Biblical Hermeneutics & Interpretation: HE101-SJ0-24-S2
Christians must engage in wise interpretation, get to know Bible genres and the different interpretative rules, and receive hands-on practice with different biblical texts. #HE101-SJ0-24-S2
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).
[3 Credits, GC Core]
Registration closing date:
8 Feb 2025
Dr Sun Jiani
Course Syllabus
Orientation Course & Library Access
Sample Exegesis Papers
Topic 1: Hermeneutics and Interpretation
Handout HE Session 1: Introduction to Hermeneutics
Recommended Reading: Wimsatt and Beardsley The Intentional Fallacy
Topic 2 The Need for Interpretation (Reading)
Notes for Lecture 1: The Need for Interpretation
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
Topic 3: How to Read the Book (Reading)
Notes 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
Checklist Before Coming to the Tutorial
Michal Beth Dinkler, The Bible and Women
John Collins, Marriage and Family
Handout HE Session 3
Topic 4: Contexts Now and Then (Reading)
Notes for Lecture 3
Video Lecture 3 : The Historical-Cultural Context part 1
Video Lecture 3 : The Historical-Cultural Context part 2
Video Lecture 3 : What do we bring to the text? part 3
Video Lecture 3 : The Literary Context part 4
Audio MP3 for Lecture 3
Topic 5: Bible Translations (Reading)
Notes for Lecture 4
Video Lecture 4 : Word Studies part 1
Video Lecture 4 : Bible Translations part 2
Audio MP3 for Lecture 4
Checklist Before Coming to the Tutorial
Hwang, "Bible Translation as Contextual Theology"
Foley, Bible Translation in Chinese and Greek pp5-33
Topic 6 Meaning and Application (Reading Part 1)
Notes for Lecture 5
Video Lecture 5: Who Controls the Meaning? part 1
Video Lecture 5 : Levels of Meaning part 2
Video Lecture 5 : Levels of Meaning part 3
Audio MP3 for Lecture 5
Topic 6 Meaning and Application (Reading Part 2)
Notes for Lecture 06
Video Lecture 6 : The Role of the Holy Spirit part 1
Video Lecture 6 : Application part 2
Video Lecture 6 : Application part 3
Audio MP3 for Lecture 6
Checklist Before Coming to Tutorial
Class Presentation
Topic 7 The Interpretive Journey NT (Reading Part 1)
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
Topic 7 The Interpretive Journey NT (Reading Part 2)
Notes for Lecture 08
Video Lecture 8 part 1: Gospels
Video Lecture 8 part 2: Gospels (cont'd)
Video Lecture 8 part 3: Acts
Notes for Lecture 09
Video Lecture 9: Revelation part 1
Video Lecture 9: Revelation part 2
Video Lecture 9: Revelation part 3
Audio MP3 for Lecture 8
Audio MP3 for Lecture 9 part 1
Audio MP3 for Lecture 9 part 2
Checklist Before Coming to the Tutorial
Class Presentation
Vanhoozer, The Inerrancy of Scripture
Wright, How can the Bible be Authoritative?
Bird, The Authority of the Bible
Topic 8 The Interpretive Journey OT (Reading Part 1)
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
Topic 8 The Interpretive Journey OT (Reading Part 2)
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
Checklist Before Coming to Tutorial
Class Presentation
Topic 8 The Interpretive Journey OT (Reading Part 3)
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
Topic 8 The Interpretive Journey OT (Reading Part 4)
Notes for Lecture 14
Video Lecture 14: Old Testament Wisdom Part 1
Video Lecture 14: Old Testament Wisdom Part 2
Video Lecture 14: Old Testament Wisdom Part 3
Audio MP3 for Lecture 14
Course Evaluation
Reflection Paper on Biblical Authority
Submit: Exegesis Paper
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