Winter 2019/Seattle

BI500

Brenner (Wheeler)

BI500: INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES (4 Units: 160 hours). Laurie Brenner (Wheeler)

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 class meets once per week for three hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: 825 total number of pages required

Selected biblical texts from either CEB, TNIV, or NRSV [approx. 31 pages assigned].

Fowl, Stephen E. Theological Interpretation of Scripture. Cascade Books, 2009. ISBN: 978-1556352416, Pub. Price $13.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [75 pp. assigned].

Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Revised and expanded edition. Baker Academic, 2008. ISBN: 978-0801046407, Pub. Price $24.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [176 pp. assigned].

Green, Joel B., ed. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 2010. ISBN: 978-0802864208, Pub. Price $30.00 [413 pp. assigned].

Articles on e-reserves by Ellen Davis, François Kabasele Lumbala, Walter Moberly, Cyris Heesuk Moon, Jorge Pixley, Dalila Nayap-Pot, Renita Weems and others [130 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING: See list in Course Syllabus

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Full attendance and participation in weekly class meetings, devoted to working directly with texts in class. (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] [30 hours].
825 pages of required reading, self-reported at beginning of each class. [55 hours].
Preparation of two interpretive assignments, 1300 words each, on a designated passage (one OT, one NT, focusing on different elements of the overall interpretive process). (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5] [20 hours].
Six “skills acquisition” assignments, completed on templates downloaded from Canvas. (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 3, 5] [20 hours].
1,000 word reflection paper reporting on the “Practical Exegesis” field report (This assignment involves visiting a congregation of a different tradition and ethnic majority than one’s home church, then submitting a reflection paper on the interpretive choices evident or lacking in the sermon in its worship context). (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 3 and 5] [10 hours, directed learning activity].
Final Interpretive Assignment, 2,500 words, completing the process started in one of the passages from an earlier interpretive assignment (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 4 and 5]. [25 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.