ESTON COLLEGE
BTH 100: BIBLE ORIGINS AND INTERPRETATION
3 CREDIT HOURS
DEAN PINTER, PHD (DUNELM)
FALL TERM, 2011
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course seeks to assist students in answering for themselves several of the
foundational questions related to Scripture, including: Why are there 66 "books" in the
Bible - Why not more? Or, Why not less? Are modern English translations a reliable
transmission of the Hebrew and Greek documents of the Old and New Testaments? Why
should this ancient collection of texts be authoritative for modern Christians? How
should one interpret the Bible?
II. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Cognitive Domain:
A. KNOWLEDGE - The student will be able to articulate:
1. The nature of the biblical canon.
2. The history of the transmission and translation of Old and New Testaments
3. The relation of the Bible to the people of God in their historical context, then and
now.
4. The essential components and tools of methodical study of biblical literature.
B. SKILLS - The student will be able to do effective individual inductive Bible study
Affective Domain:
C. GOALS
1. The Bible becomes an open and friendly book for each student.
2. Each student is able to interpret Scripture effectively
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III. CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
A.
B.
C.
D.
We expect the classroom to be a lively and engaging environment. Student
participation is welcomed any time. Be free to comment or raise questions.
You will be regarded as an adult learner, please act accordingly by allowing the
classroom to be a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.
You are expected to come prepared and ready to participate for every class.
Students may have two unexcused absences; after this a 5% deduction off your
final grade will be added for every unexcused absence (i.e., not including major
illness, family crisis, or travel for Eston College sponsored events). Students
missing more than five classes in total will not receive credit for the course.
Please note that if the door to the classroom is closed, do not enter; you are late
and will marked as absent for the class.
IV. COURSE PROCEDURES, UNDERSTANDINGS, AND EVALUATION
Welcome! We are excited about this course of study. We believe you will find it
interesting, valuable and challenging. We trust that you will complete the course with a
sense of accomplishment.
A. SPECIAL NEEDS:
1. Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent them from fully
demonstrating their abilities should contact the instructor personally as soon as
possible to discuss any accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and
facilitate equal education opportunity.
2. Learning assistance may be provided in the form of scheduled tutorial sessions with
the Teaching Assistant and through group study assistance.
B. DUE DATES AND TIMES:
1. Complete readings before class to facilitate learning and discussion.
2. All assigned papers are due at the beginning of class unless otherwise specified.
Papers handed in after the beginning of the class are considered a day late and will
be deducted according to the college late assignment policy.
3. Assignments are due whether or not you are present on that day. Turn them in the
preceding class or send them with someone.
C. WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS:
1. Assignments and exams need to be typed or written in pen. A single line cross out
of a word results in a neater paper than a black blot. Neatness does affect the
evaluation score.
2. Organization and paragraph structure are considered in evaluation of papers and
exams.
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3. All handed-in papers must follow the current Eston College Format Guide unless
specified by the professor.
D. LIBRARY:
Reminder: Reference materials may not be removed from the library. Please consider
the number of students who need to use them. The Bookstore has some Bible
Dictionaries for private purchase.
E. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Any evidence of cheating or plagiarism results in a zero for the assignment or quiz and
jeopardizes passing the course (See "Academic Misconduct Policy" in The Student
Handbook).
F. GRADING
1. Teaching Assistants will be assisting in grading the quizzes and some of the
papers. Every effort will be made to ensure consistent evaluation. If you wish to
appeal a grade, the instructor is willing to do so. Note, however, that the score
could be lowered as well as raised.
2. When letter grades are assigned the scale is: Excellent A-90%, Above Average
B-80%, Average C-70%, Below Average D-60%.
G. TIME INVESTMENT
This course requires consistent, daily/weekly reading, reflection, and writing. On
average, students should expect to spend approximately 1.5 hours in preparation for
every one hour spent in class. That is, you should plan for approximately 5 ½ hours
(minimum) of study outside of class per week. Plan accordingly. This is not a course
that one can "catch-up" on with a few "all-nighters" during the semester.
In-Class Instruction:
Reading:
Quiz Preparation:
Papers:
38 hours
10 hours
8 hours
39 hours
Total Time Investment: 95 hours
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H. EVALUATION
Quizzes
Paper 1
Paper 2
Paper 3
Paper 4
Total
4 x 10%
10%
5%
20%
25%
8 hours [2 hours/quiz preparation]
6 hours – Due: ???
3 hours – Due: ???
15 hours – Due: ???
15 hours – Due: ???
100%
47 hours
V. COURSE SCHEDULE
Date
Topic
Assignment
PART 1: WHY THESE 66 BOOKS?
