Course Description

The primacy of the Bible for faith and practice is at the heart of Christianity. Thus, in order to work out lives of gospel faithfulness and relevance, Christians must engage in the wise interpretation and application of Scripture. This is the main theme of this course.

The course is premised on the conviction that the Bible commends itself to be read through the engagement of the whole person–heart, mind, soul, and strength –in the context of community. In this vein, the course will help the student reflect seriously on these two dimensions of interpreting the biblical text.

This course is designed with an emphasis on adult learning, often involving discussions on the interpretation of biblical texts which the students have studied before the class (“flipped learning”), providing students time to raise questions and sharpen their interpretive skills. (Due to this, audit students should be aware that they should attempt the shorter exegetical exercises if they desire fuller learning benefits even though these exercises are not technically required for audit students).

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Instructor

Ms Sun Jiani

Lecturer

Jiani is currently finishing her DPhil in Theology/Hebrew Bible at the University of Oxford. Her dissertation is on the Wisdom of Solomon in which she argues that scriptural interpretation enables the reading community to re-experience God’s saving acts in history. Originally from Shanghai, China, she has spent six years in the US before she comes to Oxford. She received her BA in Biblical Studies and Philosophy from Wheaton (IL) in 2018 and then completed an MAR at Yale Divinity School in 2020. She enjoys reading, cooking, and hosting people with her husband.

  • Location

    Online via Zoom
    (with Blended Learning)

    First and Last Sessions are in-person for local students at

    DM360
    360 Dunearn Rd
    Singapore 299552

  • Dates

    (Tuesdays)

    Feb: 20
    Mar: 5, 19
    Apr: 2, 16, 30
    May: 14

    Closing Date for Registration:
    Feb 16, 2024

  • Time

    7:15–10.00PM

Course curriculum

  • 1

    General

    • HE101 Biblical Hermeneutics and Interpretation

    • Library Membership

    • Sample Exegesis Papers
  • 2

    Session 2 (Self-Study): The Need for Interpretation

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Notes for Lecture 1

    • Video Lecture 1: The Need for Interpretation part 1

    • Video Lecture 1: The Need for Interpretation part 2

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 1: The Need for Interpretation
  • 3

    Session 3 (Live): How to Read the Book: Sentences, Paragraphs, Discourses (Live)

    • PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING READINGS AND VIDEO LECTURES BEFORE COMING TO TUTORIAL

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Note for Lecture 2

    • Video Lecture 2: How to Read the Book part 1

    • Video Lecture 2: How to Read the Book part 2

    • Video Lecture 2: How to Read the Book part 3

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 2: How to Read the Book Part 1

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 2: How to Read the Book Part 2

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 2: How to Read the Book Part 3
  • 4

    Session 4 (Self-Study): What do we bring to the text? The Historical-Cultural Context; The Literary Context

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Notes for Lecture 3

    • Video Lecture 3 part 1: The Historical-Cultural Context

    • Video Lecture 3 part 2: The Historical-Cultural Context (cont'd)

    • Video Lecture 3 part 3: What do we bring to the text?

    • Video Lecture 3 part 4: The Literary Context

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 3
  • 5

    Session 5 (Live): Word Studies; Bible Translations

    • PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING READINGS AND VIDEO LECTURES BEFORE COMING TO TUTORIAL

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Notes for Lecture 4

    • Video Lecture 4 part 1: Word Studies

    • Video Lecture 4 part 2: Bible Translations

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 5
  • 6

    Session 6 (Self-Study): Who controls the meaning? Levels of meaning

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Notes for Lecture 5

    • Video Lecture 5 part 1: Who Controls the Meaning?

    • Video Lecture 5 part 2: Levels of Meaning

    • Video Lecture 5 part 3: Levels of Meaning (cont'd)

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 5
  • 7

    Session 7 (Live): The role of the Holy Spirit; Application

    • PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING READINGS AND VIDEO LECTURES BEFORE COMING TO TUTORIAL

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Notes for Lecture 06

    • Video Lecture 6 part 1: The Role of the Holy Spirit

    • Video Lecture 6 part 2: Application

    • Lecture 6 part 3: Application (cont'd)

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 6

    • Complete SHORT ESSAY 1 (One 1000-word assignment)
  • 8

    Session 8 (Self Study): New Testament Letters

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Notes for Lecture 07

    • Lecture 7: New Testament Letters part 1

    • Lecture 7: New Testament Letters part 2

    • Lecture 7: New Testament Letters part 3

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 7
  • 9

    Session 9 (Live): Gospels and Acts; Revelation

    • PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING READINGS AND VIDEO LECTURES BEFORE COMING TO TUTORIAL

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Notes for Lecture 08

    • Notes for Lecture 09

    • Video Lecture 8 part 1: Gospels

    • Video Lecture 8 part 2: Gospels (cont'd)

    • Video Lecture 8 part 3: Acts

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 8

    • Video Lecture 9: Revelation part 1

    • Video Lecture 9: Revelation part 2

    • Video Lecture 9: Revelation part 3

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 9 part 1

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 9 part 2
  • 10

    Session 10 (Self-Study): Old Testament Narrative; Old Testament Law

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Notes for Lecture 10

    • Notes for Lecture 11

    • Video Lecture 10: Old Testament Narrative part 1

    • Video Lecture 10: Old Testament Narrative part 2

    • Video Lecture 10: Old Testament Narrative part 3

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 10

    • Video Lecture 11: Old Testament Law Part 1

    • Video Lecture 11: Old Testament Law Part 2

    • Video Lecture 11: Old Testament Law Part 3

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 11

    • Complete SHORT ESSAYS 2 & 3 (Two 1000-word assignments)
  • 11

    Session 11 (Live): Old Testament Poetry

    • Exercise

    • PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING READINGS AND VIDEO LECTURES BEFORE COMING TO TUTORIAL

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Notes for Lecture 12

    • Video Lecture 12: Old Testament Poetry Part 1

    • Video Lecture 12: Old Testament Poetry Part 2

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 12
  • 12

    Session 12 (Self-Study): Old Testament Prophets

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Notes for Lecture 13

    • Video Lecture 13: Old Testament Prophets Part 1

    • Video Lecture 13: Old Testament Prophets Part 2

    • Video Lecture 13: Old Testament Prophets Part 3

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 13
  • 13

    Session 13 (Live): Old Testament Wisdom

    • PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING READINGS AND VIDEO LECTURES BEFORE COMING TO TUTORIAL

    • Please read the following from your textbook before watching the Video Lecture:

    • Notes for Lecture 14

    • Video Lecture 14: Old Testament Wisdom Part 1

    • Video Lecture 14: Old Testament Wisdom Part 3

    • Video Lecture 14: Old Testament Wisdom Part 2

    • Audio MP3 for Lecture 14

    • Complete SHORT ESSAYS 4 & 5 (Two 1000-word assignments)
  • 14

    Course Evaluation

    • Course Evaluation
  • 15

    Final Assignment Submission

    • Submit: Exegesis Paper

    • Book Review