Biblical Hermeneutics for Mission and Ministry (BS9740Z)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit surveys the variety of methodologies of biblical interpretation and hermeneutical perspectives by which contemporary meaning is made from ancient scripture. Current approaches to scripture will be evaluated critically, and students will explore their own hermeneutic strategies. The unit will include:

  1. An overview of historical developments in biblical interpretation up to the mid 20th century
  2. A detailed examination of the developments and changes in biblical hermeneutics since the mid 20th century
  3. A series of workshops and discussions on a range of contemporary biblical interpretation
  4. Opportunities to apply different approaches to the biblical text and to explore the intersection between hermeneutics and a variety of contemporary contexts.

Unit code: BS9740Z

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Biblical Studies

Delivery Mode: Blended

Proposing College: Uniting College for Leadership and Theology

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically discuss the history of biblical interpretation, taking into account historical, philosophical and theological developments, and analyse the shifts in methodologies and perspectives that have taken place
2.

Critically analyse the hermeneutical strategies used by selected prominent homileticians of the past and evaluate the use and limitations of these strategies for contemporary mission and ministry contexts
3.

Critically analyse the hermeneutical challenges of selected contemporary issues and communicate a nuanced and sophisticated response to these issues, drawing on diverse biblical traditions
4.

Employ knowledge and skills developed in the unit to critique and develop resources suitable for selected ministry context(s)

Unit sequence

A unit available for elective postgraduate study

Pedagogy

UCLT uses primary and secondary sources considered through different lenses to identify and explore the challenges of the unit material for the contemporary world. Students are engaged in a range of comparative, analytical and reflective practices to identify the original meanings of the text in their contexts and to interpret them hermeneutically.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bauckham, R. The Bible in the Contemporary World: Hermeneutical Ventures, 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2015.
  • Crossley, James G. Reading the New Testament: Contemporary Approaches. London & New York, Routledge, 2010.
  • Hauser, A. J. and Watson, D. F. (eds.) A History of Biblical Interpretation: The Ancient Period (Vol. 1). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.
  • Hauser, A. J. and Watson, D. F. (eds.) A History of Biblical Interpretation: The Medieval Through the Reformation Periods (Vol. 2). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009.
  • Horrell, D.G., Hunt, C., Southgate C. & Stavrakopoulou, F., eds. Ecological Hermeneutics: Biblical, Historical and Theological Perspectives. London: T & T Clark, 2010.
  • Jensen, Alexander. Theological Hermeneutics. London: SCM, 2007.
  • Keane, Niall, C. Lawn, eds. The Blackwell Companion to Hermeneutics. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2016.
  • Liew, Tat-siong Benny. What is Asian American Biblical Hermeneutics? Reading the New Testament. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2007.
  • Soulen, R. * Sacred Scripture: A Short History of Interpretation.* Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2009.
  • Thiselton, Anthony C. Hermeneutics: An Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2009.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Source Analysis

Guided Responses analysing hermeneutical approaches

 1000 10.0
Essay

Critical evaluation of the hermeneutical strategies of two expository sermons based on the same biblical passage.

 2000 30.0
Investigation

Develop a biblical and hermeneutical perspective on a contemporary issue, in dialogue with three biblical interpretive approaches, mindful of their development over time.

 3000 40.0
Learning Resource

Develop a resource suitable to apply knowledge gained for a named contemporary context.

1500 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 8 May, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-05-08 09:24:42 +1000