This unit will investigate the connection between Biblical interpretation and social transformation. Traditional historical critical, literary and contemporary ideological approaches to Scripture will be explored. The applicability of these approaches to contemporary contexts, with attention given to political, cultural and environmental spheres of life, will be considered.
Unit code: BA9012S
Unit status: Approved (Major revision)
Points: 24.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Elective
Unit discipline: Old Testament
Proposing College: Stirling College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Demonstrate mastery in the use of relevant tools for biblical studies, such as commentaries, theological and bible dictionaries, lexicons, journals and digital resources, and primary sources |
| 2. | Critically engage a variety of interpretive methods in the analysis of biblical texts. |
| 3. | Identify and assess historical, cultural, social, and literary contexts of biblical texts |
| 4. | Demonstrate how the relationship between texts and readers affects the interpretation and application of biblical texts |
| 5. | Demonstrate research skills and critical insight in engaging biblical texts for specific contemporary contexts. |
A foundational unit in Biblical Studies
Lecture/discussion/group work
Brett, Mark G. Decolonizing God: The Bible in the Tides of Empire. The Bible in the Modern World. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2008.
Brueggemann, Walter. Texts Under Negotiation: The Bible and Postmodern Imagination. SCM Press, 2012.
Coomber, Matthew J.M. (Ed). Bible and Justice: Ancient Texts, Modern Challenges. BibleWorld: New York: Routledge Publishing, 2011.
Dube, Musa W. Postcolonial feminist interpretation of the Bible. St Louis: Chalice Press, 2000.
Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003.
Gottwald, Norman K. ed. The Bible and Liberation: Political and Social Hermeneutics. New York: Orbis Books, 1983.
Klein, William W., Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard Jr. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Nashville, TN: W. Publishing Group, 1993.
* McKenzie, Steven L. and Haynes, Stephen R. Eds. To Each Its Own Meaning: An Introduction to Biblical Criticisms and Their Application. Louisville, KY: Westminster, 1993. (Available as ebook)
Stuart, Douglas. Old Testament Exegesis: A handbook for students and pastors. Louisville: WJK, 2014.
Thistleton, Anthony. Hermeneutics: an Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009.
Trible, Phyllis. Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives. Overtures to Biblical Theology. Philadelphia: Fortress Pr, 1984.
West, Gerald O. The Academy of the Poor: Towards a Dialogical Reading of the Bible. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Pr, 1999.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Review - Analysis of a set text. | Application of foundational skills to analysis of a set text. |
1500 | 20.0 |
| Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper - Thematic and contextual exploration | Verbal and written presentation exploring a biblical theme with contemporary application. |
2500 | 35.0 |
| Exegetical Essay | Major essay of a set passage with given techniques. |
3500 | 45.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 2 Sep, 2022
Unit record last updated: 2022-09-02 13:41:57 +1000