Content

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: BA9712S

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Stirling College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate competency 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.

Engage a variety of exegetical methods in the analysis of biblical texts.

3.

Identify and describe historical, cultural, social, and literary contexts of biblical texts

4.

Explain 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.

Unit sequence

BA8011S Justice in the Old Testament or an equivalent foundational unit in Biblical Studies

Pedagogy

Engagement with learning materials and discussion in forums utilizing the facilities of ARK

Indicative Bibliography

  • 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. (recommended for purchase)
  • 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.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegetical Essay

Major essay (exegetical) 2500 words

0 40.0
Forum

Forum Posts – Forum Posts – 5 submitted posts (250 words each) responding to case studies or reading plus 5 responses (50 words each) to other student’s posts – 1500 words

0 20.0
Multiple Choice Quizzes or Tests

Online Quiz (exegetical terminology)

0 10.0
Essay

Minor essay (thematic) 2000 words

0 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2016

Unit record last updated: 2019-10-03 11:34:39 +1000