This unit equips students with skills for interpreting the Bible in its historical, social, cultural, and literary contexts. Students will examine the formation and transmission of biblical texts, engage critically with major genres and themes, and evaluate key methods in historical and literary criticism. Emphasis will be placed on the interpretive implications of contemporary contexts, enabling students to integrate critical analysis with theological reflection for scholarly and ministerial practice.
Unit code: BS8001Z
Unit status: Approved (Major revision)
Points: 24.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational
Unit discipline: Biblical Studies
Delivery Mode: Blended
Proposing College: St Francis College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Analyse the historical and literary contexts of the Old and New Testaments. |
| 2. | Interpret major biblical genres using historical and literary-critical methods. |
| 3. | Apply interpretive skills to selected biblical passages |
| 4. | Evaluate diverse interpretive approaches and their implications for contemporary biblical scholarship |
This is a foundational unit in Biblical Studies and is a prerequisite for elective units in field B.
Synchronous and asynchronous lectures and text-based tutorials
Carter, Warren. Seven Events that shaped the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.
Collins, John J. A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible: And Deutero-Canonical Books. 3rd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2018.
DeSilva, David A. The Apocrypha: Message, Context and Significance. Second Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2018.
Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2020.
Jacobson, Rolf A. and Michael J. Chan. Introducing the Old Testament: A Historical, Literary and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023.
Powell, Mark A. Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018.
Storie, Deborah R., Barbara Deutschmann, and Michelle Eastwood (eds) Reading the Bible in Australia. Wipf & Stock, 2024.
Siebert, Eric A. Enjoying the Old Testament: A Creative Guide to Encountering Scripture. Westmont, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2021.
Whitaker, Robyn. Even the devil quotes scripture: reading the Bible on its own terms. Eerdmanns, 2023.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source Analysis | Narrative Analysis |
1500 | 20.0 |
| Oral Presentation | Oral Presentation |
1500 | 20.0 |
| Exegesis | Exegesis |
2000 | 25.0 |
| Essay | Critical Review |
2000 | 25.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 14 Oct, 2025
Unit record last updated: 2025-10-14 16:43:58 +1100