Introduction to Bible Exposition – BIBL 700

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

An introductory course serving as an orientation to the PhD in Bible Exposition. Foundational aspects of writing and research for Bible exposition are explored, with attention given to dissertation development. An introduction to expositional hermeneutics is included with an emphasis on inductive methodology and procedure.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The PhD in Bible Exposition is a degree program unique within the School of Divinity, and it is profitable to orient students from the beginning of the program with appropriate expectations and guidance. Furthermore, an introductory course provides students with a base of knowledge in applied hermeneutics, program philosophy, and writing and research procedure that prepares them for the expectations and requirements of subsequent course work. Finally, an introductory course allows students the opportunity to begin preliminary research and development of potential dissertation topics.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (6)

The student will complete 6 Discussions in this course. The student will post one thread of at least 1000 words. The student must then post 3 replies of at least 250 words. For each thread, students must support their assertions with at least 3 scholarly citations in Turabian format. Each reply should also incorporate scholarly citations if appropriate to the context. (CLOs: A, B, C, D)

Hermeneutical Skills and Competencies Assignment

In the book, Invitation to Biblical Interpretation, at the end of chapter one, and then again in chapter sixteen, the following six “vital skills,” or “interpretive and communicative competencies” are listed: (1) Historical-cultural awareness; (2) Canonical consciousness; (3) Sensitivity to genre; (4) Literary and linguistic competence; (5) A firm and growing grasp of biblical theology; and (6) An ability to apply and proclaim passages from every biblical genre to life. In a six part essay, describe the significance and utility of each of these skills and competencies in the context of a Bible exposition ministry. Target length for this assignment is at least 3000 words, with 500 or more words per each “skill” listed. Standard Turabian/SBL format is required for the assignment. (CLOs: A, C)

Case Study in Topic to Thesis Assignment

Working through the five chapters in the Kibbe book, you will develop a “research foundation” for a 25 page research paper involving the book of Amos. For this assignment, you will not write the 25 page research paper, but rather you will compose a five step assignment document that mirrors the five chapters from the Kibbe book. Target length for this “five-step document” is at least 2000 words. Most of this “length” of content will involve a bibliography of relevant sources (at least 15 sources) and the elaboration over various positions and points of interpretation. Standard Turabian/SBL format is required for the assignment. (CLOs: D, E)