Spring 2019/Phoenix

BI500

Perry

BI500: INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES (4 Units: 160 hours). Peter S. Perry

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: c. 1050 total number of pages required

Readings from the Bible, especially Ezekiel, Matthew, 1 Thessalonians, and Revelation [c. 100 pp.].

Gaventa, Beverly R. and David L. Petersen, eds. The New Interpreter’s Bible One-Volume Commentary. Abingdon, 2010. ISBN: 978-0687334117, Pub. Price $76.99. Available as eBook through Fuller Library or for Kindle at Amazon [c. 100 pp. assigned].

González, Justo L.Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes.Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687014521, Pub. Price $19.99. Not available as eBook through Fuller Library or Amazon [107 pp. assigned].

Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Revised and expanded edition. Baker Academic, 2010. ISBN: 978-0801046407, Pub. Price $24.99. Available as eBook through Fuller Library or for Kindle at Amazon [165 pp. assigned].

Habel, Norman C. and Peter L. Trudinger. Exploring Ecological Hermeneutics. SBL, 2008. ISBN: 978-1589833463, Pub. Price $24.95. Available as eBook through Fuller Library or for Kindle at Amazon [49 pp. assigned].

Perry, Peter S. Insights from Performance Criticism. Fortress, 2016. ISBN: 978-1506400167, Pub. Price $29.00. Kindle available at Amazon [162 pp. assigned].

Smith-Christopher, Daniel. A Biblical Theology of Exile. Fortress, 2002. ISBN: 978-0800632243, Pub. Price $20.00. Not available as eBook through Fuller Library or Amazon [59 pp. assigned].

Vanhoozer, Kevin J., James KA Smith, Bruce Ellis Benson, eds. Hermeneutics at the Crossroads. Indiana University Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0253218490, Pub. Price $26.00. Available as eBook through Fuller Library or for Kindle at Amazon [129 pp. assigned].

West, Gerald O. Reading Other-wise: Socially Engaged Biblical Scholars Reading with Their Local Communities. SBL, 2007. 978-1589832732, Pub. Price $24.95. Available as eBook through Fuller Library [78 pp. assigned].

Articles posted on eReserves [c. 100 pp. assigned].

Students are required to work with either the CEB, TNIV, or NRSV for each biblical text used in the course agenda; any additional versions are also welcome, including Hebrew and Greek.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Cave, Terence and Deirdre Wilson, eds. Reading Beyond the Code: Literature and Relevance Theory. Oxford, 2018. ISBN: 978-0198794776, Pub. Price $70.00.

Linafelt, Tod, ed. Strange Fire: Reading the Bible after the Holocaust. Sheffield, 2000. ISBN: 978-0814751664, Pub. Price $27.00.

Sugirtharajah, R. S. Exploring Postcolonial Biblical Criticism: History, Method, Practice. Wiley-Blackwell, 2012. ISBN: 978-1405158572, Pub. Price $42.95. Available as eBook through Fuller Library or for Kindle at Amazon.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 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].
  2. c. 1050 pp. of required reading from Scripture, textbooks, and articles. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 3]. [70 hours].
  3. Reading compliance measured in three 400-word reading reports (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 3] [10 hours]
  4. Three group engagements—each in a Canvas wiki—on an assigned Scripture text (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [15 hours; all of which as a DLA].
  5. Three 500-word maximum “interpretive exercises” on specific, selected biblical texts (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [15 hours].
  6. A 2000-word close-reading analysis of a selected text, incorporating consideration of scholarly discussion as well as of the effect of reading from location. (30%). [This assignment is the “signature assignment” and is related to learning outcomes #2, 3, 4, 5] [20 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.