Hermeneutics
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” Is. 40:8 NASB
BEX 200-02 (3 hours) Spring 2009
TH8:30-9:45 Room PH 105
Professor Rick Bullard Office: PH 104
Phone: 244-8673 Email:
Course Description
Hermeneutics is an introduction to the theory and practice of biblical interpretation with dual focus on the Bible’s ancient formation and contemporary use. Prerequisites: BCS 100, BOT 150, BNT 150; required as prerequisite to all other 200-399 Bible courses.
Rationale
Since the Bible is the foundational text of all Christian belief and practice, it is essential that all Christian workers are able to interpret it correctly. This course focuses on linguistics and literary principles in order to equip students with the tools and abilities necessary for competent biblical exegesis.
Goals
The student who successfully completes this course should:
1)Be familiar with basic terminology and theories related to this discipline.
2)Understand the difficulties in biblical interpretation.
3)Be familiar with the historical and linguistic factors that are central to biblical interpretation.
4)Be familiar with the basic reference tools (including English translations) that assist in biblical interpretation.
5)Understand the importance of different biblical genres.
6)Think critically about various contemporary methodological approaches to biblical interpretation.
7)Be challenged to apply the biblical message personally and corporately.
Required Texts
Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
Stein, Robert H. A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.
Course Policies
This is a rigorous course that requires high quality work from you. I expect you to attend the lectures, complete the readings prior to class, and fully participate in class activities and discussions. You must adhere to the CCU honor code as described in the student handbook, particularly in regards to cheating and plagiarism. Cell phones must be turned off during class.
Attendance
As per CCU policy, students with the equivalent of more than 2 weeks of absences in a particular course will receive a grade of “FA.” Students who reach this level of absences before the 7th week of the semester have the option to withdraw from the course. Because this class meets 2days a week, students December miss class four times before receiving the grade of FA. Students should keep personal records on all absences, and must further report all absences to the Academic Support Office within 48 hours of the absence. In the case of absences due to illness, the student should secure documentation from a doctor, school nurse, RA, or RD. All students who are dropped from a course for excessive absences must apply for reinstatement through the Registrar’s Office.
Note that, after the student’s second absence, all absences up to the maximum four will negatively affect the student’s grade.
**Four late arrivals will count as one absence.
Grading and Assignments
5% = Attendance and Participation
15% = Weekly quizzes from the reading assignments. (You may use handwritten notes.)
15% = Contextual Assessment of John 4: 1-43 – October 6
15% = Research Project – find an example of interpretation of scripture and critique – November 10
20% = Exegetical Treatments: Jeremiah 31:31-34 & 1 Corinthians 6:19 – December 8
30% = Tests 3 @ 10% each
100% Total points
95-100=A92-94=A-89-91=B+86-88=B83-85=B-
80-82=C+77-79=C74-76=C-71-73=D+
68-70=D65-67=D-0-64=F
Assignment Procedures
a)Each assignment will be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, page #’s.
b)Contextual Assessment will be a minimum of 4 pages.
c)Research project will be 3 pages.
d)Exegetical Treatments will be 4 pages each. More information will be provided in class.
e)Work turned in up to one week late will receive half-credit. Work turned in more than one week after the due date will receive no credit.
f)No electronic/email submissions will be accepted.
Course Agenda
Day ReadingTopic
August 25Introduction
August 27S 17-36Approaches to Meaning
September 1F&S 17-31; S 61-71Who can interpret Scripture?
September 3S 73-79Misleading Views of Scripture
September 8F&S 55-70Intro to Context and AIM
September 10S 37-56Readers context
September 15S 56-58Internal/Literary Context
September 17Research Day (no class)
September22HandoutThe Christian Canon, Canonical context
September 24Test 1
September 29External context I
October 1S 49-52, 184-186External context II: History & Language
October 6F&S 33-53English Bible Translations I
October 8Fall Break
October 13English Bible TranslationsII
October 20Textual Criticism
October 22The Steps to Exegesis
October 27External context III: Culture Gap
October 29S 117-135Figurative Speech
November 3F&S 265-275,handoutCommentaries, Biblical Archaeology
November 5Test 2
November 10F&S 89-125Biblical Genres: Narrative & History
November 12F&S 163-204OT Law & Prophecy
November 17F&S 205-248OT Poetry
November 19F&S 205-248OT Wisdom
November 24, 26Thanksgiving Break
December 1F&S 127-148Gospels
December 3F&S 149-162; S 137-150Parables
December 8F&S 71-87; S 169-186Epistles
December 10F&S 249-264Apocalyptic
December 14-17Test 3
Note: The professor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus at any time during the course.