerc, T. Yahweh is Exalted in Justice Luther, M. Lectures on Isaiah in Luther s Works, vols. 16, 17, and 35 Melugin, R. and Sweeney, M. eds. New Visions of Isaiah Neubauer, A. Fifty-third Chapter of Isaiah according to the Jewish Interpreters, vol. 2 Neubauer, A. The Suffering Servant according to Jewish Interpretation, vol. 1 Nielson, Kristen. There is Hope for a Tree: Tree as metaphor in Isaiah (JSOTS 65) Seitz, C. Reading and Preaching the Book of Isaiah Sommer, B. A Prophet Reads Scripture: allusion in Isaiah Watts, J. & House, P. eds, Forming Prophetic Literature Wonsuk, M. Until the Spirit Comes: the Spirit of God in the book of Isaiah (JSOTS 271) Williamson, H.G.M. The Book Called Isaiah Williamson, H.G.M. Variations on a Theme: King, Messiah and Servant in the Book of Isaiah Commentary Series with volumes on Isaiah AB Anchor Bible BO Berit Olam CBC Cambridge Bible Commentary HBC Harper Bible Commentary IBC Interpretation: A Commentary for Teaching and Preaching ICC International Critical Commentary ITC International Theological Commentary NCBC New Century Bible Commentary NIB New Interpreter s Bible NIBC New International Biblical Commentary NICOT New International Commentary on the Old Testament NIVAC The NIV Application Commentary OTL Old Testament Library OTG Old Testament Guides TOTC Tyndale Old Testament Commentary WBC Word Biblical Commentary WeBC Westminster Bible Companion WEC Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary A valuable resource for all seminary students during seminary years and beyond is the following: Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: a Comprehensive Guide to Biblical the Theological Resources. 10 th edition. Grand Rapids: Kregel,

10 General Reference Blenkinsopp, J. A History of Prophecy in Israel. Chisholm, R. Handbook on the Prophets. [a one volume conservative commentary of prophetic books] Clements, R.E. Old Testament Prophecy: From Oracles to Canon. [introduction to major prophets] Heschel, A.J. The Prophets, (New York: HarperCollins, 2001). [a classic interpretation] Limburg, J. The Prophets and the Powerless (out of print). Peterson, D. editor. Prophecy in Israel. [a collection of seminal articles] Smith, G.V. The Prophets as Preachers. [a one-volume preaching commentary]** Westermann, Claus. Basic Forms of Prophetic Speech [a collection of seminal articles + form critical commentary] Historical Background Bright, John. A History of Israel, 4 th edition, Gottwald, N.K. The Hebrew Bible: A Socio-Literary Introduction, Kee, H.C., et al. The Cambridge Companion to the Bible, Kuntz, J.K. The People of Ancient Israel, Miller, J.M. and Hayes, J.H. A History of Ancient Israel and Judah, Provan, Long, and Longman. A Biblical History of Israel, Schultz, S. The Old Testament Speaks, 4 th edition, Dictionary Introductions to Individual Biblical Books** Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible HarperCollins Bible Dictionary HarperCollins Bible Commentary (one volume) Interpreters The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament Interpreter s Dictionary of the Bible (IDB) and its Supplement (IDBS) Anchor Bible Dictionary (ABD, six volumes) Other one volume commentaries: Interpreters, Peakes, Jeromes Literary and Theological Resources Berlin, A. Poetics and Interpretation of Biblical Narrative. Birch, et al. Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. Brueggemann, W. Theology of the Old Testament: testimony, dispute, advocacy. Childs, B. Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Dorsey, D.A. The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: a commentary on Genesis-Malachi.** Eissfeldt, Otto The Old Testament: an Introduction. Gerstenberger, E. Theologies in the Old Testament. Knierim, R. The Task of Old Testament Theology: Method and Cases. Tate, W. Randolph, Biblical Interpretation. G. von Rad, Old Testament Theology, 2 vols. Bruckner,