Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Jacksonville OT/NT517: Interpreting the Bible Syllabus (Learning Covenant) for Spring, 2010 Course Instructors: Dr. Tim Laniak Class Meetings/Location: Saturdays only (8:30 4:30): January 23, March 6, April 10 Syllabus Date: November, 2009 I. Course Description This course introduces students to the issues and tools involved in biblical interpretation. It is designed for students who will not be taking Greek and Hebrew or other courses in OT and NT interpretation. Please note: There is a substantial amount of work due in preparation for each weekend, including the first one. II. Course Relationship to the Curriculum OT/NT 517 is a required course for students in the MA-Christian Leadership or MA Christian Counseling degree programs. It introduces the basic tools necessary for the proper use of Scripture in Christian life and ministry. III. Course Objectives For students to: 1. Learn to understand texts of Scripture in their original literary and historical contexts by the critical use of appropriate reference tools. 2. Learn to apply texts of Scripture in contemporary contexts by using sound principles of interpretation. IV. Course Textbook J. S. Duvall, and J. D. Hays, Grasping God s Word (Zondervan, 2001, 2005). Also Useful: D. Stuart and G. Fee, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Zondervan, 1991, 1993). V. Course Requirements and Grading Requirements Class time: Attendance is required. Please bring to class a Bible and a copy of your assignments for that day. Plan on contributing to class discussion regarding the tools and concepts introduced in the text and in class.
Assignments: There are fifteen exercises due over the course of the semester, noted accordingly on the schedule below. These will each take an average of 2 or more hours to complete, when done well. They start out easy but become more complex and time-consuming in the second half of the book. Please do not work together on these assignments. Observations should always be listed on separate paper rather than on a photocopy of the passage. Identify your observations according to the categories explained in the early chapters. All assignments must be typed unless otherwise stated by the professor. For most of the exercises where research is expected, you should use at least two or three standard, recommended reference works and provide an annotated bibliography (noting each source s relative usefulness) on each assignment. It is important that you use different resources during the semester. Your evaluation of them is an important part of your learning. Assignments should demonstrate a cumulative grasp of the interpretive process; therefore you will be asked to include previously learned steps in certain assignments (even when not requested by the text book). As you develop more skills, remember to continue doing original work first, then consult your sources. Please name and staple each assignment separately. A 15 page exegesis paper (double spaced, 1 margins, 12 pt. font, excluding bibliography) is due on May 10. This paper provides the opportunity to engage all of the tools you have learned in the interpretation of a single passage. The specific expectations for this paper are outlined in the textbook. Please use Turabian or APA style guides consistently in your papers. Use footnotes, not endnotes. Students will choose any passage (paragraph) from a Pauline epistle. The paper will be assessed based on the evidence of skills taught in the text book and class, and in the use of and interaction with quality resources recommended throughout the semester. The bibliography should be at least one page, single spaced, and include a diversity of commentaries, background resources, journal articles, and dictionaries/encyclopedias. Submit the papers electronically to tlaniak@gcts.edu as attached documents with the following format identifying your name, passage, semester, and campus: Clark-Rom8-Sp09-Jax.doc. Paper Grading: Form and Style (spelling, grammar, consistency): 10% Research (selection breadth/depth, critical use): 15% Main Idea & Outline: 5% Context (Literary & Historical-Cultural): 25% Analysis (quality/quantity of observations) & synthesis: 35% Application (strength & thoughtfulness of parallels) 10% Other Grading The final grade for the course will be an average of the grades for the 15 assignments (45%), the grade for the exegesis paper (50%), and a grade for classroom participation and contributions (5%). Grades will be posted on Blackboard. Letter grades for all work assume the following standard guidelines: A (90-100) B (80-89) C (70-79) D (60-60) F (0-59 Excellent Work Good Work Satisfactory Work Inferior Work Failure All incompletes (I) and withdrawals (W) must meet the deadlines and guidelines of the Registrar s office and the school catalogue.
