OT/NT 517 Interpreting the Bible Fall 2014 (Chapel Hill)

Transcription

1 OT/NT 517 Interpreting the Bible Fall 2014 (Chapel Hill) Instructor/Assistant Contact Information: Dr. Tim Laniak, Dr. Jan Kempe, Office Hours Office hours will be scheduled individually. Please do not hesitate to either of us for an appointment. We can talk by phone or Skype. We will also be available before and after class and during breaks and meals. Course meeting times and place Oct.6-7; Nov. 3-4; Dec. 1-2 (Mondays 1-9 pm and Tuesdays 9 am-3 pm). Chapel Hill Bible Church (260 Erwin Rd. Chapel Hill, NC Course Description This course introduces students to the issues, tools, and methods involved in interpreting the Bible in English. It is designed for those who will not be taking Greek and Hebrew or other courses in OT and NT interpretation. Prerequisites (waived for IV students): OT 500, NT 501 and IS 502. If you have not passed these courses at GCTS or received an exemption from the registrar s office you cannot take OTNT 517 for credit. Relationship to the Mission of Gordon-Conwell This course, which seeks to maintain academic excellence in the highest tradition of Christian scholarship (GCTS Missions Statement, Article 2), helps students to become knowledgeable of God s word and competent in its interpretation (GCTS Missions Statement, Article 1). This will contribute to the students development of a vision for God s redemptive work in the world and to formulate strategies that will lead to effective missions, evangelism, and discipleship (GCTS Missions Statement, Article 6). Being rooted in God s word and knowing how to interpret and apply it is essential to these tasks. Relation to Curriculum OT/NT 517 is a required course for students in the InterVarsity Certificate Program as well as the MA-Christian Leadership, MA-Christian Counseling, MA-Christian Ministries, and the hybrid MAR and MACM degree programs. It introduces current hermeneutical issues as well as basic tools and methods designed to help students interpret the author s intent. Interest is given to both living out the text and, for the InterVarsity cohort, teaching the Word in the university ministry context. Course Learning Objectives Students who successfully complete this course will 1. be able to interpret the Scripture in its historical, literary, and theological contexts by the critical use of the English Bible, appropriate reference tools, and secondary sources. 2. learn to apply Scripture in a postmodern world, especially in the context of college student ministry. 3. become trained in using quality library resources related to hermeneutics and biblical studies (both hard-copy and electronic). These objectives will be assessed by the grading of the course assignments. 1

2 Course Schedule Note: All fall courses begin on Sep. 2. Several assignments are due on the first day of class. Weekend 1 (Oct. 6-7) Literature: Understanding the World In the Text Assignments due on October 6 1. Read Kostenberger, chps 1, 5-14 (363 pgs). 2. Write six 2-3 page genre essays on the following passages, following Kostenberger s instructions (as noted in parentheses). Because these essays are about literary context, do not include historical-cultural context except for setting elements that are in the passages. In each case make notes from personal observations of the text before consulting any commentaries. (Use and cite no more than three commentaries for each essay.) 1-3. (OT): Gen 38 (p 257; be sure to explore how this chapter relates to surrounding chapters); Psalm 139 (pp ; be sure to explore vv in its surrounding context); Jeremiah 29 (pp ; be sure to explore the meaning of 29:11 in its surrounding context) 4-6. (NT): Acts 15:1-21 (pp ; be sure to study the OT passage cited in its context); 1 Corinthians 3 (p 502; be sure to explore the meaning of 3:16 in its surrounding context); Revelation 20:1-6 (p 564; be sure to explore the meaning of the 1000 years in terms of this genre) Topics for Class Discussion 1. Introduce: Authors, Texts and Readers; Hermeneutical Triad; Meaning 2. Review: Genre assignments 3. Introduce: Words and Intertextuality a. Case Study: Joseph, Moses and Saul in Esther b. Case Study: Isaiah and Daniel in Mark; Peter in Mark and Peter Weekend 2 (Nov. 3-4) History: Understanding the World Behind the Text Assignments due on November 3: 1. Read Kostenberger, chps 2, (163 pgs); Watch Laniak Conquest Video (Sakai). 2. Write two 2-3 page word-study essays by answering the following questions: 1. What are the meanings of shuv (Hb ( ש וב in Jeremiah? (This is sometimes spelled shub ) (Cite sources.) 2. What are the meanings of kephale (Gk κεφαλὴ) in 1 Corinthians 11? (Answer with a summary of usage in OT Septuagint, NT and extra-biblical texts.) (Cite sources.) 3. Write two 2-3 page authorship essays with critical engagement of divergent views: (Cite at least five Introductions to the OT/NT, Commentaries and Bible Dictionaries/Encyclopedias for each.) 1. What is the date and authorship of the Pentateuch? 2. What is the date and authorship of the Pastoral Epistles? 4. Write two 1-2 page historical-cultural background summaries answering these questions: (Cite at least three Biblical Dictionaries/Encyclopedias and Bible Background Commentaries for each.) 2

