Content

This unit will explore inter-cultural and cross-cultural readings of the Scriptures and especially of the New Testament from Asian Christian, cultural, religious, social and political contexts.

This will involve selected readings in Asian biblical theologies and analysis of exegetical and hermeneutical methods that are relevant and appropriate to Asian contexts and that inform and equip Christian communities in Asia and the Asian diaspora.

These methods will include post-colonial perspectives, inter-faith and inter-religious readings, liberation and Developing World theological viewpoints, and social justice and human rights perspectives. These will be used to explore the interpretation of select New Testament passages from the Gospels, the Pauline letters and Revelation in association with texts from the Old Testament Prophets.

Unit code: BN9006W

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: New Testament

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Apply appropriate exegetical methods to selected biblical texts that are particularly relevant to Asian contexts;

2.

Apply hermeneutical skills necessary for working thematically and theologically across both Testaments, with a primary focus on the New Testament, in relation to Asian biblical theologies;

3.

Identify key biblical texts and traditions of significance for the situations faced by (Christian) peoples in Asia, and the Asian diaspora

4.

Evaluate the hermeneutical significance of biblical perspectives for contemporary discussions of Asian religious, social and political issues.

5.

Analyse the Christian Scriptures in dialogue with Asian cultural, religious and philosophical literature.

Unit sequence

30 points in Field B

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bailey, Kenneth. Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels. London: SPCK, 2008.
  • Hwang, Andrew. and Samuel Goh, Song of Songs: Asia Bible Commentary Series. Carlisle: Langham Literature; Manila: Asian Theological Association, 2008.
  • Kanagaraj, Jey J. and Ian Kemp, The Gospel According to John: Asia Bible Commentary Series. Carlisle: Langham Literature; Manila: Asian Theological Association, 2008.
  • Kinukawa, Hisako. ed., Migration and Diaspora: Exegetical Voices of Women in Northeast Asian Countries. International Voices in Biblical Studies. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2014.
  • Nicholls, Bruce J. and Brian Wintle, Colossians & Philemon: Asia Bible Commentary Series. Carlisle: Langham Literature; Manila: Asian Theological Association, 2008.
  • Liew, Tat-siong Benny,* What Is Asian American Biblical Hermeneutics? Reading the New Testament*. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 2008.
  • Shao, Joseph Too. and Rosa Shao, Ezra & Nehemiah: Asia Bible Commentary Series. Carlisle: Langham Literature; Manila: Asian Theological Association, 2008.
  • Spurgeon, Andrew and Chiu Eng Tan, Book of Romans: Asia Bible Commentary Series. Carlisle: Langham Literature; Manila: Asian Theological Association, 2013.
  • Sugirtharajah, R.S., Asian Biblical Hermeneutics and Postcolonialism Contesting the Interpretations. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999. (recommended for purchase)
  • Tan, Kim Huat, The Gospel According to Mark: Asia Bible Commentary Series. Carlisle: Langham Literature; Manila: Asian Theological Association, 2013. (recommended for purchase)
  • Trebilco, Paul. and Simon Rae, 1 Timothy: Asia Bible Commentary Series. Carlisle: Langham Literature; Manila: Asian Theological Association, 2008.
  • Wintle, Brian C. ed., South Asia Bible Commentary: A One-Volume Commentary on the Whole Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015. (recommended for purchase)
  • Yeo, K.K., ed., From Rome to Beijing: Symposia on Roberts Jewett’s Commentary on Romans. Lincoln: Prairie Muse, 2012.
  • Yung, Hwa. Mangoes or Bananas?: The Quest for an Authentic Asian Christian Theology. 2nd ed., Oxford: Regnum, 204; Maryknoll: Orbis, 2015.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegetical Essay

Exegetical essay (3000 words)

3000 50.0
Critical Review

Critical Review of Readings (1500 words)

1500 20.0
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar/tutorial paper (1500 words)

1500 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2020-10-09 09:45:53 +1100