Module information

Code

BIB2042/3

Name

Principles of Biblical Interpretation (Credit: 2 or 3 hours)

Average equivalent

ECTS 4 or 5

Description

This course will cover the basic rules of Bible interpretation by stressing a pattern of explaining the rule, illustrating the principle, and allowing the student to practice interpretation. The course is divided into four units. In the first unit the student is exposed to basic definitions (presuppositions) that affect interpretation and a brief history of biblical interpretation. In the second unit the general rules of interpretation, applicable to all literature types, are outlined. In the third unit the rules that apply to specific genre types are explained. In the final unit the student will be given opportunity to apply all the rules on examples pages.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to: 1. Describe rules of interpretation associated with each of the six circles of context. 2. Justify the need for adhering to rules of interpretation when expositing the Bible. 3. Defend the truth that the goal of interpretation is first to determine what the original author meant to communicate to his original readers. 4. Explain the major systems of Bible interpretation found in Judaism and Christianity. 5. Apply rules of interpretation in the study of example passages of Scripture. 6. Distinguish between major types of biblical genre and the rules of interpretation associated with them. 7. Develop a pattern of personal Bible study based on biblical principles of interpretation.

Resources*

You will use Principles of Biblical Interpretation, an Independent-Study Textbook by Carl B. Gibbs, as both the textbook and study guide for the course. The Holy Bible is also required. Bible quotations in the Independent-Study Textbook are from the New International Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted. If you are enrolled in this course for three credits, the third credit will be earned by completing a collateral reading assignment (CRA). Instructions for completing the CRA are in the Essential Course Materials. The CRA is based on the following textbook and article: • How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Fourth Edition, by Gordon D. Fee • “Hermeneutics and Interpreting Acts: A Pentecostal Perspective” by Waverly Nunnally (printed in the Essential Course Materials), CRA article Some assignments require you to access the Global University Library website or other academic sources. Instructions for accessing the Library website are provided in the Undergraduate Writing Assignment Guidelines (UWAG) in the Essential Course Materials. The Global University Undergraduate Form and Style Guide defines the form, style, and documentation system for completing undergraduate writing assignments. The guide can be downloaded for free from http://www.globaluniversity.edu/PDF/UG-FormAndStyleGuide.pdf. A print version may be ordered from your enrollment office. * The resources information is may change when courses are revised and updated. The study guide resource information will always be the correct information.

Mode of Study

• Lecture • Video (in progress) • Student interaction • Professor of Record Interaction • Hands on

Assessment

• 100 objective multiple choice questions • Online or pencil and paper • Project • Collateral Reading Assignment (for 3 (USA) credit courses • Student Learning Requirement • Passmark 70% •