The Bible consists of a collection of books written in various literature forms.  To effectively interpret and communicate its contents, we must obtain the appropriate tools. 

This course introduces students to the art of biblical exegesis and interpretation. It is designed to help students gain confidence in text analysis, become self-critically aware of the challenges and opportunities of reading the Bible in modern contexts, and consider the ongoing relevance of Scripture for the Christian life while remaining open to the work of the Spirit. As an introductory course, it seeks to acquaint students with the basic hermeneutical issues involved in interpreting the Bible and to introduce the basic approaches to doing biblical exegesis.

Learning Objectives  At the successful conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Articulate a deeper awareness of the pre-understandings that they bring to the act of biblical interpretation;  

2. Demonstrate greater confidence in their ability to exegete and interpret the biblical text;

3. Understand and thoughtfully use the various tools, technical commentaries, and journal literature;

4. Produce a well-written and informed exegesis paper on an assigned text. 

COURSE PREREQUISITE: Homiletics (offered during the Fall Term).