INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL STUDIES
B300, Fall 2012
Wednesdays, 6:00–8:50 • McCormick Common Room
Instructors:
Melody D. Knowles
Joshua Yoder
Educational Assistant:
William Andrews
947-6340 (office)
845-485-3265 (home)
947-6287 (office)
574-389-9624 (home)
mknowles@mccormick.edu
804-221-6744
wandrews@ctschicago.edu
office hours: Wednesday afternoons
jyoder@mccormick.edu
office hours: Wednesday, 1:00-4:00
PURPOSE
This course will introduce participants to new ways of reading, studying, interpreting and
appropriating the Bible. It is focused on biblical interpretation, or exegesis, seeking to enable
students to develop their abilities to interpret different biblical texts and to incorporate the results
into coherent exegetical studies that take both the ancient and contemporary cultural contexts of
the text seriously. Students will explore a variety of interpretive methods and will practice using
them effectively. The course includes hands-on experience in exegeses of texts from two books
of the Bible, Genesis and Matthew.
OBJECTIVES
 Gain an introductory knowledge of two different biblical texts (Genesis and Matthew) and
some of the exegetical issues they raise (outcome 3).
 Explore various exegetical methods and see how they fit into the exegetical process
(outcome 3).
 Learn a process of critical biblical exegesis and practice interpretation in a written
exegetical study on a selected biblical text (outcome 3).
 In the context of a culturally diverse classroom, work with others to analyze ancient and
contemporary social locations and cultural contexts. This includes exploring issues and
assumptions about canon, lectionary, and authority and how these all affect our study of the
Bible (outcome 5).
 Develop research methods and familiarity with library resources that will be useful for
future exegesis sensitive to social location and cultural context (outcomes 3 & 5).
REQUIREMENTS
 Regular attendance and thoughtful participation in class which attest to your careful
preparation and critical reflection on the required readings. A high premium will be placed
on regular attendance (on time and with the appropriate texts in hand) and thoughtful
participation. During class, please turn your cell-phone off and do not send text messages,
check your email, etc. Before class, please complete the reading and homework
assignments in order to prepare adequately. (15% of grade)
 Short weekly exegetical homework projects to practice methods of interpretation (15% of
grade)
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

Two exegetical exercises:
Assignment 1: The Literary Shape of the Text (20% of grade, due Oct. 20)
Assignment 2: Ancient Historical & Cultural World of the Text (20% of grade, due
Nov. 14)
A complete exegesis paper incorporating the revised versions of the two exercises above
and including new material that pertains to your social and cultural location (30% of grade,
due Dec. 12)
These dues dates are mandatory, and there will be no unpenalized extensions.
Do not plagiarize. Please consult the document “Use of Sources” housed with the
syllabus on the moodle site.
Please let the instructors know if you have any health or learning issues that impact
your participation in this class and its methods of teaching and learning.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
All texts are also on reserve or in the reference section of JKM.

Two translations of the Bible:
One of these should be a study Bible based on the New Revised Standard Version
(NRSV), selected from the following list:
The Harper-Collins Study Bible. Rev. ed. Edited by Harold W. Attridge. New York:
HarperCollins, 2006.
The New Interpreter’s Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the
Apocrypha. Edited by Walter Harrelson. Nashville: Abingdon, 2003.
The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha. 3rd ed. Edited by Michael
Coogan. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
The other should be the one your own religious community uses most, e.g. the King
James Version (KJV) or the New International Version (NIV). You may also select as
your second translation the new Common English Bible, published in 2011.

For Genesis and the Old Testament:
Coogan, Michael D. The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the
Hebrew Scriptures. 2d ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Harrington, Daniel. Interpreting the Old Testament. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press,
1990.

For Matthew and the New Testament:
Harrington, Daniel. Interpreting the New Testament. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical
Press, 1990.
Throckmorton, Burton, Jr. Gospel Parallels. 5th ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

For theological research and proper citation of sources:
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 7th
ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2009.
