Mod 7 BIBL 700 Case Study in Topic to Thesis Assignment

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Case Study in Topic to Thesis Assignment Christine Young Baker BIBL 700: Introduction to Bible Exposition October 7, 2024

Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 Choosing a Topic (Finding Direction) .......................................................................................... 1 Building A Bibliography (Gathering Resources) ........................................................................ 2 Document Various Positions and Points of Interpretation (Entering Discussion) ................... 3 Document Various Positions and Points of Interpretation (Entering Discussion) ................... 4 Forming A Thesis (Establishing Position) .................................................................................... 5 ii

1 Introduction The purpose of this paper is to utilize the five chapters within the Kibbe book to guide in developing a “research foundation” for an imaginary 25-page research paper involving the Book of Amos. Although this paper will not be the research paper, it will be composed of a five-step document that mirrors the five chapters from the Kibbe book (based on the idea of the “imaginary” research paper). The process of moving from topic (assignment) to thesis (argument) involves these five steps: 1) choosing a topic (finding direction), (2) building a bibliography (gathering resources), (3) documenting and elaborating upon a list of issues (understanding issues), (4) documenting various positions and points of interpretation (entering discussion), and (5) formulating a thesis (establishing position). 1 Choosing a Topic (Finding Direction) I have chosen Judgment to Restoration as my topic for this paper. The Bible is my primary source. My first step was reading the Book of Amos in its entirety. Amos revealed not only the characteristics of who God is with the prophecy of God’s judgment of nations, the Jewish nations, Israel, and Judah. But also God’s plan for His people in restoring them in the Last Days and End Times. I honed in on this topic for my research paper because I could divide the book into three sections, leading me back to my selected topic. Chapter one focused mainly on the judgment of nations. Chapter 2, through the partiality of chapter 9, spoke on the judgment of Israel and Judah. Then, the book's latter part announces the Jewish people's future restoration. According to Kibbe, there are a few questions to ask of the primary source: 1) Which portions are relevant to the topic you already have in place? The Book of Amos was assigned and is to be reviewed in its entirety. Therefore, I could narrow my focus enough to get the process 1 Michael Kibbe, From Topic to Thesis: A Guide to Theological Research (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 2016), 43–44.

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2 started. 2) What issues within those portions strike you as particularly interesting? Why was a man like Amos chosen to bring such a relevant message of doom and hope? Also, as Christians today, what does this topic mean to us? And 3) What are some possible arguments you could make? Malachi 3:6, “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Amos is connected to many other books in the Bible; how does his message from God line up with those who speak of judgment and restoration in its original translation? Building A Bibliography (Gathering Resources) I began gathering sources from my primary source because of the specificity of my topic. I researched God’s judgment and restoration related to the book of Amos. The Bible is very limited on the life of Amos, so I researched further and found many books, journal articles, dissertations, essays, and dictionary articles, connecting them to his prophetic message on judgment to restoration. Barton, John. The Theology of the Book of Amos . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. doi:10.1017/CBO9781139046497. Boyd, Samuel L. "A Prophetic Judgement without Reprieve: The Concepts of Remnant and Law in Amos 3:12." Journal of Ancient Judaism 11; 2020, no. 3 (2020): 303-342. Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Book of Amos." Encyclopedia Britannica, April 8, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Book-of-Amos Butler, Trent C., and Anders, Max E. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah . Vol. 19;19.;. Nashville, Tenn: Broadman & Holman, 2005. Carroll, M. Daniel R. "JUST WORSHIP: Amos Surprised His Listeners with God's Contempt for their Religion. what about Ours?" Christianity Today (Washington) 67, no. 5 (2023): 73. Ferreiro, Alberto and Thomas C. Oden. The Twelve Prophets . 1st ed. Vol. v. Old Testament Volume 14. Nottingham: InterVarsity Press, 2003. Guest, D. “The Book of Amos: The New International Commentary on the Old Testament,” Daniel Carroll, Eerdmans, Reviews in Religion & Theology , 28, 261– 263, https://doi.org/10.1111/rirt.14014

