RT2203: Working with the Bible
School | Religion |
Department Code | SHARE |
Module Code | RT2203 |
External Subject Code | 100801 |
Number of Credits | 20 |
Level | L5 |
Language of Delivery | English |
Module Leader | Reverend Dr Edward Kaneen |
Semester | Double Semester |
Academic Year | 2017/8 |
Outline Description of Module
The aims and outcomes of this module are directly related to, and build upon, those of the level 4 module: The Bible in Today’s World. Modern biblical critical methods are considered in detail as well as a number of modern hermeneutical perspectives. The process of biblical exegesis is taught and biblical critical skills and hermeneutical perspectives are explored. The knowledge and skills acquired on this module are applied to set biblical texts in the expectation that students will complete the module equipped to apply such skills to any kind of biblical literature.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- Recognise the importance of locating specific texts within the broad sweep of the Bible.
- Précis some of the major contributions of modern hermeneutics.
- Evaluate the significance of Biblical criticism in modern scholarship.
- Demonstrate an ability to apply critical methods to the Bible.
- Apply exegetical skills to the Bible.
- Explore the significance of a number of hermeneutical approaches to the Bible.
How the module will be delivered
This module will employ two teaching methods. Lectures will introduce students to the exegetical and interpretive issues surrounding key biblical texts. Seminars will address further hermeneutical and expositional aspects of interpreting the Bible.
Skills that will be practised and developed
- Reason from evidence, whilst being tolerant of other interpretations of the evidence.
- Critically evaluate evidence and its interpretation.
- Sustain a logical argument and reach a defensible conclusion.
- Analyse and synthesise information.
- Make individual presentations, and contribute effectively and creatively to group discussion.
- Actively respond to peer and teacher feedback.
- Discuss and question new ideas.
- Understand how people have thought and acted in contexts other than the students’ own.
- Present analyses in a clear and coherent manner, both orally and in writing.
- Solve problems.
- Demonstrate a willingness to seek, and accept, help and guidance.
- Accept responsibility for the student’s own activities and their outcomes.
- Display self-reliance.
- Adopt a demanding work-schedule.
- Revise judgements in the light of new evidence.
- Use computers as a research and writing aid.
How the module will be assessed
Formative assessment for this module requires the student to participate in weekly class seminars
Summative Assessment for this module is 50% from a one and a half hour examination at the end of the semester that the module is taught in, and 50% from one 2,000 word piece of coursework.
Assessment Breakdown
Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
---|---|---|---|
Exam - Spring Semester | 50 | Working With The Bible | 1.5 |
Written Assessment | 50 | Rt2203 Essay 1 @ 2,000 Words | N/A |
Syllabus content
This module will introduce key exegetical and interpretive issues surrounding biblical texts. It builds upon the knowledge gained at Level four and examines modern biblical hermeneutical positions
Essential Reading and Resource List
Key texts:
The Holy Bible with Apocrypha, New Revised Standard Version (published variously by OUP, HarperCollins, SPCK, Hendrickson).
Background Reading and Resource List
Reference works:
K.J. Vanhoozer, ed., Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible (London: SPCK, 2005).
G. Bray, Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present (Leicester: IVP, 1995).
Introductory Texts
C.G. Bartholomew and M.W. Goheen, The Drama of Scripture (Grand Rapids: Michigan: Baker Academic, 2004).
J. Barton, ed., The Cambridge Companion to Biblical Interpretation (Cambridge: CUP, 1998).
I. Boxall, New Testament Interpretation (London: SCM 2007).
G.D. Fee and D. Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All it’s Worth (rev. ed.; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003).
M.J. Gorman, Elements of Biblical Exegesis (rev. ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2009).
P. Gooder, ed., Searching for Meaning: An Introduction to Interpreting the New Testament (London: SPCK, 2009).
J.B. Green, Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture (Nashville: Abingdon, 2007).
_______, Practicing Theological Interpretation: Engaging Biblical Texts for Faith and Formation (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011).
D. Holgate and R. Starr, Biblical Hermeneutics (SCM Studyguide; London: SCM, 2006).
D. Jasper, A Short Introduction to Hermeneutics (Nashville: Westminster John Knox, 2004).
G.T. Meadors, ed., Four Views on Moving Beyond the Bible to Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009).
S. Moyise, Introduction to Biblical Studies (2nd ed.; London: T&T Clark, 2006), esp. chapters 6-9.
M. Oeming, Contemporary Biblical Hermeneutics: An Introduction (London: Ashgate, 2006).
Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 1993).
S.E. Porter and J.C. Robinson, Hermeneutics: An Introduction to Interpretive Theory (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011).
G. Shillington, Reading the Sacred Text (London: T&T Clark, 2002).
A. Thiselton, Hermeneutics: An Introduction (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009).
F.C. Tiffany and S.H. Ringe, Biblical Interpretation: A Roadmap (Nashville: Abingdon, 1996).
More Advanced Texts on Biblical Interpretation and Hermeneutics
A.K.M. Adam et al, Reading Scripture with the Church: Toward a Hermeneutic for Theological Interpretation(Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006).
P. Ballard and S.R. Holmes, eds., The Bible in Pastoral Practice (London: DLT, 2005).
C. Bartholomew et al, eds., Out of Egypt: Biblical Theology and Biblical Interpretation (Carlisle: Paternoster, 2004).
E.F. Davis and R.B. Hays, The Art of Reading Scripture (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003).
J.D.G. Dunn, The Living Word (2nd ed.; Minneapolis: Fortress, 2009).
D.F. Ford and G. Stanton, eds., Reading Texts, Seeking Wisdom (London: SCM, 2003).
S.E. Fowl, ed., The Theological Interpretation of Scripture (Blackwell Readings in Modern Theology; Oxford: Blackwell, 1997).
J. Goldingay, Models for the Interpretation of Scripture (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995).
J.B. Green and M. Turner, eds., Between Two Horizons: Spanning New Testament Studies and Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000).
W. Jeanrond, Theological Hermeneutics: Development and Significance (London: SCM, 1991).
A.S. Jensen, Theological Hermeneutics (SCM Core Text; London: SCM, 2007).
P.J. Leithart, Deep Exegesis: The Mystery of Reading Scripture (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2009).
R. Lundin, ed., Disciplining Hermeneutics: Interpretation in Christian Perspective (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).
M. Silva, ed., Foundations of Contemporary Interpretation(Leicester: Apollos, 1997).
S. M. Schneiders, The Revelatory Text: Interpreting the New Testament as Sacred Scripture (2nd ed.; Collegeville, MN.: Liturgical Press, 1999), esp. part 1.
C. Spinks, The Bible and the Crisis of Meaning: Debates on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture (London: T&T Clark, 2007).
A.C. Thiselton, New Horizons in Hermeneutics (London: Marshall Pickering, 1992).