VI. Course Administration Due Dates and Late Penalties Assignments will be handed in at the beginning of the class sessions during which they will be discussed (therefore, bring an extra copy or have it available electronically for discussion). Because these outlines are the basis for class discussion, late work cannot be accepted from students who attend class. In such cases, students will be expected to do alternative assignments, due one week later (with a letter grade penalty assessed on each). When unexpected and unavoidable circumstances prohibit students from coming to portions of class, alternative assignments will be added to the ones assigned in the syllabus. These will also be due one week later (but without a penalty). As a rule, all work handed in later than due dates will have a letter grade per week penalty. Assistance and Communication For phone appointments with Dr. Laniak, please contact Patricia Nielsen at 704-940-5830. Direct email can go directly to tlaniak@gcts.edu. (Please put in the subject line Interp-Jax question. ) Learning Disabilities If you have a learning disability or any other special needs that require classroom or syllabus modifications, please notify the professor before the course begins. Extra details on assignments (see schedule below): Chp 8 asst 1: See appendix chp 16 asst: Follow book s directions but do complete observations for step 1. chp 17 asst 2: Comprehensive comparison; not just the 4 points. Then add 8 th church. chp 18 asst 2: Follow the steps but consult tools for literary, historical, and cultural background. Make sure you have several points under each interpretive step. Step #1 should be a summary of the key points from your inductive observations and background research. chp 19: Follow their directions completely (using tools introduced earlier). chp 20 asst 2: Add a complete list of observations on this psalm; also do historicalcultural background items; word studies; literary structure; possible setting. chp 21, asst 1: Follow their directions completely (using tools introduced earlier). chp 22 asst 2: Do what is necessary to perform each step well (not just one paragraph): Do complete observation list; hist/cult. bkrnd information and literary context with the help of appropriate resources, careful consideration of the distance, application, etc.
OTNT517 Course Outline Work due on Jan 23: * Familiarize yourself with the text book. Read the chapters carefully prior to beginning the assignments * Complete Chap. 2, Asst. 1 (Acts 1:8); Chap. 3, Asst. 4 (Ps 1); and Chap. 4, Asst. 2 (Mk 5:21-43). * Optional: Prepare drafts of assignments due on July 13 Class 1 (January 23) The Interpretive Journey (Chapter 1) Reading and Diagramming Literary Units (Chapters 2-4) Introduce: Contexts: Ours and Theirs (Chapters 5-6) Literary Context, Words, Translations, and Mapping (Chapters 7-9) Work due for March 6: Chap. 5, Assignment (relate background as possible influences on biblical interpretation); Chap. 6, Asst. 3; Review chapters 7-9; Chap. 8, Asst. 1 (concordance) Do both NIV and KJV and use both book and electronic search; Review chapters 10-15; Chap. 15, Asst. 2 (for any single parable; include contemporized parable. Explain cultural and literary context.) Prepare drafts of NT assignments due on August 7 Class 2 (March 6) Personal Dimensions to Interpretation Meaning, The Holy Spirit and Application (Chapters 10-13) Introduce: NT Letters and Gospels (Chapters 14-15) NT Acts and Revelation (Chapters 16-17) Work due for April 10: Chap. 14, Asst. 1; Review Chaps. 16-22; Chap. 16 Asst. (Acts); Chap. 17, Asst. 2 (Rev); Chap. 18, Asst. 2 (Gen 22); Chap. 19, Asst. 2 (Lev); Chap. 20, Asst. 2 (Ps 102), Chap. 21, Asst. 1 (Micah 6); Chap. 22, Asst. 2 (Job 38) Begin work on Exegesis paper Class 3 (April 10) NT Genres OT Narrative and Law (Chapters 18-19) OT Poetry, Prophets, Wisdom (Chapters 20-22) Concluding Discussion Biblical Theology Exegesis Paper EXEGESIS PAPER DUE ON MAY 10, 2010
Appendix: Step by step instructions for Assignment 8-1 For each step, please use an electronic source and a hard copy source and note what you used each time. 1a provide one transliterated word 1b provide one answer 1c and 1d provide one answer for the KJV or NASB and one answer for the NIV. (The KJV and NASB have Strong's numbering on Crosswalk.com. You can use Bibleworks or another electronic software to double check what words the NIV uses.) 2a provide one transliterated word (the Hebrew alphabet sheet I gave you only has consonants but you can see transliterations in Strong s and in Bibleworks and maybe in other sources too) 2b provide one answer 2c provide one answer for the KJV or NASB and one answer for the NIV. (see 1c and 1d) 3. Write out the Greek transliteration and then the English translation in both KJV or NASB and NIV. (Use resources you ve used above.) 4 (all of these questions are about the Greek word) 4a one answer 4b one answer 4c one answer If you have trouble with Bibleworks or Logos, please ask our librarians to help. If you are using Bibleworks remote, they can see on their screens what you see and help you. If you get really frustrated, just use the hard copy books recommended in your text and try Crosswalk for KJV or NASB. The assignment is only worth 3% of your grade. We ll go over them in class and hopefully have a true learning moment if it hasn t made sense outside of class. Thanks for your persistence and good faith!