Details for Minor Prophets

Towards the back of the Old Testament there are a collection of twelve dusty and usually overlooked prophetic books, known as the Minor Prophets. This unit will blow the dust from the Minor Prophets, to get a glimpse into the ancient history of Israel, the prophets and their God-given message. We will specifically study the Minor Prophets as a collage, to highlight its literary nature, themes, rhetoric as well as its portrayal of Yahweh. Further, you will be encouraged to harness your own ‘prophetic imagination’ so that you can be a messenger of God to your own generation.

Awards offering Minor Prophets

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Master of Arts
• Graduate Certificate in Arts
• Graduate Diploma in Arts

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Critically analyse the literary characteristics, themes and message of OT prophetic literature, including the role of intertextuality;
2. Evaluate the ancient Near East setting of the Minor Prophets with particular emphasis on the theology of comparative religions;
3. Explain and exegete both the primary biblical materials and secondary literature from a range of perspectives, including the reception history of the Minor Prophets;
4. Describe the historical context, content, structure and themes of the Minor Prophets;
5. Critique the use of prophetic literature in contemporary settings.

Subject Content

1. Introduction to the biblical prophetic literature
2. The nature of the Hebrew poetic genre
3. Overview to the socio-historical setting of the Minor Prophets
4. ANE context of the Minor Prophets
5. The main themes of the Minor Prophets
6. The presentation of Yahweh in the Twelve
7. Selected analysis and exegesis
8. Contemporary relevance of the Minor Prophets for Christian spirituality today

This course may be offered in the following formats

• Face to Face (onsite)
• Distance/E-learning (online)
• Intensive (One week: 7 hours per day for 5 days = 35 class hours + approx 85 hours out of class time for research, writing, exam preparation and execution, ancillary activities associated with completion of assigned tasks)

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Assessment Methods

• Creative Project (25%)
• Major Essay (50%)
• Exam (25%)

Prescribed Text

• Primary readings provided