The Book of the Twelve Prophets in Biblical Scholarship

3:30 to 5:30 pm
11/17/2023
Conference Room 1

In 2023 we will continue to explore “Change and the Book of the Twelve.” Prophets spoke and wrote with the purpose of eliciting responses from their audiences. This makes change one of the pivotal features of the prophetic phenomenon. Our research group is exploring this phenomenon as it pertains to the Book of the Twelve. A wide variety of questions might be considered: What kinds of change does the Twelve envision? What trajectories of change are traced in the Book of the Twelve? How is change engendered, and what role did prophets have in this? Who is targeted for change, and why? What are the political, social, economic, theological, and psychological dimensions of change? How do “characters” within the Twelve change? How does the concept of change inform an understanding of God? How does it inform the depiction of the past and frame the depiction of the future? For more information, please contact Beth M. Stovell ([email protected]), George Athas ([email protected]), and Daniel Timmer ([email protected]).

Daniel Timmer, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Presiding (5 min)

Aaron Woods, Asbury Theological Seminary
“Does Disaster Befall a City Unless the LORD Has Done It?" The Book of Amos and the Rhetoric of a Disaster (30 min)

Shih-En Kuo, Wycliffe College
When Compassion and Vengeance Meet: Reutilization and Reimagination of the Golden Calf in the Book of the Twelve (30 min)

Joel Barker, Heritage College & Seminary
Renewed, Rebuked, Replaced: Change in the Vision of Leadership in the Haggai—Malachi Corpus (30 min)

Roundtable Discussion (25 min)

The Book of the Twelve Prophets in Biblical Scholarship 
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
11/18/2022
Plaza Court 2 (Plaza Tower - Concourse Level) - Sheraton Downtown (SD)

This year we will begin a new topic on “Change and the Book of the Twelve.” Prophets spoke and wrote with the purpose of eliciting responses from their audiences. This makes change one of the pivotal features of the prophetic phenomenon. Our research group wishes to explore this phenomenon as it pertains to the Book of the Twelve. Several questions might be asked. What kinds of change does the Twelve envision? What trajectories of change are traced in the Book of the Twelve? How is change engendered, and what role did prophets have in this? Who is targeted for change, and why? What are the political, social, economic, theological, and psychological dimensions of change? How do “characters” within the Twelve change? How does the concept of change inform an understanding of God? How does it inform the depiction of the past and frame the depiction of the future? For more information, please contact Beth M. Stovell ([email protected]), George Athas ([email protected]), and Daniel Timmer ([email protected]).

Daniel Timmer, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Presiding (5 min)

Beth Stovell, Ambrose University and Daniel Timmer, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Change and the Book of the Twelve (30 min)

Amy N. Allan, Wheaton College
From Fiery Anger to Exuberant Joy: The Rhetorical Purpose of Depicting God with Emotions in the Book of the Four (30 min)

David Zamora, Wheaton College
Leadership in Zechariah as a model for social change: Janzen’s paradigms and Latin America’s future (30 min)

Roundtable Discussion (25 min)

11/19/2021
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Room: Conference Room 9 - Marriott Rivercenter

The Book of the Twelve Prophets in Biblical Scholarship group focuses on synchronic approaches to the study of the Book of the Twelve/the Minor Prophets. This year we will continue to explore the theme of "Empire, Power, and Politics in the Twelve."

Beth M. Stovell, Ambrose Seminary of Ambrose University, Presiding (5 min)

Amy N. Allan, Wheaton College
Power, Metaphor and Divine Judgment in Hosea 2 (30 min)

Gary Edward Schnittjer, Cairn University
The Gospel according to the King of Nineveh: How Jonah's King of Nineveh offers Hope to Joel's Congregation (30 min)

Chelsea Mak, Emory University
'Therefore the Land Mourns': Deportation, Desolation and  Imperial Politics in the  Book of the Twelve (30 min)

Roundtable Discussion (25 min)

This year we will continue to explore the theme of “Empire, Power, and Politics in the Twelve.”

• Beth Stovell, Ambrose University College and Seminary, Welcome (5 min)
• Daniel Somboonsiri, Wheaton College
  Micah 3:9–4:12 as Social Imagination (25 min)
• Discussion (5 min)
• David Fuller, McMaster Divinity College
  Habakkuk as ‘Hinge’ between Nahum and Zephaniah: Thematic Connections and Editorial Arrangement (25 min)
• Discussion (5 min)
• George Athas, Moore Theological College
  One God and One Nation: The Unity of Israel in the Face of Imperial Politics and Internal Division (25 min)
• Discussion (5 min)
• Roundtable Discussion (25 min)

This year we will continue to explore the theme of “Empire, Power, and Politics in the Twelve.”

• Colin Toffelmire, Ambrose University College, Presiding
• George Athas, Moore Theological College
  Empire, Power, and Politics in the Twelve: Setting the Scene (20 min)
• Discussion (10 min)
• Joel Barker, Heritage College & Seminary
  The Place of Zion in the Political Landscape of the Twelve (20 min)
• Discussion (10 min)
• Daniel Timmer, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
  Empires, Power, and Politics across the Twelve: YHWH, National Identity, and Destiny (20 min)
• Discussion

This year we will continue to explore the theme of “Theodicy and Hope in the Book of the Twelve” with invited papers.

• Beth Stovell, Ambrose University College and Seminary, Presiding

• Heath Thomas, Oklahoma Baptist University
  Hope through Human Trafficking? Theodicy in Joel 4:4–8 (30 min)

• Michael Floyd, Independent Scholar
  The Hope of Habakkuk in the Anthropocene Age (30 min)

• Grace Ko, Tyndale University College and Seminary (Ontario)
  Theodicy and Hope in the Book of the Twelve (30 min)

• Discussion (20 min)

This year we will continue to explore the theme of “Theodicy and Hope in the Book of the Twelve.” We welcome paper submissions using diverse methods, as well as papers that focus on the analysis of texts (of whatever scope) within the Twelve. Papers will be circulated to the group by 15 September 2016. During the session itself presenters will provide a short (10 mins) synopsis of their papers, followed by an extended time of discussion. 

• Colin Toffelmire, Ambrose University, Presiding

• Daniel Timmer, FTE-Acadia University
  ‘Ah, Assyria (Is No More)!’ Retribution, Theodicy, and Hope in Nahum (25 min)

• Anthony Pyles, McMaster Divinity College
  ‘Esau have I Hated,’ but what of Edom? Ethnic Identity and Unpardonable Sins in the Twelve (25 min)

• David Fuller, McMaster Divinity College
  The Triumph of Hope in Habakkuk (25 min)

• George Athas, Moore Theological College
  The Failure of Davidic Hope? Configuring Theodicy in Zechariah and Malachi in Support of a Davidic Kingdom (25 min)

• Discussion (10 min)