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COURSE SCHEDULE AND READINGS
September 5
Introduction: Studying the Bible in Ancient and Modern Worlds
Our first class is an orientation to the course and to biblical study, examining issues such as
social locations and contexts within a community of interpreters, the authority of the Bible, as
well as questions such as what is biblical exegesis? In addition, there will be a short introduction
to moodle. In preparation, please complete these two assignments:
I. Write a paragraph (not more than a page) describing yourself and your community and the way
you and your community read, study, and interpret the Bible. Write your paragraph by
completing responses to the following statements:
1. My culture is/includes . . .
2. Aspects of my community that most affect my reading & interpretation of the Bible are . .
3. When I study the Bible my interpretation of it assumes that the biblical text is . . .
Bring a hard copy to class and post an electronic copy on our course website in order to
introduce yourself to the other members of the class.
II. Select the text you would like to study for your in depth practice in biblical interpretation
from the list of texts below. Select your three favorites from each book, Genesis and Matthew,
and arrange your six favorite texts in order of preference.
Genesis 9:1-17
Genesis 12:1-9
Genesis 16:1-16
Genesis 32:22-32
Genesis 45:1-15
Handouts:
Matthew 8:5-13
Matthew 12:1-8
Matthew 14:22-33
Matthew 21:33-46
Matthew 28:1-10
Finding a Way into the Biblical Text
Homework: Reading Through Genesis and Matthew – complete Matthew for next class (Sept.
12), Genesis for class September 19
PART I: ATTENDING TO THE LITERARY SHAPE OF THE BIBLICAL TEXT
September 12
Form and Literary Analysis of Matthew
Bring to class: homework: Reading Through Genesis and Matthew (Matthew only)
your initial thoughts on Finding a Way into the Biblical Text
Reading: the Gospel of Matthew (with reading guide on moodle)
Mark Allen Powell, What is Narrative Criticism? (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1990), chapter 1,
“Scripture as Story,” 1-10; chapter 4, “Events,” 35-44 only (44-50 will be useful for those
writing on Matthew); chapter 5, “Characters,” 51-58 only; chapter 6, “Settings,” 69-75
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only. For use in your exegesis, look over the questions for narrative analysis in the
appendix: “Using Narrative Criticism in Exegesis,” 103-105, as well as in David Rhoads
et al., Mark as Story (2d. ed.; Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999), 154-159.
Harrington, NT, chapter 6: “Form Criticism,” 70-84. NB: For each chapter in Harrington, also
consult the corresponding “Questions in Exegesis” at the back of the book (OT:
Appendix; NT: Appendix 2)
James Bailey and Lyle Vander Broek, Literary Forms in the New Testament: A Handbook
(Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1992), 98-122 (“Aphorism,” “Parable,” and
“Pronouncement Story”). additional material on some types of sayings; will be
especially helpful for those working on Matthew 21
Gerd Theissen, The Miracle Stories of the Early Christian Tradition (trans. Francis McDonagh;
Philadelphia: Fortress, 1983), 43-74, 85-112. an example of intensive form-critical
examination of one particular type of material (the miracle story); will be especially
helpful to those working on Matthew 8 and 14 (and possibly 28) to skim
Handouts:
Plot and Character Development
Introduction to Form Criticism
Homework: A Guide to Reading Through Genesis and Matthew (posted on moodle for Sept 8)
September 19
Form and Literary Analysis of Genesis
Bring to class: homework: Reading through Genesis and Matthew (Genesis)
Readings: Genesis (with reading guide on Moodle)
Harrington, OT, chapter 1, “Basic Literary Criticism” and chapter 5, “Form Criticism”
Handouts:
Forms in the Hebrew Bible
Stages in the Process of Composition
Homework: Practicing Form Criticism
Preparing for Source Criticism in Genesis
September 26
The Sources of Biblical Literature – The Larger Compositions Within
Books; Starting to write exercise 1
Bring to class: homework: Practicing Form Criticism; Preparing for Source Criticism in Genesis
Reading: Harrington, OT, chapter 6, “Source Criticism and Redaction Criticism”; NT, chapter 5,
“Source Criticism”
Bart Ehrman, “The Synoptic Problem and its Significance for Interpretation,” in The New
Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings (3rd ed.; New York:
Oxford University Press, 2004), 83-91.
