Assessment 2: Essay – Old Testament Prophets and Social Justice
Module:
BIBT602 – Prophetic Literature and Ethical Responsibility
Weighting:
40% of final grade
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Assessment Type:
Individual written essay – critical theological analysis
Task Overview
This assessment invites you to explore how the message of the Old Testament prophets confronts issues of social injustice in both their historical setting and contemporary interpretation.
You are expected to demonstrate close textual engagement, critical awareness of scholarly debates, and theological reflection on the relevance of prophetic ethics for the Church and society today.
Assessment Instructions
- Choose one or two prophetic books (e.g., Amos, Micah, Isaiah, Jeremiah) and identify the central social-justice concerns expressed in selected passages.
- Analyse the historical context of these messages, considering the economic, political, and religious circumstances of ancient Israel and Judah.
- Discuss key scholarly interpretations (at least five academic sources from 2018–2026) that address prophetic ethics, covenantal justice, and the theology of righteousness.
- Evaluate contemporary application: consider how prophetic visions of justice inform Christian moral reflection on issues such as poverty, oppression, or environmental stewardship.
- Present a coherent argument with a clear thesis statement, logical structure, and properly referenced evidence following the Harvard referencing style.
Assessment Criteria
| Criterion | High Distinction (85–100) | Distinction (75–84) | Credit (65–74) | Pass (50–64) | Fail (<50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interpretation of Biblical Texts (30%) | Insightful and original exegesis; demonstrates nuanced grasp of prophetic rhetoric and context. | Clear exegesis with strong contextual understanding. | Competent interpretation with limited depth. | Basic understanding; some contextual errors. | Minimal or inaccurate textual engagement. |
| Engagement with Scholarship (25%) | Integrates recent peer-reviewed research and shows critical dialogue with leading scholars. | Draws on sound secondary sources with moderate critical analysis. | Uses appropriate sources descriptively rather than analytically. | Few sources; lacks scholarly breadth. | Little or no engagement with academic literature. |
| Theological Reflection (20%) | Demonstrates sophisticated ethical and theological reasoning applied to modern contexts. | Good integration of theology and practice. | Some theological insight but uneven development. | Limited reflection; lacks coherence. | No meaningful theological engagement. |
| Structure and Clarity (15%) | Well-organised essay with fluent, academic prose and strong transitions. | Logical structure with minor lapses in clarity. | Generally coherent; some stylistic inconsistencies. | Disorganised or unclear argumentation. | Disjointed or unreadable writing. |
| Presentation and Referencing (10%) | Consistent formatting, accurate referencing, and professional presentation. | Minor formatting or referencing errors. | Acceptable presentation; several inconsistencies. | Frequent errors or omissions in referencing. | Poorly presented; referencing absent or inaccurate. |
Submission Requirements
- Submit electronically through the university’s LMS by the deadline.
- Include title page with student ID, module code, and word count.
- Use 12-point Times New Roman, double spacing, and standard 2.5 cm margins.
Amos’s condemnation of Israel’s economic practices reveals a prophetic theology that equates covenant fidelity with social responsibility.
His vision of justice—“Let justice roll down like waters” (Amos 5:24)—invokes the moral character of Yahweh as the ground of communal ethics.
Scholars such as Brueggemann and Carroll argue that Amos reframes worship apart from justice as idolatry, exposing the inseparability of faith and equity within prophetic imagination.
Academic References
- Brueggemann, W. (2018). The Prophetic Imagination (2nd ed.). Fortress Press. ISBN 9781506422539.
- Carroll R., M. D. (2020). Amos: The Prophet and His Oracles. Cascade Books. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1n6px6q
- Wright, C. J. H. (2019). Old Testament Ethics for the People of God (Rev. ed.). IVP Academic. ISBN 9780830825912.
- Houston, W. J. (2021). “Prophetic Ethics and Social Justice in the Hebrew Bible.” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 45(3), 315–334. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309089221998734
- Kim, Y. S. (2024). “Justice and Mercy in the Prophets: A Contemporary Reading.” Theology Today, 81(2), 123–136. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040571X24118592
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