September
Tue 21st
1. Course Introduction
Thu 23rd
2. Old Testament Canon
[Outline pp. 23-26]
Tue 28th
Tutorial: Paper #1
Thu 30th
Bloom’s Taxonomy, pp.14-15
Read:
Hebrew Bible & Protestant OT, p.16
The OT Canon & Apocrypha, pp. 17-22
Read:
“The Canon of the OT”, pp. 27-32
3. OT Bible of the Early Church
Read:
“Early Lists of the Books of the
New Testament”, pp. 33-37
4. NT Canon
[Outline pp.38-39]
Read:
“The Canon of the NT”, pp. 40-47
Stages of Dev. of NT Canon, p.48
Due:
PAPER #1 (10%)
October
Tue 5th
PART 2: IS THE BIBLE RELIABLE?
Thu 7th
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QUIZ #1 (10%)
A reading from The Chosen
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Tue 12th
5. OT Text
[Outline pp.79-81]
Thu 14th
6. NT Text
[Outline pp.82-89]
Tue 19th
6. NT Text continued
Thu 21st
7. Translation & Choosing a Translation
[Outline pp.91-92]
Read:
Text of Hebrew Scriptures, p.50
Geisler & Nix, pp. 51-69
Fee, “Textual Criticism,” pp. 70-78
Due:
PAPER #2 (5%)
PART 3: FROM ANCIENT TEXT TO GOD’S WORD
Tue 26th
Thu 28th
QUIZ #2 (10%)
8. What’s a “Worldview”?
[Outline pp.120-124]
Read:
Begin Wright article, pp.94-116
Elements of a worldview, p.117
Premodern & Modern WV, p. 118
Premodern-Modern-Post., p.119
9. The Role of Presuppositions
[Outline pp.127-130]
Read:
Sociological Comparisons, p. 125
Ancient Cosmologies, p. 126
November
Tue 2nd
10. Biblical Authority
Thu 4th
Discuss Paper #3
Tue 9th
Reading Break
Thu 11th
Remembrance Day – Reading Break
Due:
PAPER #3 (20%)
PART 4: BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION
Tue 16th
QUIZ #3 (10%)
11. Lectio Divina, Exegesis
& Hermenuetics
[Outline pp.143-146]
Read:
“The Jogging Monk,” pp. 132-135
“Professor Agassiz,” pp. 136-139
“Luther Concerning…,” pp. 140-142
.
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Thu 18th
12. Literary Genres (Law/Narrative)
Read:
“Types of Biblical Lit.,” p.147
Terms of Literary Structure, p.148
Interpreting Narrative, pp.149-153
Tue 23rd
12. Literary Genres (Poetry/Prophets)
Read:
Interpreting the Psalms, pp. 154-157
Interpreting the Prophets, pp. 158-63
Genesis
Thu 25th
12. Literary Genres (Gospels/Parables) Read:
Interpreting the Gospels, pp. 164-169
Interpreting Parables, pp. 170-175
Tue 30th
12. Literary Genres (Epistles/Apocal)
Read:
Interpreting Epistles, pp. 176-180
Interpreting Apocalyptic, pp.181-187
Thu 2nd
13. Inductive Bible Study Method
Read:
Inductive Bible Study Method,
pp.189-194
[i.e., Instructions for your paper]
Do’s & Don’ts, p. 195
Use of Commentaries, pp.196-201
Tue 7th
14. Observation & Analysis
Thu 9th
15. Interpretation & Application
Read:
“Literal Church,” pp.202-203
Tue 14th
Writing an Exegetical Paper
Read:
Writing an Exegesis Paper,
pp. 204-209
Thu 16th
“My Name is Judah ben Jacov”
Due:
PAPER #4 (25%)
December
NOTE: Quiz #4 will be scheduled during Final Exams – December 20-21
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VI. SESSION OBJECTIVES & VOCABULARY
After reading the materials and participating in the class session, the student will be able
to:
1. Introduction to the Course
1) Understand the course mechanics, expectations and structure
2) Explain the levels of thought in Bloom’s Taxonomy
2. The Old Testament Canon
1) Define “canon” and “canonization”
2) Describe the principles of OT canonization
Vocabulary:1
canon*
canonization
council of Jamnia*
3. The Old Testament Bible of the Early Church
1) Understand the role of the Septuagint (LXX)
2) Describe the various canonical developments in the Christian East
(Greek) and Christian West (Latin)
Vocabulary:
Septuagint (LXX)*
Hexapla*
Athanasius*
Jerome*
Augustine*
4. The New Testament Canon
1) Describe the reasons for canonization
2) Explain the criteria for canonicity in the early church
Vocabulary:
Marcion(ism)*
Pseudepigrapha*
Muratorian Canon List*
1
If any of the vocabulary words are highlighted with an asterisk (*), the definition for that word will be
provided in the Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms or Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies.
