Summer 2015/Pasadena

BI500

Bunn

BI500: INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES (4 Units: 160 hours). Daniel D. Bunn Jr.

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 on 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 for five weeks, twice per week for four-hour sessions, for a total of 40 hours of classroom instruction. Class will include lecture and discussion of biblical texts and secondary literature.

REQUIRED READING: 762 total pages required.

Either CEB, TNIV, or NRSV.

Green, Joel B., ed. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 2010. ISBN: 978–0802864208, Pub. Price $28.00 [432 pp.].

Articles on e-reserves by Crim, Goldingay, Harding, Harrington, Powell, Nysse, Juel, Sanderson, Thompson, Wright, and others [330 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Collins, John J. The Bible after Babel. Eerdmans, 2005. ISBN: 978–0802828927, Pub. Price $22.00.

Day, L., and C. Pressler (ed.). Engaging the Bible in a Gendered World. WJK, 2006. ISBN: 987–0664229108, Pub. Price $30.00.

Goldingay, J. Models for Scripture. Eerdmans, 1994. ISBN: 978–1894667418, Pub. Price $45.00.

_________. Models for Interpretation of Scripture. Eerdmans, 1995. ISBN: 978–1894667401, Pub. Price $35.00.

Gunn, D. and D. Nolan Fewell. Narrative in the Hebrew Bible. OUP, 1993. ISBN: 978–0192132451, Pub. Price $55.00.

Hayes, John (ed.) Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation, 2 vols. Abingdon. 1999. ISBN: 978–0687055319, Pub. Price $79.99.

Perdue, Leo G. Reconstructing Old Testament Theology. Fortress, 2005. ISBN: 978–0800637163, Pub. Price $29.00.

Thiselton, A. C. Hermeneutics. Eerdmans, 2009. ISBN: 978–0802864109, Pub. Price $32.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Required reading (10%) [50 hours].
2. Completion of three 1,300 word Interpretive Assignments; at least one from each testament (60%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5] [50 hours].
3. Four one-page interactions with required reading (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 3, 5] [10 hours].
4. A book review of 1,200–1,500 words, written on one of a few possible titles (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 3, 5] [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the HERM requirement in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.