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Handouts:
Exegesis Paper Hints for Literary Shape…Genesis
From Key Themes to Thesis
Hints for the Literary Shape…Matthew
In Class Group work on Form/Source/Redaction
Sources in Genesis
Homework: Practicing Source Criticism
October 3
Literary Form: The Redaction/Editing of Biblical Literature – Matthew
*Workshop: Using ATLA and FirstSearch*
Bring to Class: homework: Practicing Source Criticism
Reading: Harrington, NT, chapter 8, “Redaction Criticism.”
Mark Allen Powell, Fortress Introduction to the Gospels (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998), 61-84.
an overview of Matthew as redactor
Handouts:
In-class group work on Form/Source/Redaction
Some Key Verbal Threads in Matthew
Language for Jesus in Matthew
Homework: Matthew as Redactor
October 10
No class (reading week)
October 17
Literary Form: The Redaction/Editing of Biblical Literature – Genesis
Workshop: Citation/Bibliographic Form (with handout)
Bring to Class: homework: Matthew as Redactor
Reading: Coogan, Chapter 4, “The Formation of the Pentateuch,” 47-56, which introduces the
idea of multiple authorship in Genesis; chapter 5, “Primeval History,” 57-64 (only),
which traces J and P in Genesis 4-11; and chapter 6, “The Ancestors of Israel,” 71-77
(only), which discusses J, E, and P in Genesis 12-50.
Homework: Clues for the Ancient World of your Text
*Due October 20: Assignment 1: The Literary Shape of the Text*
submit via link in moodle
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PART II: ATTENDING TO THE ANCIENT WORLD OF THE BIBLICAL TEXT
October 24 Biblical Texts in Their Ancient Cultural World: Everyday Life and the
Social Practices and Norms of Biblical Society
Bring to Class: homework: Clues for the Ancient World of your Text
Reading: Harrington, OT, chapter 3 pt. A, “Archaeology”; postscript, pt. B, “Social Sciences”;
NT, chapter 4, “Words and Motifs”
Philip J. King and Lawrence E. Stager, Life in Biblical Israel (Louisville: Westminster John
Knox, 2001). “Introduction: The Importance of Everyday Life,” 1-5; “Family and
Kinship,” 36-61; “Meals for Family and Guests,” 61-68; “The Means of Existence,” 8592; “Patrimonial Kingdom,” 201-210; “Temples and Shrines,” 330-339; and “Religious
Practices,” 353-54, 357-63.
Shaye Cohen, “The Jewish ‘Religion’: Practices and Beliefs,” in From the Maccabees to the
Mishnah (2nd ed.; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2006), 51-54, 60-98.
Moyer Hubbard, Christianity in the Greco-Roman World (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2010), 2022, 24-30 (“Superstition”), 30-32 (“Magic”), 178-196 (“Household and Family”).
Bruce Malina and Richard Rohrbaugh, Social Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels
(Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992), introduction (1-17) and pp. 37-41, on Matthew 3:1-17.
Those working on texts from Matthew: read the section of the commentary corresponding
to your scripture passage.
Carolyn Osiek, “First Century Consciousness,” in What Are They Saying About The Social
Setting of the New Testament? (rev. ed.; New York: Paulist Press, 1992), 25-35. an
overview of a number of useful social-scientific concepts
Handouts:
Brief Outline of Israelite History
Exegesis Paper 2 Assignment (Ancient Cultural World of the Text)
Homework: Practicing Ancient Cultural/Social World Analysis
October 31
The Historical World of Biblical Peoples
Bring to Class: homework: Practicing Ancient Cultural/Social World Analysis
Reading: Harrington, OT, chapter 2, “Historical Criticism”; NT, chapter 7, “Historical
Criticism”
In addition, please read the selections that pertain to your exegesis assignment:
For the historical setting of the Yahwist (J), read the following:
 from Coogan: “The Deuteronomistic History” (194-196), which introduces the historical
work in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy-2 Kings) that contains information about the
historical backgrounds of both J and P; “History and the Israelite Confederation” (223228), which describes the period of the tribes (descendents of Jacob’s twelve sons in
Genesis) before the monarchy; “History” (241-244), which describes the establishment of
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
the monarchy; and “David” (253-255) and “History” (256-259), which describe the reign of
David, the probable historical context for the Yahwist (note that David’s tribe, Judah, is
given prominence in Genesis).
