Isaiah - Malachi - Reformed Theological Seminary

Introduction - Prophets in Historical Perspective

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

What are the prominent names and descriptions given to prophets in the OT? How do these designations indicate the breadth of prophetism in Israel? Discuss the institutionalization of a prophetic office. How does ANE background help us understand the prophets as functionaries of theocratic statecraft?

Introduction - Prophets in Literary Perspective

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Identify the categories the Hebrew Bible in which we find the writing prophets. What are the main types of prophetic accounts? Give an example of each. What are the main types of prophetic speech? Give an example of each. What is the basic outline of an oracle of judgment and salvation? What is the basic structure of the lawsuit? Discuss the problem of proclamation and inscriptuation of prophetic materials.

Introduction - Prophets in Thematic Perspective

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Explain the importance of divine transcendence for appreciating OT prophets. What difficulties in OT prophecy come to the foreground in the light of divine immanence? What are the major themes of OT covenants? How do these motifs establish God's limitations and latitude in the fulfillment of prophecy? Explain the functions of blessings and curses in OT covenants as expressed in the message of OT prophets.

Introduction - Making Sense of OT Prophecies

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

What are two extreme views on how well OT prophets understood their prophecies? What is Pratt's view? What are two extreme views on the freedom NT writers exercised as they interpreted OT prophecies? What is Pratt's view? Discuss the steps for understanding OT prophecy through awareness of the original meaning, biblical elaborations and modern applications. What are the chief concerns at each level? Illustrate.

Hosea - Introduction

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Describe the place, time and purpose of Hosea's prophetic ministry. What evidences support your views? What are the evidences for the time of final composition of Hosea? What is Pratt's outline of Hosea? What is Pratt's view of the purpose of Hosea?

Hosea - Hosea's Experiences and Announcements

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

What is the literary structure of Hosea 1:1-3:5? Describe Hosea's symbolic experiences of marriage, divorce and remarriage. What were the symbolic values of these events? How did they speak to the readers of Hosea? How is the term "last days" used in OT prophecy? What is its origin? How is it used in the NT? What implications does this have for modern interpretations of OT prophets? What is the literary structure of Hosea 4:1-9:9? What are the historical settings and major themes of Hosea 4:1-9:9? How did these passages speak to the readers of Hosea?

Hosea - Historical Reflection and NT Use

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Why does Pratt speak of Hosea 9:10-14:8 as "historical reflection?" What is the four part structure of this material? Into what historical setting did Hosea speak his "historical reflections?" Support your view. What was the original Judahite audience to learn from this section? In what three ways did the NT use Hosea? Illustrate each. How may we use Hosea following the lead of the NT?

Amos - Introduction and God's People and the Nations

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Discuss the evidence related to the location and time of Amos' ministry. What were the social and religious conditions of that time? Discuss Pratt's view of the time of final composition for Amos. What is the overarching literary structure of Amos? What was the basic purpose of the book? Describe the literary structure of Amos 1:2-3:8. What was the surprise for the original hearers (and readers) contained in this passage? How does Amos 1:2-3:8 demonstrate the variations in judgment for people in the covenant and not in the covenant? Describe the literary structure of Amos 9:11-15. What hopes did this passage offer the original hearers (and readers)?

Amos - Announcements, Visions and NT Use

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

What is the basic literary structure of Amos' announcements? What meaning did this structure have for the original readers? Describe Amos' visions. How does surrounding materials explain the original significance of the visions? How does the NT use the book of Amos? Give an illustration of each. How does NT use help guide our use of Amos?

Joel

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Discuss major views on the date of Joel's ministry. What is Pratt's viewpoint on the date of Joels' ministry and the time of final composition of the book? What is the overarching outline and purpose of the book of Joel? Describe the literary structure of Joel's announcements of judgment. What major themes occur in this section? Describe the literary structure of Joel's announcements of restoration. What hopes for the restoration period does Joel express?

Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah

March 1, 2023 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Discuss the setting of Nahum's ministry, the structure of his book, and the original message of the book. Discuss the setting of Habakkuk's ministry, the structure of his book, and the original message of the book. Discuss the setting of Zephaniah's ministry, the structure of his book, and the original message of the book. How does the NT use Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah help us assess the use of these books in the church today?

Isaiah - Overview of the Book

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Where and when did Isaiah minister? How was he concerned with Assyrian crises and the threat of Babylonian exile? Compare and contrast critical and evangelical outlooks on the unity of Isaiah. What is Pratt's outline for Isaiah? How do the major portions of the book address Assyrian and Babylonian threats? How may we appropriate the message of Isaiah in the church today?

Isaiah - Overview of Isaiah's Message and the Days of Ahaz

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

Waht are the three cycles of Isaiah 1:2-6:13? How do they vary between woe and weal? What was the original purpose of this material? Explain the skeleton of Isaiah's message found in Isaiah 1:2-6:13. Summarize the historical background to the prophecies of Isaiah 7:1-39:8. What are the three main divisions of this material? What are the three facets of OT messianic hope? How did Isaiah bring royal messianic hopes to bear on Ahaz's situation?

Isaiah - International Upheaval and the Days of Hezekiah

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

What historical period is in view in Isaiah 13:1-27:13? How is this material negative and positive? What was its original purpose in the book of Isaiah? What is the literary structure of Isaiah's ministry in Hezekiah's day? How did the Sennacherib invasion demonstrate Hezekiah's trust? How did Hezekiah demonstrate ingratitude? What did Isaiah warn would be the result? What was the meaning of this material fro Isaiah's readers?

Isaiah - Isaiah and the Babylonian Crisis

March 1, 2003 • Dr. Richard L. Pratt

What are the seven main sections of Isaiah 40:1-66:24? How did they come together into their present order? How did Isaiah show that God is able and willing to bring Israel out of exile in Isaiah 40:12-44:23? Describe the role of Cyrus in God's plans for Israel. Support your description with references to Isaiah. Describe the role of the Servant in God's plan for Israel. Support your description with references to Isaiah. Describe Isaiah's focus on human response and divine reaction in the final chapters of his book. Refer to specific passages. Summarize Isaiah's vision of Israel's restoration. How are intervening historical contingencies handled by the NT? How may we apply Isaiah's response to the Babylonian crisis to our day?