Summer 2018/Fuller Online

BI500

Hansen

BI500: INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES (4 Units: 160 hours). Bruce Hansen.

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.

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: 900 pages required

Assigned Bible books and passages. Either CEB, TNIV, or NRSV. [100 pp.]

Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Rev Exp edition. Baker Academic, 2010. ISBN: 978-0801046407, Publisher's Price $21.99 [270 pp.]

Gorman, Michael J., ed. Scripture and Its Interpretation: A Global, Ecumenical Introduction to the Bible. Baker Academic, 2017. ISBN: 978-0801098390, Publisher's Price $34.99 [400 pp.]

Selections on e-reserves [122 pp.]:

Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative. 2nd ed. Chapter 3 "Biblical Type-Scenes and the Uses of Convention," 55-78. New York: Basic Books, 2011.

Bauckham, Richard. "Reading Scripture as a Coherent Story." In The Art of Reading Scripture, edited by Ellen F. Davis and Richard B. Hays, 38-53. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2003.

Davis, Ellen F., "Vulnerability, the Condition of Covenant." In The Art of Reading Scripture, edited by Ellen F. Davis and Richard B. Hays, 277-293. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2003.

Dube, Musa W. "Fifty Years of Bleeding: A Storytelling Feminist Reading of Mark 5:24-43." In Other Ways of Reading: African Women and the Bible, edited by Musa W. Dube, 50-60. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2001.

Marshall, I. Howard, "Mark 1:1-13 Introducing the Gospel of Mark." In Interpreting the New Testament Text: Introduction to the Art and Science of Exegesis, edited by Darrell L. Bock and Buist M. Fanning, 313-22. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006.

Moberly, R.W.L., "Living Dangerously: Genesis 22 and the Quest for Good Biblical Interpretation." In The Art of Reading Scripture, edited by Ellen F. Davis and Richard B. Hays, 181-197. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2003.

Santos, Narry F., "Mark 1:1-15 The Paradox of Authority and Servanthood." In Interpreting the New Testament Text: Introduction to the Art and Science of Exegesis, edited by Darrell L. Bock and Buist M. Fanning, 323-39. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006.

Schottroff, Luise, "Feminist Praxis of Interpreting the New Testament." In Feminist Interpretation: The Bible in Women's Perspective, edited by Luise Schottroff, Silvia Schroer, and Marie-Theres Wacker, translated by Martin and Barbara Rumscheidt, 233-254. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998.

RECOMMENDED READING: See course syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Weekly online mini-lectures. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 3 and 5.] [5 hours]
Weekly online activities (forums, polls, quizzes). (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5] [35 hours].
900 pages of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [60 hours].
Completion of three 1000-word interpretive assignments on assigned Bible passages. (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 4, 5] [30 hours].
Interpretive Assignment. The student will develop one of the three shorter interpretive assignments into final 2500-word research paper, demonstrating engagement with scholarly discussion and use of exegetical tools (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 4, 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.