COS 121 Bible I: Introduction
Date: April 8-9 and May 6-7, 2015
(Friday 4:00 pm -7:00 pm & Saturday 8:00 am -3:30 pm)
Instructor: Angie Eunjoo Lee
Email: pastoreunjoo@gmail.com
Phone: (217) 369-1292)
Course of Description:
This course introduces biblical interpretation. Attention is given to the inspiration, formation, and function of
the canon and to the development of a methodology of interpretation consistent with the nature of scripture.
The importance of the Bible as a witness to the life and faith of ancient Israel and earliest Christianity will be
emphasized.
Students will be able to:
1. Articulate the place of scripture in the life of the congregation and the role of the pastor in
interpretation.
2. Understand the inspiration and formation of the canon and its authority within the community of faith.
3. Understand and apply historical, literary, and theological approaches to various types of literature in
scripture using Genesis, Hosea and Amos, Mark, and Philippians.
4. Develop a method of exegesis consistent with the nature and authority of the Bible.
Texts:
 Anderson, Bernhard. The Unfolding Drama of the Bible, 4th Ed. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press,
2006.
 Fee, Gordon & Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, 4th Ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,
2014.
 Hayes, John & Holladay, Carl. Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook, 3rd Ed. Louisville, London:
Westminster John Knox Press, 2007.
Supplemental:
 Beach, Maxine Clarke. The Bible: The Book that Bridges the Millennia. Part 1: Origins & Formation. New
York: General Board of Global Ministries, 1998
 Borg, Marcus. Reading the Bible Again for the First Time. San Francisco: Harper, 2002.
 Brueggemann, Walter. The Bible Makes Sense. Winona: Saint Mary’s Press, 1997
 Fee, Gordon D.; Strauss, Mark L. How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth: A Guide to
Understanding and Using Bible Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009
 Hamilton, Adam. Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of the Scripture Today. New York:
HarperOne, 2014.
 Tickle, Phyllis. Emergence Christianity. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks, 2012.
COS 121 Bible I by Angie Eunjoo Lee
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Instructions: how to format your homework
1. Write your paper, using a 12-point font with single space, and send electronically to the instructor’s
email address (pastoreunjoo@gmail.com) by 11:59 pm on the due date. If you have troubles with
email, hard copies will be acceptable (Mail them to 115 S Bayberry Ct. Bloomington, IL 61704)
2. Type the questions before your answers.
3. If you quote from a printed text, use quotation marks and note the source. Ideas and information
should be stated in your own words, not in the words of the authors you have read.
4. Bring your paper with you for your own use during the class.
Course Requirements:
1. Class attendance and participation in class discussions (30%)
2. Homework (30%)
3. Final Paper (40%)
Homework (due date: April 1, 2015)
1. Read How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Summarize Fee and Stuart’s discussion of the Reader as
an Interpreter and the Nature of Scripture. (200-300 words). Explain the historical and the literary
contexts of 1 Corinthians, and interpret the meaning of this letter for here and now. (400-600 words).
2. Read Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook. Briefly (one paragraph each) describe the 10 types of
exegesis in Biblical Exegesis.
3. Read The Unfolding Drama of the Bible. Anderson sees the Bible as a great drama in this book. Explain
his main idea of three major “acts” of God and. (400-600 words).
Final Paper (due date: May 14, 2015)
1. Explain inspiration and formation of the canon and its authority within the community of faith in the 21
century. (400-600 words).
2. Choose one of the passages that many people are struggling with interpretation in their culture, and
answer the following questions (800-1,000 words):
o Why did you choose this passage?
o Why do you think people have difficulties on this specific passage?
o How do you understand this passage and apply it to the community of faith? Start with the
analysis of biblical passage, have some exegetical works, and deal with text hermeneutically
and contextually.
COS 121 Bible I by Angie Eunjoo Lee
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