from the Bible: Joshua 24 and Judges 1, describing the tribal period; and 2 Samuel 5-10,
describing the establishment of the Davidic Monarchy (all from the Deuteronomistic
History).
For the historical setting of the Priestly Writer (P), read the following:
 from Coogan: chapter 23, “After the Fall: Jews in Judah and Babylon,” 379-384, which
describes Jews during the Babylonian Exile; and 390-391, which describes the relationship
between the Priestly Writer and Ezekiel, a prophet during the Exile; and chapter 24,
“Return from Exile” (398-403 only), which describes the Jewish return from exile and the
composition of the Priestly source.
 from the Bible: 2 Kings 24-25, which describes the fall of Jerusalem and the beginning of
the Babylonian Exile; and Ezra 1, which describes the beginning of the return from exile.
For the historical setting of the Gospels, read the following two chapters from Hershel Shanks
(ed.), Ancient Israel (Washington, D.C.: Biblical Archaeology Society, 1999).
 “The Age of Hellenism: Alexander the Great and the Rise and Fall of the Hasmonean
Kingdom,” by Lee Levine (231-264), which provides an overview of the historical period
leading up to the time of the New Testament
 “Roman Domination: The Jewish Revolt and the Destruction of the Second Temple,” by
Shaye Cohen, revised by Michael Satlow (265-298), which describes a century of Roman
rule culminating in the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem in 70 C.E.
Handouts:
Notes for “Ancient World” Homework
Homework: Practicing History and Geographical Analysis
November 7
Biblical Texts in Their Ancient Historical World: Understanding the
Historical Communities for Which Texts Were Written
Bring to class: homework: Practicing History and Geographical Analysis
Reading: Harrington, OT, chapter 3 pt. B, “Ancient Texts”; NT, chapter 4, “Words and Motifs,”
and chapter 9, “Parallels”
Warren Carter, Matthew and Empire: Initial Explorations (Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press
International, 2001), 35-53. description of urban life under the Roman Empire, as
Matthew and his community may have experienced it
*Due November 14: Assignment 2: The Ancient Cultural World of the Text*
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PART III: ATTENDING TO THE INTERPRETER’S WORLD
November 14
The Social/Religious Location of the Biblical Interpreter
*Due today (submit in moodle): Assignment 2: The Ancient Cultural World of the Text*
Reading:
choose two articles from the following list:
 Fernando Segovia, “Toward a Hermeneutics of the Diaspora: A Hermeneutics of Otherness
and Engagement” in Reading from this Place, vol. 1: Social Location and Biblical
Interpretation in the United States (ed. F. Segovia and Mary Ann Tolbert; Minneapolis:
Fortress, 1993), 57-73.
 Renita Weems, “Reading Her Way through the Struggle: African American Women and
the Bible,” in Stony the Road We Trod: African American Biblical Interpretation (ed. Cain
Hope Felder; Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991), 57-80.
 Robert Allen Warrior, “A Native American Perspective: Canaanites, Cowboys, and
Indians,” in Voices from the Margin: Interpreting the Bible in the Third World (ed. R. S.
Sugirtharajah; Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis, 1991). 287-95.
 Mary Ann Tolbert, “Christianity, Imperialism, and the Decentering of Privilege,” in
Reading from this Place, Vol. 2: Social Location and Biblical Interpretation in Global
Perspective (ed. Fernando Segovia and M. A. Tolbert; Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995), 347361.