3 Guyette, Fred. "Amos the Prophet: A Meditation on the Richness of "Justice"." The Jewish Bible Quarterly 36, no. 1 (2008): 15. Hutcheson, George. A Brief Exposition on the XII. Small Prophets the First Volume Containing an Exposition on the Prophecies of Hosea, Joel, & Amos. by George Hutcheson, Minister at Edenburgh 1654. Hall, Thomas. An Exposition by Way of Supplement, on the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Chapters of the Prophecy of Amos Where You have the Text Fully Explained . : Together with a Confutation of Dr. Holmes, and Sir Henry Vane, in the End of the Commentary / by Tho. Hall 1661. Kibbe, Michael. From Topic to Thesis: A Guide to Theological Research (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 2016), 43–44. Klingbeil, Gerald, A., and Klingbeil, Martin. The Prophetic Voice of Amos as a Paradigm for Christians in the Public Square Nogalski, James D. "Three Faces of Hope: 1 Amos 9:11–12 and Acts 15:12–19." Review and Expositor (Berne) 112, no. 2 (2015): 311-315. Price, R. (2022). Amos: Theological and Ethical Dimensions. The Expository Times , 134 (3), 115- 122. https://doi.org/10.1177/00145246221132265 R., Daniel Carroll. The Book of Amos: New International Commentary on the Old Testament . Timmer, Daniel. "The Use and Abuse of Power in Amos: Identity and Ideology." Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 39, no. 1 (2014): 101-118. Uroko, Favour C. "The Social Message in Amos 8:4-10 and Poverty in the Niger Delta." Black Theology: An International Journal 20, no. 3 (2022): 251-267. Document and Elaborate Upon a List of Issues (Understanding Issues) A few discoveries were made from my primary source, the Bible. Although the introduction of the book of Amos sets the historical context, there must be more history about the Prophet Amos, which requires further research. It can be argued that many would question the authenticity of Amos being a prophet of God because of what they knew of him, a shepherd from the Southern Kingdom of Judea (Amos 1:1). Although Amos was just a messenger, it was something he received from God, who roars from Zion (Amos 1:2). Certainly, one can see that

4 this prophecy of Scripture was carried by a man that was carried by Holy Spirit not produced by the man’s will (2 Pet. 1:21). Amos, the prophet of Judea, was given a message that concerned Israel and the divided kingdom (see 1Kings 12:1-20). Two years before the earthquake, Amos prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel and the surrounding nations, which led to some resistance from the prideful Israelites (Amos 7:12). While many other books of the Scriptures announce God’s redemption and restoration, the Book of Amos held the people of God accountable for their injustice towards others. Amos consistently and repeatedly alluded to the failure of the people to embrace God’s purpose or meaning of justice completely. God was angry and very serious about bringing doom upon the Jewish people because they are considered His Chosen people, whom He holds at a higher standard in doing His will. Israel's disobedience and resistance led them to leave their relationship with God. Another issue that can arise from this text is that one can argue God punishes one and not the other (Amos 3:22). This book allowed me to relate the theological and ethical elements of Amos to the issues of the modern church today. Believers today have lost the concept of caring for one another and are drowned in selfishness. They have forgotten God. Document Various Positions and Points of Interpretation (Entering Discussion) Kibbe discussed several critical factors in entering a discussion. First, have something to contribute to the discussion; next, recognize the appropriate time to enter the discussion; and final, must be able to articulate how your thesis fits into the discussion. 2 After using my primary source and researching several secondary sources, I have determined that the discussion surrounding Amos’ prophetic message to God’s people emphasizes judgment on the rich for self-gratification and the inhumane treatment towards the 2 Michael Kibbe, From Topic to Thesis: A Guide to Theological Research , 79.

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5 poor, on those who abuse justice and on those who yearn the day of the Lord on which God will reveal His power, chastised the ungodly and restore the righteous. The latter part of the Book of Amos reveals God's sovereignty as He was and still is. My first impression in reading the first few chapters of the text led me to believe that God's anger towards the Jewish nation was enough to go back on His promises because they repeatedly sinned. But then, in the latter part of the text, it helped to see that God held his promises, not only to the Jews but to all nations, even today, of those who are obedient in doing His will. My research shows that the Israelites broke the covenant when the rich disobeyed God and did social injustice towards others. The more powerful they become, the more they become independent towards God and the weak. Amos communicated death and life to be chosen by the rich or the powerful. However, it appears that God’s people intentionally chose death. Consequently, ruins and decay are near. God will use the mighty army of Assyria to defeat and exile them. Amos expressed that Israel deserved what was coming to them. Religious and political leaders were overly confident, believing peace and prosperity would be upon them due to how they worship God. They have not learned from the past that God’s relationship is conditional on their obedience to His ethical requirements. God’s judgment has come upon them because they are held to a higher standard than those of other nations; therefore, they must bear the greater responsibility. God has no obligation to protect them, and He will not be influenced by their solemn assemblies, offerings, or prayers. Forming A Thesis (Establishing Position) The Book of Amos has nine chapters, which can be summarized as the God of Creation and Covenant who called the Prophet Amos to forewarn Israel and all nations of His judgment that will fall upon them if they do not follow His will, yet proclaiming a future kingdom of

6 restoration for God’s people. The latter chapter of the book of Amos is hopeful because it provides a glimpse of what God had promised. The Israelites will experience happiness by returning from captivity and living in their land. This book is a reminder of God’s declaration to all nations on how we should continuously be in a relationship with Him, which helps us from sinning to treating one another with love and kindness, regardless of one’s status. From the topic, “Judgment to Restoration,” to the thesis, “Amos is convinced that Yahweh is a God of justice and restoration; and His power over all nations is evidenced by the fact that sins, the basis of social justice and righteousness will undoubtedly be followed by judgment.”

Mod 7 BIBL 700 Case Study in Topic to Thesis Assignment

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