INSTITUTE FOR BIBLICAL EDUCATION AND SPIRITUAL INSPIRATION
I
COURSE
HOW DO I MAKE SENSE OF THIS STORY?
DURATION:
12 WEEKS
FACILITATOR:
PHYLLIS A. GREEN
REQUIRED TEXTS:
THE HOLY BIBLE (PREFERABLY NRSV)STUDY BIBLE EITHER OXFORD OR HARPER COLLINS THE HIDDEN MYSTERY OF THE BIBLE (ADDINGTON) THE REVEALING WORD (FILLMORE) THE METAPHYSICAL BIBLE DICTIONARY (FILLMORE) WISDOM FOR A LIFETIME (STUDEBAKER) BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION: THEORY, PROCESS, CRITERIA (YUNG SUK KIM) BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION: A ROAD MAP (TIFFANY AND RINGE) GOD’S GLOSSARY: A DIVINE DICTIONARY (COLLINS)
RECOMMENDED TEXTS:
II
HOW DO I MAKE SENSE OF THIS STORY? This 12-week course introduces students to tools of analysis of the Scriptures to facilitate interpretation and the derivation of meanings as a basis for their on-going practical application in the life and affairs of individuals. Topics to be covered include:
Hermeneutics – theories of interpretation Literal interpretation Allegorical interpretation Metaphysical interpretation
III METHODOLOGY The Webinar format using Webex will be used for:
Individual and group presentations Class discussions Review sessions One-on-one discussions
For the purposes of group work, students will be divided into groups, the number of which will be determined by the number of persons registered for the course, and be given group assignments. Each student is encouraged to pursue individual research via the Internet and other means to supplement prescribed reading
IV
ASSIGNMENTS
V
In-class individual and group oral presentations Individual assignments Group assignments Class evaluation by each student
COURSE OUTLINE
WEEK 1
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
WEEK 2
HISTORY AND THEORIES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION (YUNG SUK KIM) - Philo of Alexandria - Origen
WEEK 3
PURPOSE OF BIBLICAL INTEPRETATION (ADDINGTON, STUDEBAKER, YUNG SUK KIM) - To Gain Understanding Of The Text - To Derive Meaning For Personal Application - Approaches To Biblical Interpretation
WEEK 4
LITERAL INTERPRETATION (STUDEBAKER)
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Techniques and methodologies Benefits of this method of interpretation Limitations of literal interpretation Future of literalist approaches to interpretation
WEEK 5
NON-LITERAL METHODS OF INTERPRETATION I (ALLEGORICAL)(ADDINGTON, COLLINS, FILLMORE, STUDEBAKER)
WEEK 6
Techniques and methodologies Benefits of this method of interpretation Limitations of allegorical interpretation Future of allegorical approaches to interpretation
NON-LITERAL METHODS OF INTERPRETATION II (METAPHYSICAL)(ADDINGTON, COLLINS, FILLMORE, STUDEBAKER)
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Techniques and methodologies Benefits of this method of interpretation Limitations of metaphysical interpretation Future of metaphysical approaches to interpretation
WEEK 7
GUIDED INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PRACTICE SESSIONS
WEEK 8
GUIDED INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PRACTICE SESSIONS
WEEK 9
GUIDED INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PRACTICE SESSIONS
WEEK 10
PRESENTATION OF INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS
WEEK 11
PRESENTATION OF INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS
WEEK 12
PRESENTATION OF GROUP ASSIGNMENTS CONCLUDING DISCUSSIONS