Interpreting Biblical Texts (BS9662Y)

Content

This unit develops skills in the narrative-critical investigation of biblical texts, and in understanding how the narrative works to convey the theological perspective/s of its author/s. The narratives, chosen because of teacher and curriculum needs, will be the Book of Exodus, and either two of the Passion narratives and two of the Resurrection narratives, or two discrete sections of the Gospels chosen from The Lukan Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:48), or Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:29), or Mark 8:22- 10:52, or John’s Cana to Cana (2:1-4:54).

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

One foundational unit in Biblical Studies, or equivalent.

Pedagogy

A blend of asychronous and synchronous lectures and sychronous tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

• Bar Ephrat, Shimon. Narrative Art in the Bible. Bible and Literature. Series 17. Sheffield: JSOT, 1989.
• Blackburn, W. Ross. The God who makes himself Known: The Missionary Heart of the Book of Exodus. New Studies in Biblical Theology 28. Downers Grove, IL: Apollos, 2012.
• Brown, Raymond E. The Death of the Messiah: From Gethsemane to the Grave: A commentary on the Passion Narratives in the Four Gospels. New York: Doubleday, 1994.
• Coggins, Richard. The Book of Exodus. Peterborough: Epworth, 2010.
• Dozeman, Thomas B. God at War: Power in the Exodus Tradition. Oxford: OUP, 1996.
• Edelman, Diana V. et al. Opening the Books of Moses. Sheffield: Equinox, 2012.
• Moloney, Francis J. Reading the New Testament in the Church: A Primer for Pastors, Religious Educators and Believers. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015.
• Perkins, Pheme. Reading the New Testament: An Introduction. 3rd ed. New York: Paulist, 2012.
• Polak, Frank H. Exodus. Berit Olam. Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 2009.
• Pontifical Biblical Commission. The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church. Boston, MA: St Pauls, 1993.

Assessment