Biblical Studies

A study of the history, methods, and principles of biblical interpretation. Students will develop skills in interpreting different genres in both the Old and New Testaments. Other topics include the authority of the Bible as the Church's Scriptures and the relationship between the Testaments.

A study of the life and ministry of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels with special attention to background, exegesis and theological interpretation. Personal and social implications leading to spiritual formation and social responsiveness will be emphasized. This course is designed for general students.

An exegetical study of a selected corpus of Old Testament literature. The course will include an overview of the historical period within which these materials arose and specific attention to interpretive issues with regard to these materials.

This course focuses on key strategies and exegetical tools particular to interpreting the New Testament and its theology. Specific attention will be given to either New Testament narratives or letters. (Only students in the Five-Year Pastor-Scholar Program are eligible to take this course.)

An in-depth exegetical study of Old Testament or New Testament books. The course will emphasize the historic occasion, purpose, and theological message of the selected biblical books. It will survey relevant contemporary biblical hermeneutics. It will utilize inductive, grammatical, historic-critical, literary, and reader-oriented exegetical methods. The course will self-consciously focus on interpretation within and for the believing community.

This course explores the biblical texts regarding the different images and theological understandings of the Church mentioned in those materials. Since the New Testament draws extensively from the literary materials and theological understanding of Israel as the people of God as reflected in the Old Testament, this course will include materials throughout the Christian canon and critical reflection on divergent and/or similar concepts, themes, and images found within the biblical texts.

Este curso explora los textos bíblicos en relación con las diferentes imágenes y comprensión teológicas de la Iglesia mencionadas en esos materiales. Dado que el Nuevo Testamento se basa en gran medida en los materiales literarios y la comprensión teológica de Israel como el pueblo de Dios tal como se refleja en el Antiguo Testamento, este curso incluirá materiales de todo el canon cristiano y una reflexión crítica sobre conceptos, temas divergentes y/o similares, e imágenes que se encuentran dentro de los textos bíblicos. 

This course will examine texts from across the Protestant Christian canon (OT and NT) that directly speak to the tradition of equality, liberation and empowerment of all persons, especially those from historically marginalized communities. The class will critique interpretations of biblical texts that have been used to argue for the hierarchy of men over women and the subjugation of various people groups. The course will explore methods for faithful interpretation that celebrate a Wesleyan theological anthropology, which acknowledges the full humanity of all persons as created in God's image.

Este curso examinará textos de todo el canon cristiano protestante (AT y NT) que hablan directamente de la tradición de igualdad, liberación y empoderamiento de todas las personas, especialmente aquellas de comunidades históricamente marginadas. La clase criticará las interpretaciones de los textos bíblicos que se han utilizado para defender la jerarquía de los hombres sobre las mujeres y la subyugación de los pueblos. El curso explorará métodos para una interpretación fiel y verdadera que celebra una antropología teológica wesleyana, que reconoce la plena humanidad de todas las personas creadas a la imagen de Dios.