BI201

Title

BI201

Principles of Biblical Interpretation

Time

Tuesday

12:00 PM

2:30 PM

Location

Admin 201

Instructor

Dr. R. M. Keelan Downton

kdownton[at]somerset.edu

732-356-1595 x1103

Office Hours

Mon: 10am-11:30am, 2:30-3:30pm

Tues:  10am-11:30am, 2:30-3:30pm

Description

Introduction to the principles of biblical interpretation and the inductive method of Bible study. Emphasis upon the theory and practice of biblical interpretation. Includes exercises based upon selected passages of both the Old and New Testaments. Attention will also be given to the practical application of the Bible to the Christian life.

Relation to Mission and Vision

This course will develop the skills for understanding the story of God. It will facilitate deeper understanding of the Bible (Upward Call), enhance our understanding of ourselves as readers of Scripture (Inward Journey), and provide crucial skills toward living a life of grace and freedom appropriate to those who follow Jesus Christ (Outward Move).

Prerequisites

EN101

EN102

BI101 or BI102

This template was created by R. M. Keelan Downton and licensed under

ISBN

Author

Title

Publisher

Year

List Price

Used Price

Link to Amazon

0310259665

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0310262232

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Action

Subject

Difficulty

1

utilize

basic analytic tools for in-depth Bible study

3

2

articulate

presuppositions one brings to the study of the Bible

2

3

demonstrate

ability to use a variety of resources as an aid to analysis

3

4

internalize

confidence in the face of the interpretive challenges posed by the Bible

5

5

know/love/enjoy

God more

1

Week Due

Date Due

Name

Description

Assesses Objective

Possible Points

Days Remaining

weekly

Class points

Each weekly session the student can earn up to 50 points. These points will be acquired by means of reading quizzes, assignments, participation, and promptness. You will be provided a list of key terms and concepts to look for in the textbook in preparation for reading quizzes. Assignments during the first half of the course are found in the Workbook, some of which will be assigned according to groups formed on the first day of class. Although you are encouraged to work together, each student must hand in all assignments individually. Assignments during the second half will begin the research process toward your final exegesis paper.

1

600

3

8

Oct-28

Mid-term Exam

Midterm exam will give the student an opportunity both to review and consolidate knowledge (acquired through reading, quizzes and lectures) and to practice and develop skills (acquired through assignments and activities).

1, 2

100

passed

9

Nov-4

Exegesis passage selection

Submit a passage of 10-15 verses for approval by your instructor for the exegesis paper.

0

passed

14

Dec-9

Exegesis Paper

Each student is responsible for writing one exegesis paper on a passage of Scripture. The length of the paper must be between 2,000 and 2,500 words (approximately 8-10 pages). The final word count should be printed on the title page. You will be provided a handout with further instructions on the form, content and grading of the exegesis paper.

1, 2, 3, 4

200

passed

15

Dec-16

Final Exam

Cumulative final exam will give the student an opportunity both to review and consolidate knowledge (acquired through reading, quizzes and lectures) and to practice and develop skills (acquired through assignments and activities).

1, 2, 4, 5

100

passed

TOTAL

1000

Week

Date

Topic

Reading

page_begin

page_end

amount

Assignment Due

I earned

out of

1

Sep-9

Syllabus

Class points

50

2

Sep-16

Observation: Sentences

Grasping God's Word

19

44

25

All: 2-1; A: 2-2; B: 2-3; C: 2-4; D: 2-5

Class points

50

3

Sep-23

Observation: Paragraphs

Grasping God's Word

45

64

19

All: 3-1; A: 3-2; B: 3-3; C: 3-4; D: 3-5

Class points

50

4

Sep-30

Observation: Discourses

Grasping God's Word

65

86

21

All: 4-1; A & B: 4-2; C & D: 4-3

Class points

50

5

Oct-7

Context: Historical-Cultural

Grasping God's Word

87

118

31

All: 6-1; A: 6-2; B: 6-3; C: 6-4; D: 6-5

Class points

50

6

Oct-14

Context: Literary

Grasping God's Word

119

131

12

All: 7-2; A & C: 7-1a (Acts 1); B & D: 7-1b (1 Cor 11)

Class points

50

7

Oct-21

Context: Word Studies

Grasping God's Word

132

156

24

All: 8-1; A: 8-2; B: 8-3; C: 8-4; D: 8-5

Class points

50

8

Oct-28

Grasping God's Word

157

174

17

Mid-term Exam

100

9

Nov-4

Meaning and Application

Grasping God's Word

175

183

8

Selection and Observations of Paper Passage

0

Grasping God's Word

205

226

21

Class points

50

10

Nov-11

Genre: Narrative

Grasping God's Word

244

264

20

Historical-Cultural Context and Observations of Paper Passage

Class points

50

11

Nov-18

Genre: Narrative (cont.)

