BB008-706 - Introduction to Biblical Interpretation

• 1,392 Standard Tuition Fee
• 6
  Credit Points
• 0.0625 EFT 
  
• 7
  AQF level
• Category foundational unit
  A
• biblical studiesUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code RYB51. Unit exclusions: BB006-512, BB006-712

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Functional knowledge and understanding of the biblical writings and methods of interpretation

B. Be able to

1. Discuss the main genres of the biblical writings
2. Explore the relationship of biblical theology to other Related disciplines
3. Present Critical evidence-based perspectives on their biblical writings and their interpretation

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives from ‘Biblical Interpretation: An Introduction’ to contemporary Christian living and ministry 

Content

Aims:

1.To introduce the general principles of the interpretation of Biblical documents.

2.To assist students to gain a basic appreciation of the various genres of literature in scripture and a how such genres should be interpreted.

3.To impart an awareness of foundational considerations for the exposition of biblical texts.

4.To develop skills of biblical interpretation that will form a basis for personal study of the scriptures, expository preaching, and group Bible study.

 

Unit outline:

1.Introduction to a hermeneutical model: Overview, defining terms, presuppositions, examples.

2.Introduction to biblical theology.

3.Introduction to genre.

4.Structure, semantics, syntax and intertextuality .

5.Contextualisation and application.

6.Hermeneutics and teaching.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.

Set Texts:

Reid, A Postcard From Palestine. Second ed. Kingsford: Matthias Media, 1997.

Fee, Gordon D. and Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

 

General:

Adam, A K. M. Postmodern Interpretations of the Bible: A Reader. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2000. Alexander, T. Desmond, and Rosner, Brian S., eds. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 2000.

Bartholomew, Craig G., Greene, Colin, and Moller, Karl. Renewing Biblical Interpretation, Scripture and Hermeneutics Series. Carlisle: Paternoster, 2000.

Berkhof, L. Principles of Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1950.

Bray, G. Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1996.

Bruce, F. F. 'Interpretation of the Bible'. In Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Edited by W. A Elwell. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984, pp. 565-68.

Caird, G. B. The Language and Imagery of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997

Carson, D. A 'Approaching the Bible'. In New Bible Commentary. Edited by D. Carson, R. France, J. Motyer and C. Wenham. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994, pp. 1-19.

________. Biblical Interpretation and the Church: Text and Context. Exeter: Paternoster, 1984.

Carson, D. A, and Woodbridge, J. D., eds. Hermeneutics, Authority and Canon. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1986. --. Scripture and Truth. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1983.

Coggins, R. J. and Houlden, J. L. A Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. London/Philadelphia: SCM Press/Trinity, 1990.

Corley, Bruce, Lemke, Steve, and Lovejoy, Grant. Biblical Hermeneutics: A Comprehensive Introduction to Interpreting Scripture. 2nd ed. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2002.

Davis, Ellen F. and Hays, Richard B. The Art of Reading Scripture. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

Dockery, David S., Mathews, K. A, and Sloan, Robert Bryan. Foundations for Biblical Interpretation: A Complete Library of Tools and Resources. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994.

Dyck, Elmer, ed. The Act of Bible Reading: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Biblical Interpretation. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity, 1996.

Efird, James M. How to Interpret the Bible. Atlanta: John Knox, 1984.

Fee, G. D. and Stuart, D. How the Read the Bible Book By Book: A Guided Tour. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.

________. How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Hayes, John Haralson. Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. 2 vols. Nashville: Abingdon, 1999•

Kaiser, Walter C. and Silva, M. An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.

Klein, W.W., Blomberg, Craig L., and Hubbard, R. L. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Edited by KA Ecklebarger. Nashville: Westminster, 1993.

Kuhatschek, J. How to Study the Bible. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985.

Larkin, WJ. Culture and Biblical Hermeneutics: Interpreting and Applying the Authoritative Word in a Relativistic Age. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1988.

Long, V. Philips and Silva, M. Foundations of Contemporary Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.

Maier, Gerhard. Biblical Hermeneutics. 1st English ed. Wheaton: Crossway, 1994.

Morgan, Robert and Barton, John. Biblical Interpretation, Oxford Bible series. Oxford/New York: OUP, 1989.

Ramm, B. L. Hermeneutics, Practical Theology Series. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1971.

Satterthwaite, P. E. and Wright, David F. A Pathway Into the Holy Scripture. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

Scalise, Charles J. From Scripture to Theology: A Canonical Journey Into Hermeneutics. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1996.

Silva, Moises. Has the Church Misread the Bible? the History ofInterpretation in the Light of Current Issues. Vol. 1, Foundations of contemporary interpretation. Grand Rapids: Academie, 1987.

Stein, Robert H. Playing By the Rules: A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.

Stibbs, Alan Marshall, Wenham, David, and Wenham, Clare. Understanding God's Word. 2nd ed, Inter-Varsity Press pocketbook. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1976.

Traina, Robert Angelo. Methodical Bible Study. Revised ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.

Tate, W. Randolph. Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach. 2nd ed., Peabody: Hendrickson, 1997.

_______. Interpreting the Bible. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2006.

Watson, Francis. Text, Church and World: Biblical Interpretation in Theological Perspective. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1994.

Zuck, Roy B. Rightly Divided: Readings in Biblical Hermeneutics. Grand Rapids/Wheaton: Kregel/Victor, 1996.

_______. Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth. Wheaton: Scripture Press Publications, 1991. Old Testament