DESCRIPTION:

The course aims to enable psychology students to gain expertise in the interpretation of Scripture by developing as imaginative and disciplined interpreters. It attempts this by focusing on the Pentateuch in such a way as to allow the text to raise key questions about biblical interpretation. (This course is open for enrollment only to second-year School of Psychology students.)

The course looks at issues raised by narrative interpretation so that students may gain skill in using biblical narrative in their work, and at the interpretation of material offering instruction on behavior so that they may gain skill in using it to reflect on rights and wrongs in people's lives. It considers varying approaches to biblical interpretation, how one gains a biblical perspective on issues about which Scripture says little, and how one looks at the range of scriptural material on topics on which Scripture says much.

Each week students do two to three hours' homework in preparation for the class. The class meets weekly for three-hour sessions. Classes combine lecture, group work based on the homework, and plenary discussion. Students write three papers, spread through the quarter.

NRSV Bible.

Goldingay, J. Models for Interpretation of Scripture. Eerdmans, 1995; Clements, Toronto, 2004.

Barton, J. Ethics and the Old Testament. Trinity International Press, 1998.

Swartley, W. M. Slavery, Sabbath, War & Women: Case Issues in Biblical Interpretation. Herald Press, 1983.

Attendance at classes. Weekly preparation (40%). Three short papers (60%).

Permission of advisor; second-year School of Psychology students only.

Meets core requirement in Biblical Studies for MACL (Integrative Studies) for SOP students.

Only for students who miss a class.