Summer 2020/Online

BI500

Wells

BI500: INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES (4 Units: 160 hours). Sara Wells.

DESCRIPTION: This course introduces interpretive approaches and practices for students of the Bible. Students will consider the aims and assumptions of biblical interpretation, become familiar with major resources for study of the Bible, interpret a variety of biblical texts in both testaments, and reflect upon the manner in which the varied contexts (e.g., social, cultural, theological) of the biblical world and contemporary readers inform interpretation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated (1) the capacity to engage in close study of a variety of passages in the Bible prior to engaging in conversation with various scholarly resources; (2) judicious use of critical tools and resources for the study of biblical texts; (3) critical reflection on the theory of interpretation; (4) practice with interpreting a variety of biblical texts from both testaments, with consideration of the varied contexts of both the biblical materials and contemporary readers; and (5) skill in developing interpretations that engage contemporary concerns, and that encourage and challenge the church to remain faithful to its mission.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will provide students with further practice in interpreting a variety of texts from the Bible, from a variety of perspectives, which is consistent with the SOT PLO “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries”(MDiv, MAT, MATM).

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING:

Assigned readings from CEB, TNIV, or NRSV [100 pages assigned].

Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Rev. and Expanded ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011. ISBN (ebook): 978-1441232830, Pub. Price $24.99. [200 pages assigned] (Available full text as an ebook through Fuller’s library.)

McKenzie, Steven L., and Stephen R. Haynes, eds. To Each Its Own Meaning: An Introduction to Biblical Criticisms and Their Application. Revised and Expanded. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1999. ISBN: 978-0664257842, Pub. Price $35.00. [250 pages assigned] (Available full text as an ebook through Fuller’s library.)

Additional readings are available full text through the Fuller library and Canvas including authors such as Corrine Carvalho, John Goldingay, Christopher Hays, Renita Weems, Gale Yee, etc. [450 pages assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Botta, Alejandro F., and Pablo R. Andiñach. The Bible and the Hermeneutics of Liberation. Semeia Studies 59. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2009. ISBN: 978-1589832411, Pub. Price $34.00. (Available full text as an ebook through Fuller’s library.)

Green, Joel B. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2010. ISBN: 978-0802864208, Pub. Price $30.00. (Not available full text as an ebook through Fuller’s library.)

Goldingay, John. Models for Interpretation of Scripture. Eerdmans, 1995. ISBN: 978-1894667401, Pub. Price $35.00. (Not available full text as an ebook through Fuller’s library.)

Hays, Christopher B.Hidden Riches: A Sourcebook for the Comparative Study of the Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near East. Westminster John Knox, 2014. ISBN: 978-0664237011, Pub. Price $45.00. (Available full text as an ebook through Fuller’s library.)

Schroer, Silvia, and Sophia Bietenhard. Feminist Interpretation of the Bible and the Hermeneutics of Liberation. JSOTSup 374. London: T&T Clark, 2004. ISBN: 978-0567083722, Pub. Price $100.(Available full text as an ebook through Fuller’s library.)

Sugirtharajah, R. S. The Postcolonial Biblical Reader. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2006. ISBN: 978-1405133500, Pub. Price $57.25. (Available full text as an ebook through Fuller’s library.)

Tate, W. Randolph. Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach. Third edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012. ISBN (ebook): 978-1441237101, Pub. Price $30.00 (Available full text as an ebook through Fuller’s library.)

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Weekly instructional videos and review of course content [10 hours].
  1. Required reading of the biblical text and secondary literature (1,000 pages). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3] [70 hours].
  2. Weekly journal entries reflecting on course readings and instructional content (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 3, 4, 5.] [10 hours].
  3. Weekly group discussions featuring practice with interpreting a variety of biblical texts from both testaments (35%). Usually, one 250-300 word initial post and one 100-150 word response post. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 4, 5] [20 hours].
  4. Four 500-600 word interpretive assignments featuring analysis of an assigned biblical text, its historical and literary contexts, genre(s), literary features, rhetorical aim, and reflection on the varied contexts of contemporary readers (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5] [20 hours].
  5. A final 2000-2500 word interpretive assignment featuring analysis of an assigned biblical text (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: OT500 or NT500.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core requirement in the 120 MDiv and the 80 MAT, 80 MATM, 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the HERM requirement in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.