Grasping God's Word

265

281

16

Literary Context and Observations of Paper Passage

Grasping God's Word

305

327

22

Class points

50

12

Nov-25

Genre: Laws and Letters

Grasping God's Word

227

243

16

Word Study and Observations of Paper Passage

Grasping God's Word

328

345

17

Class points

50

13

Dec-2

Genre: Prophetic and Apocalyptic

Grasping God's Word

282

304

22

Main Idea and Outline of Paper Passage

Grasping God's Word

368

387

19

Class points

50

14

Dec-9

Genre: Poetry and Wisdom

Grasping God's Word

346

367

21

Exegesis Paper

200

Grasping God's Word

388

408

20

15

Dec-16

Final Exam

100

TOTAL

1000

Instructional Resource Center

The Instructional Resource Center (http://www.somerset.edu/students/academics/irc2.htm) at Somerset Christian College offers tutorial support services designed to help all students achieve their full academic potential and goals. The IRC, as a venue of both remediation and enhancement to the coursework requirements, offers materials and tutorials in study skills such as time management, organization, and learning or test strategies; in MLA format and style; in writing assistance such as outlining, drafting, researching, and editing; and in computer skills and information access. Conveniently located in the AK White library on campus, the IRC works to provide students with materials and skill sets necessary to carry out information access, evaluation, and application effectively. It also offers assistance in resume building and in reference letter requests. As a supplement to the regular classroom experience, the IRC promotes quality and excellence of all student endeavors to the glory of God. For current hours of operation, you may email the director, Dr. Beverly Busch at (bbusch@somerset.edu) or call 732-356-1595, ext. 1126; you may also call the library direct at 732-356-1595, ext. 1120; or check the SCC web page as these hours are subject to change throughout the academic year.

Attendance

In an effort to ensure that students experience the greatest return from their studies at SCC and to maintain a sense of community between and among students and faculty, the following policy about student attendance has been established: SCC recognizes that extenuating circumstances will necessitate students missing class on occasion. Therefore, students are allowed to miss one block session (unexcused) per three credit-hour course without question and without academic penalty. A block session constitutes one class meeting (2 ½ or 3 ½ hour session) per week. Students missing 2-4 classes will have their letter grade lowered one full letter for every block class missed (e.g. students missing 2 block classes would have his/her grade lowered from A to B; 3 absences would reduce the letter grade from A to C, etc.). Students who accrue more than 4 absences will be assigned a grade of F for that course. In all cases, students have the right to appeal. Appeals must be made in writing to the instructor and the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College. In all cases, including unexcused absences, students must make up all assignments and tests missed during any absence through arrangement with their instructor(s) in order to receive academic credit.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the dishonest attribution of research and thought to oneself that really belongs to someone else. It strikes at the heart of the network of trust and truthfulness that constitutes the basic morality of the academic enterprise. Committing plagiarism is a breach of academic contract with the instructor and the college, and makes the student liable to failure of a given project, failure of the course, and possible expulsion.
Faculty will record instances of sanctions related to plagiarism, and these reports will be included in students’ academic file. Students can appeal through the student grievance policy found in the Academic Catalog.
The following principles can help ensure that students avoid committing plagiarism:
(1) Plagiarism takes place when one reproduces any five sequential words from a text, or takes ideas from a source without proper citation.
(2) Exact quotations should either be put in quotation marks or indented and an in-text citation should be used to indicate the source.
(3) Put an in-text citation at the end of any idea or fact which you found in a book or article, whether or not you change the words.
(4) When in doubt, document the source. Documenting sources helps your reader find more information as well as helping you avoid plagiarism.
(5) Your instructor is your best resource if you have any questions regarding whether or not your information is documented accurately.

Technology

Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices are to be turned off while class is in session, unless their use is specifically needed for academic purposes and approved by the instructor. Leaving the classroom to take phone calls may be regarded as an unexcused absence.

