Spring 2007/Pasadena
NE505
Goldingay

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


DESCRIPTION: The course aims to enable psychology students to reflect on the authority of Scripture and gain expertise in the interpretation of Scripture by developing as imaginative and disciplined interpreters. (This course is open for enrollment only to School of Psychology students, normally in their second year.)

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course students should have

  1. formulated an understanding of the authority of Scripture;

  2. formulated an understanding of the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament;

  3. developed skill as interpreters of narrative, imperatival, prophetic, and experiential texts;

  4. developed skill in considering the range of scriptural material on different topics and in formulating a scriptural view on them.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The objectives/outcomes relate to the work of a Christian psychologist open to being shaped by Scripture and to working with a scriptural framework.

COURSE FORMAT: Each week students do four hours' homework in preparation for the classes. The class meets weekly for four hours. Classes combine lecture, group work based on the homework, and plenary discussion. Students write two papers.

REQUIRED READING:
NRSV or TNIV Bible.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Goldingay, J. Models for Scripture. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

_________. Models for Interpretation of Scripture. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.

Gunn, D. and D. Nolan Fewell. Narrative in the Hebrew Bible. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.

Oliver, G. Holy Bible, Human Bible: Questions Pastoral Practice Must Ask. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006.

Swartley, W. M. Slavery, Sabbath, War & Women: Case Issues in Biblical Interpretation. Herald Press, 1983.

Wright, C. J. H. Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. InterVarsity Press, 2004.

ASSIGNMENTS: Attendance at classes. Weekly preparation. Two papers.

PREREQUISITES: SOP students only; permission of advisor for SOP students other than those in their second year.

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

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.