Content

This unit is a study of the book and message of Isaiah. It will consider various traditions of interpretation of this prophetic book, including contemporary approaches. Views on the historical and socio-cultural background to the text, as well as literary analysis of Isaiah will be examined. The exploration into the formation of the book will consider the major theories regarding location, dating and authorship. The call, role and work of the prophet Isaiah will be examined in relation to the prophetic vocation and phenomenon. Exegetical study of selected passages of Isaiah will form a key focus of the unit, including consideration of the relevance of Isaiah’s message for today.

Unit code: BA3003S

Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Proposing College: Stirling College

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate competency in the use of exegetical tools for analysing selected passages from Isaiah

2.

Explore and apply different hermeneutical approaches to Isaiah.

3.

Discuss various perspectives on the background to Isaiah, including its composition, authorship, literary structure and historical context.

4.

Reflect theologically on major themes in Isaiah, including their contemporary relevance.

5.

Effectively use and apply current research on Isaiah

Unit sequence

54 points in Field B including 36 points in Hebrew Bible (BA)

Pedagogy

The online class will include audio and visual material related to each topic, interactive exercises, and individual exegetical tasks.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Isaiah 40-55: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2007.
  • Brueggemann, Walter. Isaiah 1-39. Westminster Bible Companion. Louisville, Ky: Westminster/John Knox Pr, 1998.
  • Brueggemann, Walter. Isaiah 40-66. Westminster Bible Companion. Louisville, Ky: Westminster/John Knox Pr, 1998.
  • Childs, Brevard S. Isaiah. Old Testament Library. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2001.
  • Conrad, Edgar W. Reading Isaiah. Overtures to Biblical Theology. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1991.
  • Darr, Katheryn Pfisterer. Isaiah’s Vision and the Family of God. Literary Currents in Biblical Interpretation. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1994.
  • Goldingay, John. The Theology of the Book of Isaiah. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP, 2014. (Recommended for purchase)
  • Matthews, Victor H. The Hebrew Prophets and Their Social World: An Introduction. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012.
  • O’Brien, Julia M. Challenging Prophetic Metaphor: Theology and Ideology in the Prophets. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008.
  • Oswalt, John N. The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 1-39 . NICOT: Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1986.
  • Oswalt. John N. The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 40-66. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1998.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Literature Survey

Literature Review (1000 words)

1000 20.0
Essay

Thematic Essay (1500 words)

1500 30.0
Exegesis

Exegetical Essay (2500 words)

2500 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 20 Sep, 2021

Unit record last updated: 2021-09-20 16:24:12 +1000