Reading the Bible 1: Introduction to Biblical Texts

BS1001Z / 8001Z

Reading and understanding biblical texts is a foundational skill for all theology students, and this unit introduces key skills required for reading the Bible in its historical, social, cultural, religious, and literary contexts. An overview of biblical narratives will be presented, with attention to current theories concerning how and when these narratives were recorded and collated into the Christian scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Through this focus, students will learn to identify different voices and perspectives in biblical writing. This unit will introduce students to the historical and literary criticism of biblical texts, as well as the significance of the contexts from which they read the Bible today.

Subject Details

Duration One Semester
Availability First Semester
Core/Elective Core
Delivery Mode Mixed Mode - onsite or online
Prerequisites None
Prescribed Texts

Required Text/s 

See the unit reading list.

Recommended Text/s 

Collins, John J. A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible: And Deutero-Canonical Books. 3rd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2018. [ISBN 9781506445991] 

Powell, Mark A. Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018. 
 
OR 
 
Kugler, Robert A. and Patrick J. Hartin. An Introduction to the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2009. 

Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2020. 

Assessments

  1. Quizzes: Weeks 6 &12. Weighting 20%

  2. Background Paper: Week 4. Weighting 25%

  3. Presenation: Week 8. Weighting 25%

  4. Exegesis: Week 13. Weighting 30%

Teaching and Learning Plan

This subject will involve:

  • One on-campus 2 hour lecture per week

  • One on-campus 1 hour tutorial per week

  • Online preparation & reading 3 hours per week

Learning Outcomes

Students completing this unit will:  

  • Develop foundational knowledge and understanding of the arc of biblical history and the socio-historical contexts in which texts were written and collated.  

  • Demonstrate an emerging ability to read and recognise literary forms from biblical texts, including narrative, legal, prophetic, poetry, gospel, epistle, and apocalyptic. 

  • Demonstrate foundational skills in historical and literary criticism.  

  • Demonstrate a foundational understanding of writing an exegetical essay. 


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