UMS : Unit: BS9025W

Content

In this unit, students will explore the theory and practice of reading Christian Scriptures with people in different cultural contexts. Factors taken into account include the context, cultures, worldviews, heritages and traditions of the biblical authors, in dialogue with the context of contemporary readers. Students will explore common theological understandings of the work of the Holy Spirit in the inspiration of Christian Scripture, as well in the hermeneutic process, and will be introduced to frameworks and methodologies for reading of Scripture interculturally with others. Pathways for missional engagement, conversation and dialogue that result from reading Scriptures interculturally with others will be explored.

Unit code: BS9025W

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Biblical Studies

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.	Identify socio-cultural and worldview influences in Christian Scriptures as well as in the readers of a text.
2.	Evaluate biases that the socio-cultural and religious backgrounds have on readers of Christian Scripture.
3.	Evaluate a range of methods for interpreting Christian Scriptures
4.	Create and implement a methodology for practicing intercultural hermeneutics.
5.	Explain the missiological implications of competing interpretations of Scripture

Unit sequence

A foundational unit in the Hebrew Bible or in the New Testament

Pedagogy

Lectures; Tutorials; Praxis – Reading Scripture with various cultural groups within Melbourne in order to participate and practice intercultural hermeneutic methods.

Indicative Bibliography

Dube, Musa, Andrew Mbuvi, and Dora Mbuwayesango, eds. Postcolonial Perspectives in African Biblical Interpretations. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2012.
Georges, Jayson. 1 Peter: An Honor-Shame Paraphrase. NP: Timē Press, 2017.
Kraft, Charles. Issues In Contexualization. Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2016.
Newell, Marvin J. Crossing Cultures in Scripture: Biblical Principles For Mission Practice. Downers Grove: IVP, 2016. (Recommended for purchase)
Nyabera, Fred, and Taryn Montgomery. Tamar Campaign, Contextual Bible Study Manual on Gender-Based Violence. Nairobi: FECCLAHA, 2007.
Riches, John. What is Contextual Bible Study? London: SPCK, 2010.
Sanneh, Lamin. Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on Culture. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2009.
Richards, E. Randolph, and Brandon J. O’Brien. Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible. Madison: Intervarsity Press, 2012.
de Wit, Hans, and Janet Dyk, eds. Bible and Transformation: The Promise of Intercultural Bible Reading. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2015.
Wu, Jackson, One Gospel For All Nations: A Practical Approach to Biblical Contextualisation. Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2015.

Assessment

Type	Description	Word count	Weight (%)
Investigation	Investigation 2000 words	2000	25.0
Critical Review	Critical Review 2000 words	2000	25.0
Investigation	Investigation 2000 words	2000	25.0
Exegesis	Exegesis 2000 words	2000	25.0

Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 9 Oct, 2020

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:51 +1000