Online Services

All courses offered at SCC are supplemented with an online educational element at the Somerset Christian College Online Learning Site. This is accessible at www.sccstudent.com. Your professor will use this to make articles and media files available to you.

Student E-mail Addresses

E-mail is an official means for communication within SCC. Therefore, SCC has the right to send communications to students via e-mail and the right to expect that those communications will be received and read in a timely fashion. Students are expected to check their official e-mail address on a frequent and consistent basis in order to stay current with SCC communications, in recognition that certain communications may be time-critical. The full SCC email policy can be found in the SCC Academic Catalog.

Snow and Other Emergencies

In case of inclement weather or other emergency conditions, students, staff and faculty should consult the Somerset Christian College website, voice mail, and/or STAR 99.1 for up to date information. Faculty may also organize a phone chain to communicate with students. Call 732-356-1595 or 1-800-234-9305 and press 9, the college information line, for up to date information on class cancellation.

Writing Guidelines

All written assignments should conform to the guidelines in the Chicago Manual of Style or the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers and be printed on clean white paper held together by a staple with a header or cover page that includes your name, the course number, the name of the assignment, and the date that the assignment is due.

Grading

The grading scale is listed below with the respective grade point values. The unit of credit is defined as one 50 minute session per week for one semester of 15 weeks or the equivalent. Academic standing is defined as the ratio of total grade point values to the total semester hour credits. The 4.0 point system is used to compute the grade point standing. The grading system is as follows: A (95-100), A- (90-94), B+ (87-89), B (83-86), B- (80-82), C+ (77-79), C (73-76), C- (70-72), D+ (67-69), D (63-66), D- (60-62), F (0-59). These are calculated into your GPA using the following values: A (4.0) A- (3.7) B+ (3.3) B (3.0) B- (2.7) C+ (2.3) C (2.0) C- (1.7) D+ (1.3) D (1.0) D- (0.7) F (0.0).
The following grades are not counted in the calculation of the GPA (grade point average):
W Withdrawn
WP Withdrawn Passing
WF Withdrawn Failing
NC No Credit
To remain in good academic standing, a student must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Transfer credit hours are not counted in calculating academic standing. To graduate a student must complete at least 60 hours of academic credit for the two-year Associates degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all credits attempted at Somerset Christian College.

Disclaimer

This course syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. If you are not present in class when changes are discussed, it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary information.

ISBN

Author

Title

Publisher

Year

Link to Amazon

Adler, Mortimer J., and Charles van Doren

How to Read a Book

New York: Simon and Schuster

1972

Bauer, David R

An Annotated Guide to Biblical Resources for Ministry

Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson

2003

Dockery, David S

Biblical Interpretation: Then and Now

Grand Rapids: Baker

1992

Fee, Gordan D., and Douglas Stuart

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

Grand Rapids: Zondervan

1993

Frei, Hans W

The Eclipse of Biblical Narrative: A Study in Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Hermeneutics

New Haven: Yale University Press

1974

Goldingay, John

Models for Interpretation of Scripture

Grand Rapids: Eerdmans

1995

Goodrick, Edward W., and John R. Kohlenberger

 The NIV Exhaustive Concordance

Grand Rapids: Zondervan

1990

Greidanus, Sidney

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: A Contemporary Hermeneutical Method

Grand Rapids: Eerdmans

1999

Kaiser, Walter C, and Moisés Silva

An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics

Grand Rapids: Zondervan

1994

Klein, William W, Craig Blomberg, and Robert L Hubbard

Introduction to Biblical Interpretation

Dallas: Word

1993

Osborne, Grant R

The Hermeneutical Spiral

Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity

1991

Schenck, Ken

Who Decides What the Bible Means? 

Marion, IN: Café Tutor Publications

2007

Thompson, David L

Bible Study that Works

Nappanee, IN: Evangel Press

1994

Traina, Robert A

Methodical Bible Study: A New Approach to Hermeneutics

Wilmore, Kentucky: Robert Traina

1952

Vanhoozer, Kevin J

Is There a Meaning in this Text? The Bible, the Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan

1998

Quizzes, Vocab, Exegesis notes

Search for and print a Bible passage:

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings (read by Oct 6)

Sample Exegesis Paper