STUDY GUIDE FOR ADDITIONAL READING ASSIGNMENT 2
Old Testament Prophecy, by Frank Knight Sanders
Chapters 2-4
Pages 13-34
NOTE REGARDING LIBERAL TENDENCIES
As you read this text, you should be aware that the author shows liberal tendencies, and some of his comments express opinions that Third Millennium does not share. For example: 1) He sometimes gives the impression that he believes the prophetical books of the Bible contain errors and contradictions. Third Millennium clearly holds to the inspiration and inerrancy of all the Scriptures. 2) He also tends to give dates for some of the books much later than evangelicals tend to give. 3) Thirdly, he breaks up the book of Isaiah into many sections, spread over many years, by several different authors. 4) Finally, he places less emphasis on how the Old Testament points to Christ than evangelicals do.
Having said this, the reading has many valuable insights and a lot of helpful information. An important part of studying theology includes developing the capacity to read books that do not totally conform to our standards, and to discern what is valid and what is not valid. To help you in this process, we will quote some of the more liberal comments in the study guides so that you can learn to identify them.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Chapter 2
1. Hosea preached his messages to whom?
2. How did Hosea's married life illustrate God's relationship to Israel?
3. What was the name of Hosea's wife?
4. List some of the characteristics of Isaiah mentioned in the chapter.
5. What advice did Isaiah give to king Ahaz about making an alliance with Assyria?
6. Describe the spirit of Isaiah's messages.
7. When Hezekiah succeeded Ahaz as king of Judah, how did he respond to Isaiah's message?
Chapter 3
1. What is the name of the prophet who, along with Isaiah, preached in Judah during the reign of Hezekiah?
2. Summarize Isaiah's advice to Hezekiah regarding alliances with other nations.
Notice the comment on p. 28:
"These prophets were really predicting that the whole world would ultimately worship Jehovah. They erred only in specifying the exact method by which this was to be brought about."
How do you think this differs from the more conservative evangelical view?
Chapter 4
1. When Manasseh succeeded his father Hezekiah as king of Judah, what was his attitude toward the prophets?
2. Which prophet had much influence on king Josiah, son of Manasseh and grandson of Hezekiah?
Notice the comment on page 31:
"Many scholars regard Zephaniah as probably incapable of assuming the mood of rejoicing expressed in 3 : 14-17. Such think that these verses are, like 2 : 8-11 and 3 : 18-20, a post-exilic addition to Zephaniah's own prophecies."
How do you think this differs from the more conservative evangelical view?
3. How does the author describe Jeremiah?
4. What was king Josiah's attitude toward the Law of God?