 Frank Yamada, “Constructing Hybridity and Heterogeneity: Asian American Biblical
Interpretation from a Third-Generation Perspective,” in Ways of Being, Ways of Reading:
Asian American Biblical Interpretation (ed. Mary F. Foskett and Jeffrey Kah-Jin Kuan; St.
Louis: Chalice, 2006), 164-177.
 Gale A. Yee, “‘She Stood in Tears amid the Alien Corn’: Ruth, the Perpetual Foreigner and
Model Minority,” in Off the Menu: Asian and Asian North American Women’s Religion
and Theology (ed. Rita Nakashima Brock et al.; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2007),
45-64.
In addition, read two of the essays in pp. 3-76 of The People’s Bible (ed. Curtiss Paul DeYong et
al.; Philadelphia: Fortress, 2008). One of these essays should reflect the same context as
an article that you read above, and one essay should reflect your own social location.
NB: Be sure to look at the “Questions for the Readings” on the moodle site.
Homework: Practicing Social Location Analysis
November 21
No class, Thanksgiving Week
November 28
Reading Genesis and Matthew from Different Social Locations
Bring to class: homework: Practicing Social Location Analysis
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Reading: Harrington, NT, chapter 10, “Meaning of the Text”
Leticia A. Guardiola-Saenz, “Borderless Women and Borderless Texts: A Cultural Reading of
Matthew 15:21-28,” Semeia 78 (1997): 69-81.
Jacqueline Lapsley, “The Voice of Rachel: Resistance and Polyphony in Genesis 31.14-35,” in
Genesis (ed. Athalya Brenner; The Feminist Companion to the Bible, second series;
Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998), 233-248.
December 5
Issues of Interpretation: Authority, Translation, Canon, & Lectionary
Bring to Class: a statement on biblical authority from your own denomination
Readings: Harrington, NT chapter 2, “Textual Criticism,” and chapter 3, “Translations.”
Daniel Harrington, “Introduction to the Canon,” in The New Interpreter’s Bible, vol. 1
(Nashville: Abingdon, 1994), 7-21.
Mary Ann Tolbert, “A New Teaching with Authority: A Re-evaluation of the Authority of the
Bible,” in Teaching the Bible: The Discourses and Politics of Biblical Pedagogy (ed.
Fernando Segovia and Mary A. Tolbert; Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis, 1998), 168-189.
*December 12: Final paper due* (submit via moodle)
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Guide to Assembling Bibliographies (N. Bates; updated by C. Guite & A. Wirth, 2010)
Bibliographies are arranged alphabetically by last name, letter by letter. In case of identical last names,
alphabetize by the next given name. Bibliographies should be single-spaced, with a blank line between
each entry. If an entry spans more than one line, all lines after the first must be indented.
Footnotes are placed within the text, at the bottom of the page with the corresponding number. Footnotes
contain much of the same information as bibliographies but follow a different form. Footnotes should be
single spaced in the footer of each page, with the first line indented. The entry should end with the
specific page numbers being referenced for the note.
For more examples of footnote & bibliography style, see:
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 7th ed. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, 2007.
Also useful for bibliographic help specific to the field of biblical studies; however, their style does not
conform to Turabian in every particular:
Alexander, Patrick H. et al., eds. The SBL Handbook of Style. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1999.
The following is a short list of citation types commonly used in IBS papers.
N=footnote (citation information found at the bottom of each page)
B=bibliography (the summary of all citations at the end of your paper)
Book with a Single Author (Turabian 16.1)
N:
Note Number. Author's First and Last Names, Title of Book: Subtitle of Book (Place of Publication:
Publisher's Name, Date of Publication), XX-XX.
1.Charles E. Curran, Catholic Social Teachings 1891- Present (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown
University Press, 2002), 97-122.
B:
Author’s Last Name, First Name Middle Name. Title of Book: Subtitle of Book. Place of Publication:
Publisher, Date of publication.
Curran, Charles E. Catholic Social Teachings 1891-Present. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University
Press, 2002.
