An Enduring Gift at the Heart of Ministry: How One Church Honored Their Longtime Pastor
Dec 4, 2024
Within the chaotic world narrated in the book of Judges, the prophet Deborah spoke under the authority of Israel’s God, interpreting an important battle and calling fellow Israelites to faithfulness. The Song of Deborah is a remarkable and challenging text, given its rare vocabulary, unique poetic structure, and opaque compositional history. Even more noteworthy is its placement within the narrative of the book of Judges. In light of studies that demonstrate the interpretive significance of songs embedded in narratives, the inclusion of Deborah’s song within Judges suggests it serves a strategic function within that larger literary complex.
In The Prophet's Anthem, Michelle Knight explores the effect of Deborah’s song being included at this juncture of one of the most fascinating and troubling narratives in the canon. While many previous analyses of Deborah’s song focus primarily on its immediate context--Judges 4--Knight uses a literary approach that attends to the song’s effect on the entire narrative. The song’s prophetic association underscores the importance of knowledge and revelation in the book of Judges, especially for a generation who "knew neither YHWH nor the deeds he had done for Israel" (2:10).
Drawing on over a century’s worth of concentrated critical research on the song, The Prophet’s Anthem combines poetic analysis and narrative criticism to yield fresh thematic and structural insights for reading the entire Judges narrative. With their attention keenly trained on Deborah’s words, readers will be better equipped to hear the book of Judges in a new register.
76 CREDITS | 2.5 YEARS
If you’re graduating with a ministry degree from an accredited Bible college or Christian liberal arts school, you may qualify for our Advanced Placement MDiv (AP MDiv). This program reduces the overall number of hours you’ll need to graduate with an MDiv while also allowing you to take additional advanced electives in areas that you’re passionate about.
90 CREDITS | 3 YEARS
Gain pastoral leadership skills through the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). Our MDiv degree program has the rigorous academic courses and spiritual support you need for your calling in Christian ministry or academia. Join a diverse student body and learn within the context of a broadly evangelical ethos.
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42 CREDITS | 2 YEARS
The MA/BL provides specialized study in the biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek, with an option to study Aramaic) for general educational purposes. The MA/BL is academic rather than professional in focus, preparing participants in knowledge and practice for teaching or researching in Christian secondary schools, or higher education where a doctorate may not be needed; or as an intermediate step toward further study in a related area
36 CREDITS | 1.5 YEARS
This program is for those who seek a greater understanding of the Hebrew Old Testament as well as its geographical, literary, and cultural background. You will dive deep into Hebrew and have the opportunity to study a second language such as Ugaritic, Syriac, or Aramaic. For those who desire to progress into further postgraduate work, this degree will prepare you well to meet the academic challenges of a doctoral program.
42 CREDITS | 2 YEARS
Pursue an in-depth understanding of theology and its relevance to today’s world with a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). Apply your knowledge to your vocation, ministry, volunteer work, family life, and more through our distinguished and flexible program. The Master of Arts (MA) in Theological Studies degree is TEDS’ most flexible program both in focus and delivery method. Choose your area of study based on your interests and experience. In addition, you can earn your degree through multiple delivery modalities, including completely online. See how a theology degree can transform your life by enrolling at TEDS.
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22 CREDITS | 1 YEAR
TEDS’ ThM offers discipline concentrations in each of our eight departments: Church History, Counseling, Educational Studies, Mission and Evangelism, New Testament, Old Testament, Pastoral Theology, and Systematic Theology, or specialized inter-departmental concentrations developed in consultation with the departmental faculty. The program can be completed in one year of study.
50 CREDITS | 5 YEARS
The PhD (Theological Studies) at TEDS offers an exciting, academically robust program that prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities. Alumni from the PhD (Theological Studies) have gone on to a diverse set of vocations that include academic teaching and writing and various forms of church, parachurch, and denominational leadership.
12 CREDITS | 1 YEAR
Learn to read, translate, and understand the Old Testament scripture by reading it in its original language. Understanding the Bible in its original language will deepen your exegetical study and applications of the Old Testament, making you a better preacher, teacher, and interpreter.
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12 CREDITS | 1 YEAR
Gain a deeper understanding of the Bible by studying the Old Testament and the New Testament history, writings, and authors. Develop a Christ-centered approach to reading, interpreting, and applying scripture faithfully through courses on theology and biblical interpretation.
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