Instructor: Nathan Boeker
Semester: Spring
This course introduces and develops the literal-grammatical-historical approach to interpreting Scripture. Various interpretive schemes are examined to familiarize the student with different views. Through this, the student is guided into a proper handling of the Word of God, interpretive principles are explained, proper exegesis is instituted, and biblical applications are drawn as the basis for a life-long study, practice, and ministry of the Scriptures. Various interpretive methods are developed so that the student will have more breadth of skills.
· Duvall & Hays, Grasping God's Word (2nd Edition), Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2005. ISBN 0310259665
· Any Concordance that matches your Bible Translation. I encourage the use of the NASB (New American Standard Bible, 1995) for studying. Below are concordances that match several of the more popular Bible translations that I would recommend.
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Bible Translation |
Concordance |
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NASB |
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KJV |
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NIV |
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Unit |
Topic |
Learning Objectives |
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1 |
Our Bible |
Students contrast theories of inerrancy to their own beliefs. Students select a passage of scripture on which to base their hermeneutical investigations. |
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2 |
The Reader |
Students state and defend their view of presuppositions in light of Bible interpretation. Students identify four presuppositions which are required by the biblical text. Students conclude their discussion of inerrancy by writing a letter to the editor. |
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3 |
Historical Context |
Students compare two interpretive systems by making an interpretive systems matrix. Students contrast theology and hermeneutics and explain their relationship. Given a passage of scripture and a list of observable items, students make in-depth observations from the passage. |
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4 |
Literary Context |
Students justify the study of historical and cultural backgrounds for use in Bible interpretation. Given a biblical passage, the student will describe the geographical influences on the story. |
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5 |
Word Study |
Given a word from a selected biblical text, students develop a word study. Students evaluate the literary context of a selected passage. |
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6 |
OT Narrative |
Students discuss how the Old Testament is used by believers today. Students compare the textbook’s 4-step program with an alternative method. |
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7 |
OT Law |
Students discuss the use of the law to believers today. Given a passage of Scripture, students outline the passage by referencing its literary context. |
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8 |
OT Poetry |
Given a passage of Old Testament poetry, students interpret the scripture using the revised method. Given a selected book of the Bible, students develop a synthetic chart. |
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9 |
OT Wisdom |
Given a passage of OT wisdom literature, students interpret the scripture using the revised method. Students describe what Psalm 37 teaches about God and how this applies to their lives. |
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10 |
OT Prophets |
Given a passage of Old Testament prophecy, students interpret the scripture using the revised method. Students analyze the formulaic wording of Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the New Testament. |
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11 |
Verse-by-Verse Exegesis |
Students demonstrate their skills in observation, word study, background research, and drawing theological implications from a passage of scripture. |
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12 |
NT Gospels & Acts |
Students discuss the need for harmonization between Gospel accounts. Given an allegorical parable, students interpret the parable using the method applied by Jesus. |
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13 |
NT Letters and Revelation |
Given a New Testament Letter, students interpret the scripture using the revised method. Students compare several genres contained in Revelation. |
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14 |
Exegetical Paper |
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15 |
Final Exam |
*Denotes items that are used towards the final exegetical paper.