3 1. Identify ten significant historical-cultural context topics in Ruth and provide a two sentence summary of the relevant background for each. 2. Summarize the historical-cultural background of Philemon and explain its significance for interpreting the book. Topics for Class Discussion 1. Review: Words Studies, Authorship and Background Assignments 2. Introduce: History, Geography, Archaeology and Anthropology a. OT Case Study: Hezekiah b. NT Case Study: Parables 3. Preview Weekend 3 Topics Weekend 3 (Dec. 1-2) Theology: Understanding the World Beyond the Text Assignments due on December 1: 1. Read Kostenberger, chps 3-4, (195 pgs); Vanhooser reading in Sakai (download pdf) 2. Write a 2-3 page interpreter s autobiography, answering the following question: What influences my reading of the Bible? Take into account psychological, sociological, economic, cultural, historical, religious, spiritual and other experiential factors. 3. Write one 1 page summary of 3-5 examples of bad biblical interpretation you have witnessed (in books, blogs, sermons, etc.) 4. Begin work on your interpretation paper. Be ready to discuss early observations/research. Topics for Class Discussion 1. Review: Historical-Cultural Context Assignments 2. Introduce: Biblical/Canonical/Theological Context 3. Introduce: The World of the Interpreter and The Sociology of Knowledge a. Communities of Interpretation b. Contemporary Contexts 4. Introduce/Discuss: Interpretation Papers 5. Final Reflection: The Holy Spirit and Interpretation Assignments due on December 20: 1. Write a 10 page interpretation paper on a passage of your choosing. Take into account all of the issues and topics raised in your readings and class discussions. Add a full single-spaced page of appropriate bibliographical resources recommended by your primary text. The paper should be double spaced, 1 margins, Arial font. Submit your papers electronically to tlaniak@gcts.edu. Required Texts Kostenberger, Andreas J. and Richard D. Patterson, Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology, Kregel, Assigned PDF and video are available through Sakai in the Resources folder. 3

4 Final Grade (possible 101 points) 1 page papers 2 pts each) 6 pts 2-3 page papers 5 pts each) 55 pts 10 page paper 40 pts) 40 pts Grading Rubric for Papers Category and Criteria Possible Points Score Submission was (NOT) ON TIME Page length: Penalty: 3 pts per day Penalty: 10 pts per extra page Content 50 Thesis is clear and significant Content is accurate and significant Essay addresses major topics and issues Supporting Evidence 20 Good use of biblical sources, secondary materials and class learnings Evidence supports the main idea of each paragraph and the central thesis of the essay Good use of illustrations and concrete examples Composition 1: Clarity of Organization & Paragraph 10 Unity Essay is clear and logically organized Introduction effectively introduces the topic and thesis Body paragraphs are unified by a single idea and smoothly transition to one another Conclusion satisfactorily answers the question So what? Composition 2: Style & Usage Sentences are well constructed Style and tone are appropriate for the purpose and audience Word use is appropriate for graduate-level writing Prose reflects the author s own voice Source material is properly cited Effective use of paraphrase and direct quotations Composition 3: Grammar & Mechanics Essay is free of grammatical errors Essay is free of spelling errors Essay is free of typographical errors Essay is free of syntactical errors Essay is properly formatted

