Spring 2017 / Houston

BI500

Young

BI500: INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES (4 Units: 160 hours). Stephen E. Young.

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: Class will meet once weekly for three-and-a-half hour sessions for 35 hours of classroom instruction for lectures and discussion, plus 5 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours. Roughly half of class time will be dedicated to lectures and discussion on method, half to hands-on application. A high degree of student participation is expected.

REQUIRED READING: 838 total pages required.

Dietrich, Walter, and Ulrich Luz, eds. The Bible in a World Context: An Experiment in Contextual Hermeneutics. Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN: 978-0802849885, Pub. Price $13.50 [83 pp.].

Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis. Revised and Expanded Edition. Hendrickson, 2009. ISBN: 978-0801046407, Pub. Price $19.95 [238 pp. 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.].

Articles will also be required, by Naim S. Ateek, Randall C. Bailey, Kathleen Scott Goldingay and John Goldingay, Daniel J. Harrington, David C. Hopkins, and Judith E. Sanderson, available via Hubbard databases or on eReserves. [85 total pp.].

Either CEB, TNIV, or NRSV.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 838 pages of required reading. [56 hours].

2. Class participation and contributions to ongoing discussion. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-5.] [35 hours of class time].

3. Two interpretive exercises on assigned texts (1,300 words each, or about 2 pages single-spaced) (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1, 4-5.]. [32 hours preparation and writing].

4. Forum discussion on Dietrich and Water, The Bible in a World Context (625 words including posts and replies) (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-5.]. [5 hours (DLAs)].

5. A critical book review, 1,200-1,500 words, or 3-4 pages one-and-a-half spaced (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3]. [14 hours].

6. Interpretive/research paper on an assigned NT text (1,500 words, or 5-6 pages one-and-a-half spaced) (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-5]. [18 hours research and writing].

PREREQUISITES: None.

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.