Spring 2017/Pasadena

BI500

Sechrest

BI500: INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES (4 Units: 161 hours). Love Sechrest.

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: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING: 976 total pages required.

Either CEB, TNIV, or NRSV.

Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis, Revised and Expanded Edition. Hendrickson, 2010. ISBN: 978-0801046407, Pub. Price $22.99 [247 pp. assigned].

Green, Joel B., ed. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 2010. ISBN: 978-0802864208, Pub. Price $30.00 [169 pp. assigned.].

Hays, Richard B. and Ellen Davis, eds. The Art of Reading Scripture. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 978-0802812698, Pub. Price $36.00 [144 pp. assigned].

McKenzie, Steven L. and Stephen R. Haynes, eds. To Each Its Own Meaning: An Introduction to Biblical Criticisms and their Application, Revised and Expanded. Westminster John Knox, 1999. ISBN: 978-0664257842, Pub. Price $32.00 [167 pp. assigned].

Articles on e-reserves by Alter, Bird, Brueggemann, Childs, Clark-Soles, Epps, Harrington, McCann, Sanderson, Gorman, and others [249 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Attendance (2%). [40 hours]. Students will receive a 1% deduction from the course grade for every absence.
2. Required reading (976 pp.). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-4]. [65 hours].
3. Two 3-4 page interpretive working papers on texts assigned in class - one from each testament (25% each). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-2 and 4-5]. [18 hours].
4. A 10-page interpretive paper (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2 and 4-5]. [20 hours].
5. Journals: Regular 1-2 page assignments in preparation for class that involve close reading of the text and interaction with secondary literature (18%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 and 3]. [18 hours].

PREREQUISITES: OT500 or NT500.

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.