Continuity and divergence : a study of Haggai and Zechariah 1-8 in relation to earlier Old Testament prophetic literature
The purpose of this thesis is to make a thematic study of the Books of Haggai and Zechariah 1-6 in order firstly to identify the ways in which classical prophetic methods and traditions are continued and developed in these works and secondly to consider the reasons for any divergence in thought and style. The study is based on the hypothesis that the community of Israel underwent radical change as a result of the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile and that during the restoration period, under Persian rule, fundamental distinctions in theological understanding and the phenomenon of prophecy arose. The thesis contains six major chapters. The first is introductory and considers the composite nature of the books and the possibility of distinguishing and dating the different strata. The second compares the status, authority and roie within the community of Haggai and Zechariah with those of their prophetic predecessors. Chapter three studies the ways in which the prophetic messages were received and transmitted and includes a discussion on the development of angeloiogy. Specific themes which are important in Haggai and Zechariah 1-8 are dealt with in the next three chapters; issues relating to Israel's
Tollington, Janet Elizabeth
Criticism, interpretation, etc ; Prophecies ; Leadership in the Bible
Continuity and divergence : a study of Haggai and Zechariah 1-8 in relation to earlier Old Testament prophetic literature. The purpose of this thesis is to make a thematic study of the Books of Haggai and Zechariah 1-6 in order firstly to identify the ways in which classical prophetic methods and traditions are continued and developed in these works and secondly to consider the reasons for any divergence in thought and style. The study is based on the hypothesis that the community of Israel underwent radical change as a result of the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile and that during the restoration period, under Persian rule, fundamental distinctions in theological understanding and the phenomenon of prophecy arose. The thesis contains six major chapters. The first is introductory and considers the composite nature of the books and the possibility of distinguishing and dating the different strata. The second compares the status, authority and roie within the community of Haggai and Zechariah with those of their prophetic predecessors. Chapter three studies the ways in which the prophetic messages were received and transmitted and includes a discussion on the development of angeloiogy. Specific themes which are important in Haggai and Zechariah 1-8 are dealt with in the next three chapters; issues relating to Israel's
continuity divergence study relation earlier old_testament prophetic literature purpose make thematic study books order firstly identify way classical prophetic method tradition continue developed work secondly consider reason divergence think style study_base hypothesis community israel underwent_radical change fall jerusalem exile restoration period persian rule fundamental distinction theological phenomenon prophecy arose contains major chapter first introductory considers composite nature book possibility distinguish date different stratum second compare status authority within_community prophetic predecessor study way prophetic message receive transmitted include_discussion development specific theme important dealt issue_relate israel