Translated Volume (Turabian 16.1)
N:
Note Number. Author's First and Last Names, Title of Book: Subtitle of Book, trans. Translator's First
and Last Names (Place of Publication: Publisher's Name, Date of Publication), XX-XX
2. Martin Buber, I and Thou, trans. Walter Kaufmann (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1970), 50-76.
B:
Author’s Last Name, Author's First Name. Title of Book: Subtitle of Book. Translated by Translator’s
First and Last Names. Place of Publication: Publisher's Name, Date of Publication.
Buber, Martin. I and Thou. Translated by W. Kaufmann. New York:Simon & Schuster, 1970.
Article in an Edited Volume (Turabian 16.1)
N:
Note Number. Article Author's First and Last Names, "Title of Article: Subtitle of Article," in Title of
Book: Subtitle of Book, ed. Editor's First and Last Names (Place of Publication: Publisher's Name, Date
of Publication), XX-XX.
3. Judith M. Gundry-Volf, "The Least and the Greatest: Children in the New Testament," in The
Child in Christian Thought, ed. Marcia J. Bunge (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001), 29-60.
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B:
Article Author’s Last Name, Article Author's First Name. “Title of Article: Subtitle of Chapter.” In Title
of Book: Subtitle of Book, edited by. Editor’s First and Last Names, page numbers. Place of
Publication: Publisher's Name, Date of publication.
Gundry-Volf, Judith M. “The Least and the Greatest: Children in the New Testament.” In The
Child in Christian Thought, ed. Marcia J. Bunge, 29-60. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.
Journal Article (Turabian 16.1)
In a footnote, cite the specific pages. In a bibliography cite the pages of the entire article.
N:
Note Number. Author's First and Last Names, "Title of Article: Subtitle of Article," Title Of Journal
Volume Number (Date of Publication): XX-XX.
4. Robert F. O'Toole, "The Literary Form of Luke 19:1-10," Journal of Biblical Literature 110, no. 1
(Spring 1991): 109-112.
B:
Author’s Last Name, Author's First Name. “Title of Article: Subtitle of Article.” Title of Journal
Volume Number (Date of Publication): XX-XX.
O’Toole, Robert F. “The Literary Form of Luke 19:1-10.” Journal of Biblical Literature 110, no. 1
(Spring 1991): 107-116.
Article in a Dictionary/Encyclopedia (SBL 7.2.28)
N:
Note Number. Author’s First and Last Names, “Title of Dictionary Entry,” Abbreviated Title of the
Dictionary/Encyclopedia Volume No.: Page Numbers.
13. Mark J. Olson, “Pentecost,” ABD 5: 222-23.
B:
Author’s Last Name, First Name Middle Name. “Title of Dictionary Entry.” Page number(s) in vol. # of
Dictionary/Encyclopedia Title. Edited by Editor’s Name. Total number of vols. Place of
Publication: Publisher, year of publication.
Olson, Mark J. “Pentecost.” Pages 222-23 in vol. 5 of The Anchor Bible Dictionary. Edited by David
Noel Freedman. 6 vols. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
A Work in a Series (which is often the case for commentaries) (SBL 7.2.22)
N:
Note Number. Author’s First and Last Names, Book Title (Abbreviated Name of Series Volume No.;
Place of Publication: Publisher, year of publication), Page numbers.
12. James D. G. Dunn, Romans 1-8 (WBC 38; Dallas: Word Books, 1988), XX-XX.
B:
Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. Book Title. Series Name volume number. Place of Publication:
Publisher, year of publication.
Dunn, James D. G. Romans 1-8. Word Biblical Commentary 38. Dallas: Word Books, 1988.
Multiple Works by the Same Author (Turabian 16.2.2)
When you are citing two or more sources from the same author, type his/her full name in the first bibliographic
entry. Replace the name with an eight-space line followed by a period in subsequent entries.
Kraus, Hans-Joachim. Psalms 1-59: A Commentary. Translated by Hilton C. Oswald. Minneapolis:
Augsburg, 1989.
________. Psalms 60-150: A Commentary. Translated by Hilton C. Oswald. Minneapolis: Augsburg,
1989.