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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Reading the Bible in Its Context and Ours (Trinity & Baptist College) |
| Unit code |
THRS11039 |
| Credit points |
10 |
| Level of study |
C/4
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
|
| Unit director |
Reverend Dr. Lucas |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit will provide an introduction to issues of biblical interpretation by:
- considering the concept of the canon and its formation.
- establishing an historical perspective on the issues of biblical interpretation.
- introducing students to a range of skills and resources for exegesis.
- clarifying the interpretative perspectives involved in various kinds of biblical criticism.
- providing basic perspectives on how language conveys meaning, with particular attention to the role of metaphor.
- considering different approaches to personal and group study of the Bible.
Aims:
- introduce students to current issues in biblical interpretation;
- provide a basic understanding of various forms of biblical criticism;
- introduce students to the basic tools and skills of exegesis;
- acquaint students with the importance of understanding biblical texts both within their original context and today’s context;
- acquaint students with different methods of personal and group study of the Bible.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of the unit students should:
- have acquired an historical perspective on the development of modern sensitivities to hermeneutical matters;
- have gained an understanding of the basic tools and skills needed for exegesis of the Bible.
- have a basic understanding of how meaning is conveyed in language;
- have gained a positive but critical awareness of how the Bible has been, and is, used individually and corporately by Christians;
- should have gained an understanding of how to interpret and apply the Bible in their own context today.
Teaching Information
The unit consists of 18 lectures and 2 seminars. Learning will be enhanced by practical exercise, worked examples of exegesis, classroom discussion and work in small groups.
Assessment Information
Formative assessment will consist of exegetical exercises prepared for discussion in seminars.
These will not contribute to the overall unit mark.
Summative assessment will be through:
- an essay of 1,000 words.
- a Bible study outline equivalent to an essay of 1,000 words.
Reading and References
- Bailey, J.L. and Vander Broek, L.D., Literary Forms in the New Testament (SPCK, 1992)
- Bray, G., Biblical Interpretation Past and Present (Apollos, 1996)
- Broyles, C., ed., Interpreting the Old Testament: A Guide to Exegesis (Baker 2001)
- Caird, G.B., The Language and Imagery of the Bible (Duckworth, 1980)
- Fee, G.D. and Stewart, D., How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Zondervan, 3rd2003)
- Silva, M. Foundations for Contemporary Interpretation (Apollos, 1997)
