Spring 2009/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: Students who pass the course will have shown that they
have
- formulated an understanding of the authority of Scripture;
- formulated an understanding of the relationship between the Old Testament
and the New Testament;
- developed skill as interpreters of narrative, imperatival, prophetic, and
experiential texts;
- 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 and take part in one hour of monitored online discussion of this
homework. The class meets weekly for three hours. Classes combine lecture,
response to issues raised by the homework, and plenary discussion. Students
write two papers.
REQUIRED READING:
- NRSV or TNIV Bible.
- Before the first class students must download the Syllabus and
Course Notes, which will be available on Moodle during Finals Week in the
quarter before the course runs.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Day, Linda, and Carolyn Pressler, eds. Engaging the Bible in a
Gendered World: An Introduction to Feminist Biblical Interpretation.
Louisville/London: Westminster John Knox, 2006.
- 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.
- Wright, C. J. H. Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. Downers
Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Attendance at all classes (pass-fail)
- Weekly preparation and participation in online discussion (pass-fail)
- Two papers (50% each)
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.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/09)