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5. The Text of the Old Testament
1) Describe the process of preparation and preservation of biblical
manuscripts
2) Describe the major Hebrew Old Testament manuscripts
3) Explain the similarities and differences between the Dead Sea
Scrolls and the Masoretic Text
4) Describe the nature of the Old Testament manuscripts
5) Explain the basic “rules” for Old Testament textual criticism
6) Possess a general understanding of the Old Testament text-types
Vocabulary:
papyrus*
parchment*
codex*
textual criticism*
Masoretes/Masoretic Text*
Dead Sea Scrolls*
Septuagint (LXX)*
Samaritan Pentateuch*
6. The Text of the New Testament
1) Describe the special significance of New Testament textual criticism
2) Explain the need for New Testament textual criticism
3) Explain and differentiate between the three major sources for the
New Testament text
4) Describe the four main New Testament text-types
5) List the major periods in New Testament textual criticism
6) Describe the basic considerations for how (i.e., the “method”) textual
criticism is done
7) Provide reasons for the overall trustworthiness of the OT & NT Text
Vocabulary:
uncials*
minuscule*
lectionaries*
text-type
textus receptus*
B.F. Westcott and F.J.A. Hort*
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7. The English Translation of the Bible
1) Describe the general history of the translation of the Bible in English
2) Understand the differences between modern English translations
3) Possess a broad criteria for choosing a translation
Vocabulary:
John Wycliffe
William Tyndale
8. Worldview
1) Explain what a “worldview” is and the elements that form one’s
worldview
2) Understand the interaction between worldviews and theology
Vocabulary:
worldview
stories
questions
symbols
praxis
9. The Role of Presuppositions
1) Define “presupposition” and explain how presuppositions shape
biblical interpretation
2) Explain the differences between ancient cosmologies/worldviews
and modern cosmologies/worldviews
Vocabulary:
presupposition
cosmology
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10. Biblical Authority
1) Understand different approaches to the question of “Biblical
Authority”
2) Develop a preliminary understanding of how the Bible is
authoritative
Vocabulary:
Inspiration*
Plenary inspiration*
Inerrancy*
Infallibility*
Sola scriptura*
11.
Lectio Divina & Exegesis
1)
2)
3)
4)
Explain the difference between “exegesis” and “hermeneutics”
Explain the difference between “exegesis” and “eisegesis”
Explain the need to interpret
Broadly define lectio divina
Vocabulary:
Exegesis*
Eisegesis*
Hermeneutics*
Lectio Divina
Illumination*
Oratio
Meditatio
Tentatio
12. Literary Genres
1) Be able to identify the major biblical literary genres
2) Be able to explain, broadly, the major biblical literary genres
Vocabulary: [see Genre descriptions for related vocabulary]
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13. Inductive Reasoning and Biblical Study
1)
2)
3)
4)
Explain the difference inductive and deductive reasoning
Explain what Biblical and Historical Criticism mean
Understand the various steps of Inductive Bible Study
Explain the purpose and place of commentaries
Vocabulary:
Inductive & Deductive reasoning
Biblical criticism*
Historical criticism*
14. Observation & Analysis
1) Describe the process of observation and what one identifies in this
step
2) Explain the significance of “cultural-historical context” and “literary
context” and the difference between them
3) Explain why the observation step is necessary
4) Describe the process of analysis step of inductive Bible study
5) List 4 primary characteristics of the narrative genre and 4 principles
for interpreting it
6) Explain why the analysis step is necessary
15. Interpretation and Application
1) List and explain the elements of the interpretation step
2) Explain why the interpretation step is necessary
3) Explain the elements and process involved in applying the Bible to
our contemporary context
4) Express how the Bible continues to be relevant even though the
revelations took place in a different cultural context
5) Explain why each step of inductive study is necessary and the logic
of their order
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VII. Bibliography
Required Textbooks:
An English translation of the Bible (NRSV, NIV, or TNIV preferred)
Grenz, Stanley J., David Guretzki, Cherith Fee. Pocket Dictionary of Theological
Terms. Downers Grove: IVP, 1999.
Patzia, Arthur G., Anthony J. Petrotta. Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies. Downers
Grove: IVP, 2002.
Pinter, Dean L. Bible Origins & Interpretation: A Supplemental Text for
Understanding the Bible. Eston, SK.: 2010.
Recommended Reading:
Bruce, F.F. The Canon of Scripture. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1988.
Comfort, P.W. The Origin of the Bible. Carol Stream: Tyndale House, 2003.
Evans, Craig A., and Emanuel Tov (eds.). Exploring the Origins of the Bible: Canon
Formation in Historical, Literary, and Theological Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker,
2008.
Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 1982.
Gaebelein, Frank E. (ed). The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Volume 1 – Introductory
Articles. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1979.
Greenlee, J. Harold. Introduction to New Testament Textual Criticism. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1975.
Metzger, Bruce M. The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and
Restoration. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992.
________. The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origins, Development, and
Significance. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1992.
Packer, J.I. Truth & Power: The Place of Scripture in the Christian Life. Wheaton:
Harold Shaw Publishers, 1996.
Würthwein, Ernst. The Text of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.
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