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2	Five Questions What is a Prophet? What is the Prophetic Experience? What are the Types of Prophets? What is the Prophetic Message? What is the Modern Relevance of the Prophets?
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4	What is a Prophet? Turn to a partner while the music is playing, and answer this question: What words or phrases would you use if someone asked you “What is a biblical prophet?” Be ready by the end of the song to provide your answers.
5	Prophets: Biblical Rap Artists? What are some aspects of rap music that people don’t like? What are some aspects of rap music that people do like?
6	Who do you know wants to be a prophet? “Prophet” derived from Greek prophetes, which means “to speak before.” In Hebrew tradition, prophets are referred to as nābî, which means “one who calls out” or “one who is called.”
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10	"Reading of liver omens" Reading of liver omens Best-attested Ancient Near East divinatory practice Biblical Example: Ezekiel 21:21 Conjuring up the dead Mediums dig hole and pour wine, oil or milk so as to induce dead to come up from Sheol (in order to eat). Biblical Example: Saul calls up Samuel at Endor Casting of lots or dice (Thummim/Urim) Example: Inauguration ceremony of Saul (1 Sam 10:20-21). Numerous Biblical Examples: 1 Samuel 28:6; Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 14:41-42 Reading of stars Biblical Example: Isaiah 47:13 Pouring oil on water and watching the patterns Biblical Example: Genesis 44:5 Observing the flight of birds.
11	Normative Prophetic Experience? There is not one prophetic experience. Some report a “call vision,” others do not. Some use just oracles, some mainly preach through prophetic actions. Some stress social justice, others focus on reforming worship. However: they all seem to be well-educated people who are primarily challenging the powerful and privileged in society.
12	Common Prophetic Function: Analyze the contemporary political and social policies in light of Yahweh’s demands for justice, worship, and faithfulness.
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15	Divisions of the Old Testament
16	The Prophetic Literature in the Bible
17	The Prophetic Literature in the Bible
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19	Prophetic Message in a Nutshell God’s Plan in History God’s power is such that all lies under his control, including destinies of the mightiest nations who are instruments of his policy. All human plans are doomed to futility. To trust in Yahweh’s help and protection is faith, whereas to fail to do so is lack of faith. Condemnation of Pride Pride is the greatest sin – the cause of injustice, immorality, and improper worship. Pride is a contradiction to faith and brings judgment. Social Justice Oppression of weaker members of society offends God’s holiness Corporate sense of punishment: we are all fundamentally bound together, and so is our destiny. No individual salvation apart from the community.
20	Baylor Study on American Piety (September 2006)
21	Prophetic Theology: Truth of Traditions in Tension
22	The Prophetic Message: Balancing the Attributes of God Significance of background of these slides!
23	Preaching Methods Words Oracles Visions Word-plays Narratives Woes Actions Street theater Protest actions Symbolic behavior Naming of children Liturgical Rites
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25	The Way to Read the Prophetic Books The Lens of Historical Context The Importance of Literary Genre or Forms The Composite Nature of the Prophetic Books (editors, corporate authorship)
26	What is the Modern Relevance of Prophets A sense of vocation, of responsiveness to God and responsibility to and for world. A sense of the power of human words and symbolic actions to change the world. A deep awareness of the historical concreteness of living the spiritual life. A profound sense of the social, corporate, and institutional dimensions of human life. A sense of moral decisiveness.