Course Catalog

BIB273E Bible Study & Interpretation (3 credits) 9728

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the science and art of how to interpret the Bible. While theoretical issues will be discussed, emphasis will be placed on specific rules and methods for interpreting the varieties of Biblical literature, such as narratives, poetry and prophecy. The course will also include an introduction to Hebrew and Greek language tools for the English Bible student.

LEARNING RESULTS
The learner will be able to:
• Define and understand basic terminology relating to biblical hermeneutical theory, the interpretational process, the biblical languages, and terms used by scholars and Bible commentators.
• Summarize the importance of the debate over meaning, authorial intention, and the role of the reader in biblical interpretation.
• Follow a specific process for interpreting any biblical text.
• Discuss the various literary genres of the Bible.
• Use the Hebrew and Greek language study tools currently available to the English reading Bible student.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
• Walter Kaiser and Moises Silva, An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning (Zondervan).
• Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All its Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible; 3rd edition (Zondervan, 2003).
A thorough Study Bible in a version of your choice (one that has lots of notes, background material, and outlines)
You must also have access to the following (ask your pastor or use a library):
A concordance to the Bible (preferably Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible or one keyed* to it)

*"Keyed" refers to Strong's numbering system – a concordance lists all occurrences of a word in the Bible and where that word is found. In Strong's case, a number is assigned to the original Greek or Hebrew word behind the English word. Many study resources available to the English-only reader also use Strong's numbering system so as to enable the student who cannot read Greek or Hebrew access to Greek or Hebrew dictionary entries to the Greek and Hebrew words behind their English translations. These tools are listed below, and you will need access to them for several assignments.
• Englishman's Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance (keyed to Strong's concordance) OR The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (referred to as TWOT – 2 vols.; keyed to Strong's concordance)
• Englishman's Greek Concordance (keyed to Strong's concordance)
• New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (ed. Colin Brown; keyed to Strong's concordance)
• New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology (ed. W. VanGemeren; keyed to Strong's concordance)

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INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
The integration of faith and learning is evidenced in this course through the required readings and the interaction of the student with those readings. The readings cover both hermeneutical theory and interpretational aids and procedures. The former is crucial for its importance toward being able to determine the Bible's meaning; the latter provides the means to that end.

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
To determine if the course learning results have been attained, students document their learning by submitting the following items:
• Assignment #1 Introduction to Bible Study and Interpretation
• Assignment #2 Studying the Bible in Context, Part 1: The Historical Context
• Assignment #3 Studying the Bible in Context, Part 2: The “Literary Flow”
• Assignment #4 Studying the Bible in Context, Part 3: Literary Genres: Narrative, Gospel, Parables, Laws, and Epistles
• Assignment #5 Studying the Bible in Context, Part 4: Literary Genres: Poetry, Wisdom, Prophets, and Prophecy
• Assignment #6 Study the Bible in Detail: Part 1: Words and Word Studies
• Assignment #7 Study the Bible in Detail: Part 2: Greek and Hebrew Grammar
• Assignment #8 Final Project: Pulling the Steps Together
There are 8 lessons and 0 examinations for this course.

LEARNING EVALUATION
Evaluation is on a point system:
Assignment #1 100 points
Assignment #2 100 points
Assignment #3 100 points
Assignment #4 100 points
Assignment #5 100 points
Assignment #6 100 points
Assignment #7 100 points
Assignment #8 100 points
Total Possible 800 points