Biblical Studies |
B 1100 OLD TESTAMENT |
B 1000 |
Biblical Foundations For Ministry |
Staff |
An introduction to the critical study of the Bible and its application to Christian ministry. It focuses on the basic processes of biblical formation, the contents of biblical literature, the developments of biblical history, the facets of biblical culture, and the methods of biblical interpretation. |
B 1111 |
Introduction to the Old Testament I |
Staff |
An orientation to historical, critical, and theological study of the literature of the Old Testament. Lectures and assigned readings cover the major issues of interpretation. Seminar sections of the course introduce procedures for exegesis through hands-on work on selected texts. The Pentateuch, Historical Books, and the Hebrew Psalter are considered. On Campus or Web-Based Course. |
B 1112 |
Introduction to the Old Testament II |
Staff |
A continuation of B 1111. The Prophets and Wisdom Literature are considered. On-Campus or Web-Based Course. |
B 1116 |
Old Testament Theology |
Staff |
Examines the history of the discipline and the major problems and proposals in Old Testament interpretation and theology. |
B 1117 |
Worship in the Old Testament |
Staff |
A study of the worship of God in the Old Testament. Special attention will be given to the personnel of worship; the words, symbols, and acts of worship; and the theology underlying the literature of worship in the Old Testament. |
B 1118 |
Humor in the Bible |
Biddle |
An examination of the phenomenon of humor in the Bible, with a view to the role of a cosmic vision in Christian theology. One or one-half course credit. |
B 1121 |
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew I |
Staff |
An introduction to the Hebrew of the Old Testament, including basic grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. |
B 1122 |
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew II |
Staff |
A continuation of B 1121 which completes the study of Hebrew grammar with selected readings from the Hebrew text and an introduction to methods and resources of Hebrew exegesis. Prerequisite: B 1121. |
B 1123 |
Hebrew Exegesis and Biblical Interpretation |
Staff |
A concentration on Hebrew exegesis for the purpose of teaching and preaching the Old Testament. A variety of Old Testament texts will be studied with a focus on utilizing the critical tools of exegesis to discern and communicate theological emphases. Prerequisites: B 1121-22. |
B 1131 |
Genesis |
Staff |
An exegetical study of the Book of Genesis with special attention to the literary structure, theological emphases, and importance for the community of faith. Prerequisites: B 1121-22. |
B 1132 |
Exodus |
Staff |
An exegetical study of the Book of Exodus with special attention to the literary structure, theological emphases, and importance for Hebraic faith. Prerequisites: B 1121-22. |
B 1133 |
Torah as Law and Gospel |
Staff |
Focuses on selected readings from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament related to the themes of Torah, Law and Gospel. The course utilizes exegetical skills in service of theological reflection in order to enhance understanding of the relationship of the two canons and encourage a healthier appreciation of the importance of Jewish-Christian discourse. Prerequisites: B1111-12, B1511-12, B1121-22, B1521-22 (one language may be co-requisite) or permission of instructors. |
B 1134 |
Leviticus and the Rituals of Faith |
Staff |
An exegetical study of the Book of Leviticus with a theological focus on the rituals of sacrifice, ordination, purity and holiness. Special attention will be given to understanding the importance of Leviticus in the Torah's vision of worship and its legacy concerning the ministry of priesthood for both ancient Israel and the contemporary community of faith. |
B 1141 |
Amos |
Staff |
An interpretative study of Amos in its historical setting and subsequent application. Prerequisites: B 1121-22. |
B 1142 |
Jeremiah |
Biddle |
A study of Jeremiah against the background of the decline and fall of the Southern Kingdom. Prerequisites: B 1121-22. |
B 1143 |
Isaiah |
Staff |
An exegetical study of Isaiah 1-39, 40-55, and 55-66 (concentration will vary each term), with special attention to historical setting, literary structure, and theological emphases. Prerequisites: B 1121-22. One or one-half course credit. |
B 1144 |
The Fate of Zion: Jerusalem, Israel and the Nations in the Eschatology of the Minor Prophets |
Biddle |
Examines eschatological texts in the Minor Prophets which deal with the future of Jerusalem. Special attention will be devoted to Micah 4-6 and intertextual relations within the Book of the Twelve. Prerequisites: B1121-22. |
B 1150 |
Wisdom Literature |
Staff |
An examination of the wisdom movement in Israel with special attention to ancient Near Eastern parallels, literary structures, social settings, and theological emphases. Selected texts will be read with a concentration on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Prerequisites: B 1121-22. |
B 1151 |
Job |
Staff |
An exegetical study of the book of Job with a focus on ancient Near Eastern parallels, literary structure and theological emphases. Special attention will be given to the contribution of this book to Old Testament perspectives on theodicy. Prerequisites: B 1121-22. |
