Hermeneutics 1
BI 243
Professor Name and Title: Rev. Terance Espinoza, M.A., Ph.D. (ABD)
Professor’s Contact Information: teranceespinoza@gmail.com
Location / Branch: Craig College of Ministry
Semester / Year: Fall 2011
Mission Statement:
Central Bible College has been established for the purpose of training ministers and missionaries. Central
Bible College is an Assemblies of God institution of higher learning having a Bible-centered curriculum
designed to educate and train ministers, missionaries, and Christian workers to serve the Lord Jesus Christ
in and through the local church.
Course Description:
3 hours. A foundational study of principles and methods by which one can properly interpret biblical texts.
Prerequisites: BI 113 Old Testament History & Literature, BI 123 New Testament History & Literature, and
EN 113 Composition 1.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following:
1. Explain a basic 4-step metaphor for the process of interpreting biblical texts.
2. Using that process in a manner sensitive to the genre and historical-cultural context of a text,
discover the theological principles that are expressed concretely in that text.
3. Using that process, apply these theological principles to contemporary situations in a manner
that is sensitive your own historical-cultural-social location.
4. Informed by the theological principles thus developed and aware of your own historical-culturalsocial location, return to a biblical text and hear it as the word/message of God for our time.
5. Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of reliable Bible study tools.
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Required Textbooks:
Fee, Gordon, and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 3rd edition. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
Klein, William W., Craig L. Blomberg, Robert L. Hubbard. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation.
Revised Edition. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004.
Course Outline:
Week & Topic
1
Introduction to
the class
2
The Task at Hand
Read Before Class
Library Module
Fee, Ch 1.
Klein, Ch. 1
3
Text Criticism
Due in Class
Choose Your Verse
Fee, Ch. 2
Klein, Ch. 4
4
Historical Context Klein, Ch. 2 & 3
Text Criticism
5
Literary Context
Historical Context
6
Linguistics
Literary Context
7
Word Studies
Linguistics
8
The Interpreter
Klein, Ch 6
Word Study
9
The Interpreter
Assigned articles
The Interpreter
10
Letters &
Revelation
11
Gospels & Acts
Klein, Ch. 7
Klein, Ch 10, “Epistles” & “Revelation”
Fee, Ch 3, 4, 13
Klein, Ch 10, “Gospels, Acts”
NT Genre Expectations
Fee, Ch 7, 6.
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12
13
OT Narrative &
Law
Poetry & Prophets
Klein, Ch 9, “Narratives, Law”
Fee, Ch 5, 9.
Klein, Ch 9, “Poetry, Prophecy,
Wisdom, Conclusion”
OT Genre Expectations
Fee, Ch 10, 11, 12.
14
Preaching
15
Preaching
16
Finals
Assigned article
Term Paper
Methodology:
This course will incorporate lectures, discussions, presentations, Q and A, and research assignments.
Course Requirements:
1. Attendance & Participation (20 points/week x 15 weeks = 300 points): Attendance & participation
includes not just your presence in class, but also your completion of both in-class and out-of-class
assignments.
2. Skill-Set Assignments: Text Criticism, Historical Context, Literary Context, Linguistics, Word Study, The
Interpreter, NT Genre Expectations, OT Genre Expectations (50 points each x 8 assignments = 400 points)”
3. Term Paper (300 points): Write a research paper that incorporates a responsible exegetical and
homiletical methodology. The paper will focus on a pericope in its socio-historical context, and then will
suggest ways that the text might speak to today’s society.
Grading Procedure:
Attendance & Participation
300 points
Skill-Set Assignments
400 points
Term Paper
300 points
___________________________________________
Total 1000 pts
All assignments must be done/submitted by the date indicated in the course schedule.
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The Central Bible College Grading Scale is:
93-100 A
90-92 A88-89 B+
83-87 B
80-82 B78-79 C+
73-77 C
70-72 C-
68-69 D+
63-67 D
60-62 D59 or below F
Selected Bibliography
Adam, A. K. M., ed. Handbook of Postmodern Biblical Interpretation. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2000.
Archer, Kenneth J. A Pentecostal Hermeneutic: Spirit, Scripture, and Communiity. Cleveland, TN: CPT Press,
2009.
