Online Bible Course: The Book of Isaiah

September 20 - October 29, 2010
Sponsored by: The Church of the Brethren's Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center

If you have questions about the course itself, email Susan Jeffers at susan@read-the-bible.org.
For information on registration and fees, or here is the course brochure; you can also contact the SVMC office, Amy Milligan, milligana@etown.edu 717-361-1450.

This webpage was last updated 9/6/2010.

Course Description: In this online course we will study the Old Testament book of Isaiah. We will try to read Isaiah "as if for the first time," paying close attention to what the biblical text actually says and what it might mean. We will consult commentaries and other resources for information about the ancient world and what the Church has thought about this book of the Bible, in an effort to become better equipped for biblically grounded ministry. Students will be expected to read and think about assigned biblical and other texts, to participate in online class discussion, and to learn a bit of the biblical Hebrew language relevant to our study. Students will complete a group study project to engage more deeply with some aspect of the book of Isaiah, demonstrating effective use of resources such as Bible dictionaries and commentaries, and ability to use the Bible in ministry.

Course Format: This course will be conducted online, using "Moodle" online courseware. You will need access to a high-speed Internet connection for an hour or more, at least 4-5 times per week throughout the course. You should plan on a total of 12-15 hours every week for the 6 weeks of the course for reading, online discussion and offline study. If you have questions, contact the instructor, Susan Jeffers, at susan@read-the-bible.org.

3 Required Books - be sure you have them all

(1) NRSV Study Bible, any edition. You are welcome to also use any other translation alongside the NRSV; we use this translation because of its consistent and helpful textual and translational notes, which complement our "little bit of Hebrew" language study.

Optional additional Bible: The Jewish Study Bible, published by Oxford University Press. Available in paperback (ISBN 0195297547) or hardcover (ISBN 0195297512).

(2) Believers Church Bible Commentary Isaiah, by Ivan D. Friesen, Herald Press.

(3) Any recent (10 years old maximum) academic style Bible Dictionary, such as Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, David Noel Freedman, ed., 2000, ISBN 0-8028-2400-5 or A Dictionary of the Bible, 2nd edition, W.R.F. Browning, e.d., 2009, ISBN 9780199543991 or 0199543992 Email the instructor if you're not sure about a particular Bible dictionary.

Hebrew language materials: Each week during the course, I will post a Hebrew lesson with accompanying audio.

The expectation for Hebrew language study is simply that each student spend 1 hour per week working with the materials and taking a quiz. The Hebrew quizzes are online, with no time limit, open book, and the student can re-take them as many times as you wish, with only the highest score counting toward the grade. You are not expected to know any Hebrew at all, prior to the start of the course. I try to make the Hebrew study fun, and not worrisome. On the other hand, if you do happen to have some Hebrew language knowledge, welcome! Please join us! I will also post more advanced optional resources so you can make good use of your Hebrew in this study of the book of Isaiah.

Course Schedule: