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DIVISION I:
THE BIBLICAL WITNESS

Professors: Jaime Clark-Soles, Roy Heller, Richard Nelson, Abraham Smith, Sze-kar Wan

The purpose of Division I is to develop the student’s biblical knowledge and understanding and to provide sound methods for proper and effective use of Scripture. Biblical history and literature are studied in relation to the social and cultural context of ancient Israel and the early church. The division is concerned, further, with the exposition of Scripture and with the nature and history of great biblical themes, so as to produce effective biblical interpreters, whether their study has been in English alone or in one or more of the biblical languages.

All Hebrew exegesis courses presuppose completion of HB 7300, 7301 or the equivalent, as well as OT 6301 or the equivalent. All Greek exegesis courses presuppose completion of GR 7300, 7301 or the equivalent, as well as NT 6301 or the equivalent.

Basic Courses

OT 6301. Interpretation of the Old Testament I.
Texts and issues representative of the Pentateuch and Former Prophets will be examined with attention to historical, literary, cultural and theological matters and to exegetical method. The primary purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the content of these biblical writings and to develop their competence in the critical analysis and interpretation of the texts. Three term hours.

OT 6302. Interpretation of the Old Testament II.
Texts and issues representative of the Latter Prophets and Writings will be examined with attention to historical, literary, cultural and theological matters and to exegetical method. The primary purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the content of these biblical writings and to develop their competence in the critical analysis and interpretation of the texts. Three term hours. Prerequisite: OT 6301.

NT 6301. Interpretation of the New Testament I.
Texts and issues representative of the Gospels and Acts will be examined with attention to historical, literary, cultural and theological matters and to exegetical method. The primary purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the content of these biblical writings and to develop their competence in the critical analysis and interpretation of the texts. Three term hours.

NT 6302. Interpretation of the New Testament II.
Texts and issues representative of the Epistles and Revelation will be examined with attention to historical, literary, cultural and theological matters and to exegetical method. The primary purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the content of these biblical writings and to develop their competence in the critical analysis and interpretation of the texts. Three term hours. Prerequisite: NT 6301.

Electives

Biblical Languages

HB 7300. Hebrew I.
An introduction to the grammar, syntax and vocabulary of Biblical Hebrew. Three term hours.

HB 7301. Hebrew II.
A continuation of the study of Biblical Hebrew, as well as an introduction to the methods and resources of Hebrew exegesis, through study of selected narrative passages. Three term hours.

GR 7300. Greek I.
An introduction to the fundamentals of the grammar and syntax of Koine Greek. Three term hours.

GR 7301. Greek II.
A continuation of GR 7300, with extensive reading in a variety of New Testament writings and with special attention to the syntax of Koine Greek, as well as to the tools, methods and skills needed for exegesis. Three term hours.

Exegetical and Topical Studies

Exegesis Courses

Usually, 7000-level English exegesis courses are devoted to the study of the theological and literary features of a particular book or pair of books within the related historical context and presuppose the relevant introductory course. For example, OT 7308 The Book of Jeremiah presupposes completion of OT 6302, which covers the Latter Prophets. Courses at the 8000 level are advanced seminars, and prerequisites are listed for each course.

HB 7302. Hebrew Exegesis.
Selected texts from the Prophets and Writings. Three term hours. Prerequisites: HB 7300, 7301 or equivalent.

GR 7302. Greek Exegesis.
Translation and exegesis of a selected letter from the Pauline corpus. Three term hours. Prerequisites: GR 7300, 7301 or equivalent.

OT 7301. The Book of Genesis.
Three term hours.

OT 7305. The Book of Exodus.
Three term hours.

OT 7308. The Book of Jeremiah.
Three term hours.

OT 7309. The Books of Amos and Hosea.
Three term hours.

OT 7310. The Book of Deuteronomy.
Three term hours.

OT 7316. The Psalms.
Three term hours.

OT 7318. The Book of Job.
Three term hours.

OT 7321. The Book of Isaiah.
Three term hours.

NT 7310. The Gospel of Mark.
Three term hours.

NT 7311. The Gospel of Matthew.
Three term hours.

