Spring 2015/ Sacramento

BI500

Rodgers

BI500: INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES (4 Units: 160 hours). Peter R Rodgers

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: 996 total number of pages required

Davis, Ellen, Getting Involved With God: Rediscovering the Old Testament. Cowley, 2001 ISBN 10:1561011971,Pub.Price $17.05 [222 pages assigned].

Green, Joel B., ed. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. (2nd ed.) Eerdmans, 2010.

ISBN: 978-0802864208, Pub. Price $30.00 [432 pp. assigned]

Hays, Richard B. Reading Backwards: Figural Christology and the Fourfold Gospel Witness. Baylor, 2014. ISBN: 978-1481302326, Pub. Price $34.95 [177 pp. assigned]

Articles on e-reserve by R.Bloch, S. Keesmaat,J. Levenson, A. Mbuvi, D. Parker, E. Tov, N.T.Wright. [ 100 pp. assigned]

Either NRSV, CEB or TNIV. (Reading Genesis, Psalms, Mark, Romans, 1 Peter. [100 pages assigned]

RECOMMENDED READING:

Vanhoozer, Kevin J., ed. Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Baker, 2005. ISBN: 978-0801026942, Pub Price. $64.99.

Rodgers, Peter R. Exploring the Old Testament in the New. Wipf and Stock, 2012. ISBN: 978-1620322574, Pub. Price $14.00

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Instruction time. Includes in-class exegetical writing assignments (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. [30 hours in class, 10 hours on Moodle]
  2. 996 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. [55 hours].
  3. Completion of two Book reviews (3 pages) (20%) [20 hours]
  4. 5-page exegetical paper (Old Testament) (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 4]. [20 hours].
  5. A final exegesis paper [12-15 pages] (New Testament) (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. [25 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. 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.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.