This unit introduces students to the foundational skills for reading the Bible within its historical, social, cultural, and literary contexts. Students will explore the formation of the Old and New Testaments, examine key genres and themes, and engage with historical and literary-critical methods. Attention will also be given to the role of contemporary contexts in shaping interpretation, equipping students to read biblical texts with critical awareness and theological sensitivity.
Unit code: BS1001Z
Unit status: Approved (Major revision)
Points: 18.0
Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1
Unit discipline: Biblical Studies
Proposing College: St Francis College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Describe the historical and literary contexts of the Old and New Testaments. |
| 2. | Identify major genres and forms within biblical texts |
| 3. | Apply interpretive skills to selected biblical passages. |
This is a foundational unit in Biblical Studies and is a prerequisite for second and third year units.
Synchronous and asynchronous lectures and text-based tutorials
Carter, Warren. Seven Events that shaped the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.
Collins, John J. A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible: And Deutero-Canonical Books. 3rd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2018.
DeSilva, David A. The Apocrypha: Message, Context and Significance. Second Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2018.
Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2020.
Jacobson, Rolf A. and Michael J. Chan. Introducing the Old Testament: A Historical, Literary and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023.
Powell, Mark A. Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018.
Storie, Deborah R., Barbara Deutschmann, and Michelle Eastwood (eds) Reading the Bible in Australia. Wipf & Stock, 2024.
Siebert, Eric A. Enjoying the Old Testament: A Creative Guide to Encountering Scripture. Westmont, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2021.
Whitaker, Robyn. Even the devil quotes scripture: reading the Bible on its own terms. Eerdmanns, 2023.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source Analysis | Narrative analysis |
1200 | 30.0 |
| Oral Presentation | Oral Presentation |
1200 | 30.0 |
| Exegesis | Exegesis |
1600 | 40.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 14 Oct, 2025
Unit record last updated: 2025-10-14 16:43:39 +1100