NT 7312. The Gospel of Luke.
Three term hours.

NT 7313. The Gospel of John.
Three term hours.

NT 7314. The Acts of the Apostles.
Three term hours.

NT 7315. I Corinthians.
Three term hours.

NT 7320. Romans.
Three term hours.

Advanced Electives

BB 8015 or 8315. Biblical Exegesis from a Hispanic Perspective.
An interpretation of Old and New Testament passages in terms of the cultural and historical situation of Hispanic peoples in the United States. One and one-half term hours or three term hours. Prerequisites: six term hours of basic Bible courses.

BB 8325. The Authority of the Bible for Theology.
An examination of theological questions resulting from the claim that the biblical canon has primary authority among the sources of Christian theology. Three term hours (co-listed as ST 8325). Prerequisites: OT 6301, 6302 and NT 6301, 6302 and ST 6301, 6302.

BB 8330. African American Perspectives on the Bible.
An exploration of the variety of approaches used by African American biblical scholars to explore Scripture and the reception history of the Bible in African American arts and letters. Three term hours. Prerequisites: Either OT 6301 or OT 6302 and either NT 6301 or NT 6302.

BB 8345. Scripture and Christian Ethics.
An examination of the hermeneutical issues that are involved when Scripture is employed as a guide for Christian ethics. After a consideration of some recent, representative proposals and models, a few selected topics will be explored. Three term hours. Prerequisites: OT 6301, 6302; NT 6301, 6302; and MT 6303.

OT 8325. The Message of the Prophets.
A seminar on the message of the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the 12 Prophets. Specific texts and topics may vary. Three term hours. Prerequisites: OT 6301, 6302.

OT 8345. Ancient Texts and Modern Readers: Contemporary Approaches to the Hebrew Bible.
An exploration of various contemporary reading methods, their political underpinnings and the biblical interpretations they produce.. Three term hours. Prerequisites: OT 6301, 6302.

OT 8351. Major Motifs of Biblical Theology.
Thematic study of one or more major aspects of biblical theology. The themes will be studied in the Old Testament first, but the relation of the Old Testament witness to that of the New Testament may be examined also. The selection of topics will vary from time to time. Three term hours. Prerequisites: OT 6301, 6302.

OT 8355. A Blueprint for the Past: Daniel and Apocalyptic Writings in the Hebrew Bible.
An examination of the origin and purpose of apocalyptic writings in the Hebrew Bible. Using certain modern apocalyptic movements as a basis, the course will examine the sociological components that led to the creation of the Book of Daniel and apocalyptic sections from Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Joel and Malachi. Three term hours. Prerequisites: OT 6301, 6302 and one 7000-level Division I course.

OT 8357. The Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books of the Old Testament.
An examination of the setting, origin, purpose and theological outlook of the Books of the Old Testament Apocrypha, with attention given to the background they provide for an understanding of first-century Judaism and the New Testament. Three term hours. Prerequisite: OT 6301 or OT 6302.

NT 8336. The Book of Revelation Through History and Cultures.
An exploration of the probable meaning and function of the Book of Revelation in its original context and the interpretive strategies that developed in other contexts and cultures for making sense of this text. Three term hours. Prerequisites: NT 6301, 6302 and HX 6305.

NT 8343. The Spiritual Vision of Jesus.
An examination of the spiritual vision of Jesus as it can be reconstructed from New Testament texts. Attention is given to methodological challenges, the shape of second Temple Judaism and other issues of relevance, including the attitude of Jesus toward the Temple Law and prayer. Three term hours.

NT 8365. Evil, Suffering and Death in the New Testament.
An examination of New Testament perspectives on evil, suffering and afterlife. The course explores how these realities were experienced, symbolized and judged by representatives of early Christianity with a view to relating these discoveries to the lived faith of those in contemporary churches. Prerequisites: NT 6301, 6302.

NT 8379. Issues in Pauline Theology.
An examination of various issues in Pauline theology, such as the law, faith/fullness, resurrection and Judaism. The course will trace methodological options and the historical development of Pauline studies, as well as major theological issues in Paul’s undisputed letters. Three term hours. Prerequisites: NT 6301, 6302 and ST 6300.