Arnold, Bill T. and David W. Baker, The Face of Old Testament Studies: A Survey of Contemporary
Approaches. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004.
Bock, Darrell, and Buist M. Fanning. Interpreting the New Testament Text: Introduction to the Art and
Science of Exegesis. Crossway Books, 2006.
Camery-Hoggatt, Jerry. Reading the Good Book Well: A Guide to Biblical Interpretation. Nashville: Abingdon
Press, 2007.
Carson, Donald. A. Exegetical Fallacies. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1996.
Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour. Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2002.
Fuller, D.P., “Interpretation,” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Rev. ed. 4 Vols. Geoffrey W.
Bromiley, ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982. 2:863-874.
Goodrick, Edward W. and John R. Kohlenberger. The NIV Exhaustive Concordance. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 2001.
Gorman, Michael, Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Peabody, Mass.:
Hendrickson, 2001
Green, Joel B., ed. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. Second edition. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2010.
----------. Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2007.
Grenz, Stanley J. A Primer on Postmodernism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
Grobel, K. “Interpretation,” The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. George Arthur Buttrick, ed. Abingdon:
Nashville, 1962. 2:718-724.
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Haynes, Stephen R., and Steven L. McKenzie, eds. To Each its Own Meaning: an Introduction to Biblical
Criticisms and Their Applications. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993.
Hernando, James D. Dictionary of Hermeneutics. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2005.
Jasper, David. A Short Introduction to Hermeneutics. Louisville, Westminster/John Knox, 2004.
Klemm, D.E., “Hermeneutics” Pages 497-502 in Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. Edited by John H.
Hayes. Nashville: Abingdon, 1999.
Long, Thomas G. Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1989.
Long, V. Philips. The Art of Biblical History. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994.
Longman, Tremper III. Literary Approaches to Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids, MI: Academie Books
[Zondervan], 1987.
McKim, Donald K., ed. Historical Handbook of Major Biblical Interpreters. Downers Grove: InterVarsity
Press, 1998.
McKnight, Scot, and Grant Osborne, eds. The Face of New Testament Studies: A Survey of Recent Research.
Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004.
Rogerson, J.W. and Werner G. Jeanrond, “Interpretation, History of,” Pages 424-442 in The Anchor Bible
Dictionary. 6 vols. Edited by David Noel Freedman, ed. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
Ryken, Leland. How to Read the Bible as Literature. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1985.
----------. Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1993.
Ryken, Leland and Tremper Longman III, eds. A Complete Literary Guide to the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 1993.
Sailhamer, John H. How We Got the Bible. Zondervan Quick Reference Library. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,
1998. [BS 445 S25]
Soulen, Richard N. and R. Kendall Soulen. Handbook of Biblical Criticism. 3rd ed., revised and expanded.
Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2001.
Stein, Robert H. A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible: Playing by the Rules. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1994.
Stuart, Douglas. Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors. 4th ed. Westminster/ John
Knox, 2009. [BS 476 S83]
Tate, W. Randolph. Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach. Rev. ed. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson,
1997.
----------. Interpreting the Bible: A Handbook of Terms and Methods. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2006.
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Waddell, Robby. The Spirit in the Book of Revelation. JPS Supplement 30. Blandford Forum, UK: Deo
Publishing, 2005.
http://www.biblewoot.com
http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/sitemap.php “Biblical Studies.org.uk: An Internet Resource for Studying
the Bible.”
http://www.library.yale.edu/div/biblegde.htm “Yale University Divinity School Library: Research Guide for
Christianity”
http://www.ntgateway.com/tools-and-resources/hermeneutics/ “The New Testament Gateway:
Hermeneutics” Mark Goodacre, Duke University.
http://www.sbl-site.org/educational/researchtools.aspx “Research Tools” SBL.
http://torreys.org/bible/ Torrey Seland, School of Mission and Teology, Norway. “Resource Page for Biblical
Studies .
http://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/resources/guide_headings.aspx “Wabash Center for Teaching and
Learning in Theology and Religion: Internet Guide to Religion”
Inclusion of a web site or book does not indicate agreement with everything contained therein.
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fax: 417.833.5141
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