COURSE SYLLABUS
Biblical Interpretation 2024
COURSE DIRECTOR
Saturday 27 July, 14h00 – 16h00 (Virtual/Zoom)
Saturday 3 August, 9h00 – 16h30 (Physical Class, Johannesburg)
Saturday 10 August, 14h00 – 16h00 (Virtual/Zoom)
CLASS LOCATION
Johannesburg Church of Christ, NW Region, 115 CR Swart Drive, Sandowner
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES:
To demonstrate an understanding of the significant issues in exegesis (comprehension) and the appropriate use of such in interpreting and applying biblical texts (contextualization) by achieving at least an overall course mark of 80%, evaluated as described below under “Course Evaluation.”
OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS:
Reading, reflection paper, class participation and exegesis paper.
TEACHING METHODOLOGY:
The course accommodates two categories of students:
- Graded students will be evaluated as described below (Course Evaluation).
- Non-graded students do not submit assignments but to benefit fully from the course, they should read the prescribed book, watch the video and participate actively in the classes.
REQUIRED READING AND VIEWING:
Book: Fee & Stuart, How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan (2003)
Video: How we read the Bible in Churches of Christ with John Mark Hicks, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kazd11S6Ok (2024)
Articles (for graded students): Stuart, What commentaries are and are not (1990); Trollip, Exegesis Paper on Colossians 2:6-15 (2011)
Extra Credit Book (for graded students): Thielicke, A Little Exercise for Young Theologians (1962)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
- Pre-class Reading and Video Viewing
The prescribed book and video should be completed before class on 3 August 2024. - Pre-class Assignment (graded students)
Submit a 2-3 page reflection paper on “How to Read the Bible for all its Worth” before class on 3 August. Note: A reflection paper is NOT a summary of the material but your personal response to it. - Final Project (graded students)
The final project will be an exegesis paper of between 12 and 18 pages on a selected biblical passage. The paper should be in similar style to the paper written by Noeleen Trollip on Colossians 2:6-15. The paper is to be submitted to neil.trollip@live.co.za electronically before 23:00 on 13 October 2024 as a Microsoft Word or pdf document.
- Formatting Requirements (graded students)
For reflection and exegesis papers, form and grammar will be considered in grading the student’s work. All papers should use double spacing with 12pt font for the main text and 10pt font for footnotes. A Title Page with the Course Name, your Name and Submission Date must be included. Papers should be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word or PDF format. - Extra Credit (graded students)
Prepare a 2-3 page reflection paper on Thielicke, A Little Exercise For Young Theologians, and submit it to neil.trollip@live.co.za electronically before 23:00 on 13 October 2024.
COURSE EVALUATION:
For purposes of grading students, assignments and participation will be weighted as follows:
Pre-class reading
20%
Reflection paper
15%
Class attendance and participation
25%
Exegesis paper
40%
Extra credit reflection paper
10%
Any attempt by a student to misrepresent their work (including plagiarism) is a basis for dismissal from class and/or the Ministry Training Academy.
Assignments will be accepted late. However, late assignments will result in a penalty in the form of a lower grade. The grade may be lowered by as much as 10% for each day that the work is late.
COST:
Graded students:
R700
Ungraded students:
R350
REGISTRATION:
Register by completing the form below:
