The book of Isaiah is more than a collection of prophetic pronouncements. In its canonical form, Isaiah serves as a prism for interpreting the entire Bible, as well as reconstructing the history of Israel and Judah, starting with the eight century bce. Encompassing the most traumatic period in Israel’s history, it juxtaposes fiery words of prophetic indictment, judgment, and punishment, over against divine compassion and hope. Sixty-six chapters cover more than four centuries of prophecies, snippets of historical narrative, and ongoing interpretation of those prophecies by various members of the community of faith over time; an intrabiblical dialogue carried into the New Testament. This course introduces students to the words, characters, events, and theology of the book of Isaiah. More broadly, it examines Isaiah as part of the prophetic tradition and the phenomenon of prophecy, both in Israel and ancient Near East. It studies the literary features, historical context, the people and places involved, as well as themes, issues, and theology of the book of Isaiah, especially in relation to the ways people have interpreted it throughout history, including New Testament writers.
- Teacher: Sarah Bixler
- Teacher: Beth Brunk
- Teacher: Mark Fretz