TH4617 - Introduction to the Bible and its Interpretation

TH4617

Introduction to the Bible and its Interpretation

4

20 CC   10 ECTS

King's Evangelical Divinity School eCampus: Distance Learning

None


48 hours tutor contact time 48 hours 152 hours of generated study time 152 hours Students have access to an online discussion forum to communicate with tutors and other students, along with e-mail support from tutors. Where appropriate, telephone support is also available.
Scheduled hours Placement Hours Independent Guided study
48 0 152

Core course material is expected to be used fully and typically includes recorded lectures and reading of select textbooks, papers or book extracts. All students are expected to listen to all of the course lectures and read the required materials. A range of supporting teaching material is also available to students as further recommended learning options.

Part 1: Nature, views and transmission of the Bible

Authorship – purposes – structure – formation – dating – language

Different views of revelation, authority, inerrancy – the canon of Scripture - Bible as a scared text – Evangelical debates and polemics

How we received our NT – textual variants – codices – introduction to textual criticism – modern Bible versions

Part 2: Use and interpretation of the Bible

Introduction to biblical interpretation – exegetical and devotional approaches – exegetical pitfalls and fallacies – authorial vs reader-response/reading community approaches – canonical interpretation – introduction to biblical genres – the Bible in Church history

  • To establish an understanding of the formation, transmission and nature of the Biblical text and thereby preparing students to engage in further exegetical studies later in the course.
  • To develop knowledge and understanding of varying viewpoints pertaining to the question of the authority of Scripture.
  • To encourage students to analyse and engage with contemporary approaches relating to textual criticism and canonicity
  • To challenge students to consider scholarly ideas and theories that may not have previously been encountered.
  • To develop skills in communicating viewpoints in the above matters in the form of an academic assignment.

Audio lectures, guided reading, individual study, and individual support where appropriate. Students will prepare for assignments individually using interactive online learning material. Students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in online theological discussion on the eCampus Forum.

On completion of this module, students should be able to: 

  1. Understand and have knowledge of the nature, formation and transmission of the Bible text.
  2. Understand the doctrine of revelation from a range of scholarly perspectives.
  3. Identify and evaluate key ideas using primary and secondary sources.

Component Weighting % Learning outcome(s) assessed Assessment category
13000 word assignment100%AllCoursework
As assessment

Barnett, P. (2003). Is the New Testament reliable? (Rev. ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Erickson, M. J. (2013). Christian theology (3rd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Johnson, P. S. (2011). The IVP Introduction to the Bible. Leicester: IVP Academic.

Kaiser, W. C. (2001). The Old Testament documents : are they reliable & relevant? Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Kitchen, K. A. (2003). On the reliability of the Old Testament. Cambridge, U.K. ; Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans.

Marshall, I. Howard (1982). Biblical inspiration. London: Hodder & Stoughton.

Merrick, J. & Garrett, S. M. (eds) (2013) Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

McCartney, D., & Clayton, C. (2002). Let the reader understand : a guide to interpreting and applying the Bible (2nd ed.). Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Pub.

McQuilkin, J. Robertson (2009). Understanding and applying the Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.

Metzger, B. M. (2003). The New Testament: its background, growth, and content (3rd ed.). Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.

Metzger, B. M., & Ehrman, B. D. (2005). The text of the New Testament : its transmission, corruption, and restoration (4th ed.). New York, Oxford: OUP.

Calvin Smith

TRS

Arts and Humanities Board of Studies

Tue, 30 Jun 2020

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