5 Grading Scale A A A B B B C C C D D F 63 and below Instructor Feedback We plan to respond to questions or messages within hours, excluding Sundays. We plan to return graded assignments within three weeks of submission. Late Work Work due during the semester is not accepted except in the case of an emergency or extreme circumstances. Confer with Dr. Laniak as soon as a conflict is likely. The penalties for late work on the grading rubric apply to the final paper. Questions about extensions a f t e r t h e t e r m i s o v e r should be directed to the registrar s office. Additional Seminary Policies For additional seminary policies that may pertain to this course, please refer to the registration resources on the web. Recommended Resources Adler, Mortimer J. and Charles Van Doren, How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading, Revised and Updated edition, Simon & Schuster, ISBN Bartholomew, Craig G. and Michael W. Goheen, The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story, 2 nd edn, Baker, ISBN Bauckham, Richard. Bible and Mission: Christian Witness in a Postmodern World. Baker, ISBN Schultz, Richard L. Out of Context: How to Avoid Misinterpreting the Bible. Baker, ISBN Vanhouser, Kevin. First Theology: God, Scripture & Hermeneutics. IVP, (Cf. his other work in hermeneutics and theological interpretation.) 5

6 Syllabus Addendum Academic Standards Cheating and plagiarism are considered serious breaches of personal and academic integrity. Cheating involves, but is not necessarily limited to, the use of unauthorized sources of information during an examination or the submission of the same (or substantially same) work for credit in two or more courses without the knowledge and consent of the instructors. Plagiarism involves the use of another person s distinctive ideas or words, whether published or unpublished, and representing them as one s own instead of giving proper credit to the source. Plagiarism can also involve over dependence on other source material for the scope and substance of one s writing. Such breaches in academic standards often result in a failing grade as well as other corrective measures. For more information, please consult the Student Handbook. ADA Policy The seminary complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A student with a qualifying and authenticated disability who is in need of accommodations should petition the seminary in accordance with the stated guidelines in the Student Handbook. Cancellation of Class In the event the seminary has to cancel a class meeting (impending storm, professor illness, etc.), the Registration Office will send out an (via the GCTS account) notification to all students registered in the respective course. If the cancelation occurs the day of the scheduled meeting, the Registration Office will also attempt to contact students via their primary phone contact on record. The professor will contact the students (via GCTS account) regarding makeup. If a weekend class is cancelled, the class will be made up during the scheduled Make-Up weekend (see the academic calendar for the designated dates). For more info, consult your Student Handbook. Extension Policy Arrangements for submission of late work at a date on or before the end date for the semester as noted on the seminary s Academic Calendar are made between the student and professor. Formal petition to the Registration Office is not required in this case. This includes arrangements for the rescheduling of final exams. However, course work (reading and written) to be submitted after the publicized end date for the semester must be approved by the Registration Office. An extension form, available online, must be submitted to the Registration Office prior to the stated date. Requests received after this date will either be denied or incur additional penalty. For a full discussion of this policy, please consult the Student Handbook. Grades Faculty have six weeks from the course work due date to submit a final grade. Grades are posted on-line within twenty-four hours of receipt from the professor. Students are expected to check their CAMS student portal in order to access posted grades (unless instructed otherwise). Those

7 individuals who need an official grade report issued to a third party should put their request in writing to the Registration Office. Returned Work Submitted hard-copy course work will be returned to the students if they provide a self-addressed and postage- paid envelope with their final work. Work submitted without the appropriate envelope will be destroyed after the grade has been assessed and issued.