Content

This unit will introduce the concepts of justice in the teaching of Israel’s prophets, giving attention to key prophetic texts in their historical and social contexts. The focus for exegetical studies will be texts selected from Amos, Isaiah and Jeremiah. The relevance of these texts will be discussed in relation to the dynamic biblical dialogue about the nature of sin, the role of law and the impact of social and economic change on Israel’s understanding of divine will.

Unit code: BA3002W

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate detailed knowledge of selected prophetic texts on the theme of justice;

2.

Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the social, economic, religious issues underlying these texts

3.

Analyse biblical texts using a variety of approaches to interpretation;

4.

Appreciate the variety of biblical concepts of justice;

5.

Reflect theologically on the inner-biblical dialogue between prophecy and law.

Unit sequence

36 points in Hebrew Bible

Pedagogy

Lectures, tutorials, online interaction

Indicative Bibliography

  • Abernethy, A. et al. (eds) Isaiah and Imperial Context. Eugene: Pickwick, 2014.
  • Anderson, G.A. Sin: A History. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009.
  • Chapman, S.B. The Law and the Prophets. Tübingen: Mohr/Siebeck, 2000.
  • Coomber, M.J.M. (ed) Bible and Justice: Ancient Texts, Modern Challenges (London: Equinox, 2011).
  • Gossai, H. Justice and Righteousness in the Social Critique of the Eighth-Century Prophets. New York: Peter Lang, 1993.
  • Houston, W. Contending for Justice: Ideologies and Theologies of Social Justice in the Old Testament. London: T&T Clark, rev edn 2008.
  • Janowski, B., and Stuhlmacher, P. (eds) The Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 in Jewish and Christian Sources. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004.
  • Leclerc, T.L. Yahweh Is Exalted in Justice: Solidarity and Conflict in Isaiah. Philadelphia: Fortress, 2001.
  • Reventlow, H.G. and Hoffman, Y. (eds) Justice and Righteousness: Biblical Themes and their Influence. Sheffield: JSOT, 1992.
  • Weinfeld, M. Social Justice in Ancient Israel. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1995.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay 2,000 words

2000 40.0
Exegesis

Exegesis 2,000 words

2000 40.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Online tutorial participation (not fewer than 5 entries of approx 200 words) 1,000 words

1000 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 16 Oct, 2019

Unit record last updated: 2019-11-14 12:20:50 +1100