B 1152 |
Job in the Bible and Beyond |
Staff |
A study of the book of Job with a focus on literary structure and theological emphases. Special attention will be given to the contribution of the book to Old Testament perspectives on theodicy and to responses to the book throughout history in art, drama, and literature. One or one-half course credit. On-Campus or Video Teleconference Course. |
B 1153 |
The Megilloth: Ruth, Esther, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon |
Biddle |
An exegetical study of these five books with special attention to literary structure, theological emphases and importance for the community of faith. Prerequisites: B1121-22. |
B 1160 |
The Psalms |
Staff |
Exegetical studies in the Psalms, with consideration of their message for today. Prerequisites: B 1121-22. One or one-half course credit. |
B 1171 |
He That Cometh |
Biddle |
Provides an orientation to historical, critical, and theological study of the development of the Messianic ideal, tracing the concept from its roots in Ancient Near Eastern royal ideology, through the Old Testament and intertestamental literature, into the New Testament. One or one-half course credit. |
B 1500 NEW TESTAMENT |
B 1511 |
Introduction to the New Testament I |
Staff |
Introduces the four canonical Gospels with a focus on methodological tools for exegesis, the formation of the canon, history and sociology of the New Testament world. |
B 1512 |
Introduction to the New Testament II |
Staff |
Focuses on beginnings of Christianity, its literature, theological concerns, and social structure, as introduced in Acts and including Pauline and post-Pauline developments. |
B 1521 |
New Testament Greek I |
Staff |
An introduction to the Greek of the New Testament with readings in I John, Acts, and the Gospel of John. |
B 1522 |
New Testament Greek II |
Staff |
A study of advanced Greek grammar with emphasis on vocabulary building, syntax, and exegetical skills. Readings will be in Philippians and other selected passages in the New Testament. Prerequisite: B 1521. |
B 1523 |
New Testament Greek I-II (Web-Based) |
Polaski |
Students are introduced to the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of the Greek New Testament, as well as the culture that produced the texts. Students will gain a basic reading knowledge of Greek through reading and exegesis of New Testament passages, and will practice incorporating this knowledge into their interpretation of the New Testament. Students study in a web-based format at their own pace. A maximum of twelve months from initial enrollment will be permitted for completion of the course. Students enrolling in this course should be capable of meeting challenging goals with minimal external motivation. Two Course Credits. |
B 1531 |
The Gospel of John |
Staff |
An exegetical study of the Fourth Gospel with particular attention to literary structure, distinctive theological emphases, social setting, and relevance for the contemporary church. Prerequisites: B1521-22. |
B 1532 |
Acts |
Staff |
Introduces the history of research on the Acts of the Apostles and provides an exegetical study of the text with particular attention to the development of early Christianity. Prerequisites: B 1521-22. |
B 1551 |
The Corinthian Correspondence |
Polaski |
Seeks to interpret the text of 1 and 2 Corinthians with a comparison and application of the Corinthian situation to that of the contemporary church. Prerequisites: B 1521-22. |
B 1552 |
Paul in Feminist Perspective |
Polaski |
Examines the letters of Paul with emphasis on texts of particular interest to women, and discusses the ways these texts shape women's participation in the life of the church. Prerequisites: B 1521-22. |
B 1553 |
Pauline Theology |
Polaski |
An exploration of themes and issues in Paul's theology as evidenced in his letters in the New Testament. Prerequisites: B 1521-22. |
B 1555 |
Luke (Greek) |
Vinson |
An exegetical, historical, and theological study of the Third Gospel. Prerequisites: B1521-22 |
B 1556 |
Luke (English) |
Vinson |
An exegetical, historical, and theological study of the Third Gospel. One half credit course. |
B 1561 |
Hebrews and the General Letters |
Staff |
The eight books in the back of the New Testament, Hebrews-Jude, are rich sources for theological reflection and for ministry. Yet they have often been neglected and ignored. In this course we will attempt to listen to this octet of early Christian voices and to understand what they wanted to say, how they have been heard (or not) in the past, and what they have to say to us today. |
B 1575 |
The Old Testament in the New |
Polaski |
An investigation of various ways writers of the New Testament used Scripture, with discussion of the interpretation of the Old Testament for the contemporary church. Prerequisites: B 1521-22. One or one-half course credit. |
B 1576 |
The New Testament in Film |
Polaski |
An investigation of representations of New Testament narratives from a variety of perspectives in modern cinema, with discussion of the films' interpretation of the New Testament texts. |
