Spring 2005/Pasadena
NE505
Goldingay

NE505: BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS & COUNSELING (School of Psychology Only). John Goldingay.


DESCRIPTION:

The course aims to enable psychology students to gain expertise in the interpretation of Scripture by developing as imaginative and disciplined interpreters. It attempts this by focusing on the Pentateuch in such a way as to allow the text to raise key questions about biblical interpretation. (This course is open for enrollment only to second-year School of Psychology students.)

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
The course looks at issues raised by narrative interpretation so that students may gain skill in using biblical narrative in their work, and at the interpretation of material offering instruction on behavior so that they may gain skill in using it to reflect on rights and wrongs in people's lives. It considers varying approaches to biblical interpretation, how one gains a biblical perspective on issues about which Scripture says little, and how one looks at the range of scriptural material on topics on which Scripture says much.

COURSE FORMAT:
Each week students do two to three hours' homework in preparation for the class. The class meets weekly for three-hour sessions. Classes combine lecture, group work based on the homework, and plenary discussion. Students write three papers, spread through the quarter.

REQUIRED READING:
NRSV Bible.

Goldingay, J. Models for Interpretation of Scripture. Eerdmans, 1995; Clements, Toronto, 2004.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Barton, J. Ethics and the Old Testament. Trinity International Press, 1998.
Brueggemann, W. Genesis. Knox, 1982.
Frankel, E. The Five Books of Miriam: A Woman's Commentary on the Torah. Harper, 1996.
Goldingay, J. After Eating the Apricot. Paternoster, 1996.
Swartley, W. M. Slavery, Sabbath, War & Women: Case Issues in Biblical Interpretation. Herald Press, 1983.
Winner, L. F. Mudhouse Sabbath. Paraclete, 2003.
Wright, C. J. H. Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. InterVarsity Press, 2004.

ASSIGNMENTS:
Attendance at classes. Weekly preparation (40%). Three short papers (60%).

PREREQUISITES:
Permission of advisor; second-year School of Psychology students only.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
Meets core requirement in Biblical Studies for MACL (Integrative Studies) for SOP students.

FINAL EXAMINATION:
Only for students who miss a class.