Major Prophets

Abstract

Major Prophets Christopher T. Begg, John M. Halligan, and Thomas Hieke 1310. [Prophetic Literature] S. Anthonioz and P. Abadie, "Bulletin d'information 1. Syrie-Phénicie-Palestine: Ancien Testament," Trans 48 (2016) 107-24. In this bulletin, A. and A. survey books and articles concerning the prophetic books that appeared in the years 2013 to 2015 as a follow-up to a previous such survey published in Trans 43 (2013) 136-41. They organize their presentation under five headings: (1) general works; (2) works devoted primarily to Isaiah; (3) works reflecting an interest in prophecy as writing and re-writing; (4) works dealing with the Former Prophets/Dtr; and (5) studies of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve situated between new and older approaches.—C.T.B. 1311. [Prophetic Literature] Ulrich Berges, "Die dunklen Texte der Prophetie als Herausforderung für eine alttestamentliche Ethik," Zehn Worte, 345-73 [see #1581]. Given that the prophetic literature is underrepresented in studies of OT ethics, B. analyzes what the reasons for this might be and how ethically relevant texts can be identified in prophetic literature. B. investigates in particular the implicit ethical assertions within the so-called "dark texts" of prophecy, studying Isa 5:25; 9:16; 13:16-18; 63:3; 66:24 in this regard. Biblical ethics is inseparably linked with biblical theology, so that scholars need to critically reflect on biblical texts with complex or ambiguous conceptions of God. In this connection, B. suggests the concept of "reading against the grain." Biblical ethics, for him, can entail the deconstruction of seemingly fixed norms.—T.H. [End Page 419] 1312. [Prophets] S. Paul Derengowski and Henk Stoker, "A Christian Apologetic Response to the Claim of 'Prophet' by Muhammad and Joseph Smith, Jr.—a Truly Biblical Prophet," TCW 54 (2018) 51-70. Muslims and Mormons around the world claim that their respective founders, Muhammad and Joseph Smith Jr., were prophets of God after the order of the biblical prophets and in accordance with the Bible. To deal apologetically with these claims to prophethood adduced by the two religions, this article presents the biblical definition of a prophet, as well as the characteristics of a true as opposed to a false prophet. The authors' definition of the true prophet pays particular attention to those whom the above religions hold were the exemplars for Muhammad and Joseph Smith among the biblical prophets, i.e., Moses, John the Baptist, and Jesus. In so doing, they lay the foundations for subsequent research on the claims and achievements of both postbiblical figures in order to determine whether they meet the criteria for a biblical prophet laid out in this article. See also #1313. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 1313. [Prophets] S. Paul Derengowski and Henk Stoker, "A Christian Apologetic Response to the Claim of 'Prophet' by the Founders of Islam and Mormonism, Muhammad and Joseph Smith, Jr.—Muhammad," TCW 54 (2018) 119-40. In this follow-up article to a previous piece (see #1312) in the above journal, D. and S. focus on the question of whether the biblical specification concerning prophethood are applicable to Muhammad, the founder of Islam, as he and his followers claim to be the case. This claim is evaluated by D. and S. via a comparison of Muhammad's theology with the doctrine found in the OT and NT, with special attention to what Muhammad believed Jesus to be as well as his understanding of who Deuteronomy 18 refers to. In light of what Muhammad believed himself to be as well his conception of the biblical prophets and of Jesus, as well the divergence between what is said in Islamic history and legend about Muhammad and the warnings in the OT and NT concerning false prophets, D. and S. conclude that Muhammad was not a prophet of God in the order of the biblical prophets. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 1314. [Prophetic Books] Hetty Lalleman, "The Future of the Land and the Earth in the Books of the Prophets," The Earth and the Land, 177-97 [see #1634]. The OT prophetic books make...