Biblical Literature

An introduction to the serious study of the Old Testament as Scripture, its original historical and literary contexts, and its contemporary relevance within the Christian church. Attention is given to the history of the people of Israel, the geography, customs, thought, and languages of the Biblical world. The course is intended to cultivate an appreciation for the Old Testament, and to provide the necessary background for understanding the New Testament. Prerequisite: THEO 101.

BLIT 233 — Elementary Greek I. 4 hours.

A comprehensive elementary course that includes grammar, pronunciation, reading, and translation of Koine Greek.

BLIT 234 — Elementary Greek II. 4 hours.

A continuation of BLIT 233.

BLIT 243 — Elementary Hebrew I. 4 hours.

A comprehensive elementary course that includes grammar, pronunciation, reading and translation of Biblical Hebrew.

BLIT 244 — Elementary Hebrew II. 4 hours.

A continuation of BLIT 243 with an emphasis on reading and exegeting the Biblical text.

BLIT 250 — Biblical Hermeneutics. 3 hours.

A study of the science and art of Biblical interpretation, including a survey of the history of interpretation and an introduction to the theory, methods, and practice of Biblical exegesis. The course will include a discussion of Biblical translations. Required for all majors within the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. Along with BLIT 310, this course will be taken in place of BLIT 303 as a general education requirement.

BLIT 303 — Christian Scriptures II. 3 hours.

This course is a continuation of Christian Scriptures I, with the focus on the New Testament. Attention will be given to an overview of the New Testament, to serious engagement with selected passages of Scripture, and to the contemporary interpretation (including theological and moral reflection) of these texts as part of the canon of the Christian church. Prerequisite: BLIT 202.

BLIT 305 — Old Testament Introduction. 3 hours.

An introductory course designed to examine the content of and methods for studying the Old Testament. This course introduces the student to critical issues in and resources for Old Testament studies and exposes the student to the various contexts (critical, religious, historical, social, etc.) in which the Old Testament texts were written. Attention is given to the history of the development of the discipline and to the issues and approaches which are currently being discussed. An overview of the content of the books of the Old Testament as well as some examination of the major theological themes of the Old Testament are included. Prerequisite: BLIT 250.

BLIT 310 — New Testament Introduction. 3 hours.

An introductory study of the New Testament. This course introduces the student to critical issues in and resources for New Testament studies, exposes the student to the various contexts (cultural, philosophical, religious, social, etc.) in which the New Testament texts were written, and gives attention to the historical backgrounds, genre, message, and significant persons of the New Testament texts. Some attention will be given to comparing major theological themes and passages of the New Testament. Includes an overview of the process of formation for the canon of the New Testament. Prerequisite: BLIT 250.

BLIT 330 — New Testament Greek Exegesis. 3 hours.

A continuation of grammar study and translation with attention to developing exegetical skills in the study of the Greek New Testament. This course will focus either on a selection of New Testament passages or on a selected New Testament corpus. Prerequisite: BLIT 233, 234. May be repeated for credit as topic varies.

BLIT 339 — Readings in Greek. 1-3 hours.

A course that continues to develop and refine skills in the reading and study of selected Greek texts. Selections may include texts from the New Testament, the early Church, and/or ancient philosophers. Prerequisite: BLIT 233, 234, and 330. May be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 341 — Biblical Hebrew Exegesis. 3 hours.

This course will be a continuation of grammar study and translation with attention given to developing exegetical skills in the study of Biblical Hebrew. Translation and exegetical exercises will be based on selections of individual texts or a particular book within the Hebrew Bible. At the instructor's discretion, attention may be given to the study of Biblical Aramaic during the semester. Course may be repeated under a different subtitle. Prerequisite: BLIT 243, BLIT 244.

BLIT 349 — Readings in Hebrew. 1-3 hours.

This is a course that continues to develop and refine skills in the reading and study of selected Hebrew texts. Selections will include texts from the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, the Prophetic corpus, and Wisdom and Psalm Literature. At the instructor's discretion, students may be allowed to translate selected Aramaic texts from the books of Ezra and Daniel. Prerequisite: BLIT 243, BLIT 244, BLIT 341.

BLIT 356 — Psalms and Wisdom Literature. 3 hours.

A survey of Hebrew poetry and wisdom literature in English translation. A study of selected Psalms and portions of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Prerequisite: BLIT 250, BLIT 305. Offered alternate years.

BLIT 371 — Pentateuch. 3 hours.

A study of ancient and modern methods of reading the Pentateuch and the historical context in which it was written. Special attention will be devoted to examining the major literary and theological issues related to Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Prerequisite: BLIT 250, BLIT 305.

BLIT 379 — Old Testament Prophets I. 3 hours.

A study of the background, contents, and teachings of Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Jonah, and Obadiah. Prerequisite: BLIT 250, BLIT 305. Offered alternate years.

BLIT 380 — Old Testament Prophets II. 3 hours.

A study of the background, contents, and teachings of Jeremiah, Lamentations, Joel, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. Prerequisite: BLIT 250, BLIT 305. Offered alternate years.

BLIT 381 — Exilic and Post-Exilic Prophecy and Community. 3 hours.

This course will study the structure, content and theological ideas of the prophetic writings from the exilic/post-exilic period: Isaiah 40-66, Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Attention will also be devoted to the study of the historical, political and religious context of the second-temple community, the biblical and aprocryphal literature of this period, and the religious and intellectual trends which contributed to the development of the Hebrew text and the Jewish faith. Prerequisite: BLIT 250, BLIT 305.

BLIT 400 — Gospels: Mark and Matthew. 3 hours.

This course is a study of the Gospels of Mark and Matthew. Utilizing a variety of critical methods, students will study each of these gospels in its literary and historical context and compare the two gospels. The goal will be to gain a better understanding of what each of these gospels says about the man named Jesus and the beginning of the Christian faith and community. Prerequisites BLIT 250, BLIT 310.

BLIT 410 — The Deuteronomistic History. 3 hours.

This course will examine the basic structure, content, themes, and theology of the historical books of the Old Testament, including the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. Attention will also be given to the critical study of the compositional history of the Deuteronomistic History (DtrH). Selections of the principle scholarly works in the discussion on the development and purpose of the Deuteronomistic History, beginning with Martin Noth and continuing up to the recent period, will be examined. Prerequisite: BLIT 250, BLIT 305.

BLIT 420 — Apocalyptic Literature and the Book of Revelation. 3 hours.

An exegetical study of the Book of Revelation. Special attention will be given to Revelation as seen within the literary and historical context of Jewish apocalyptic. Apocalyptic literature in both non-canonical and canonical Jewish writings will be surveyed. Major theological themes of apocalyptic literature and the Book of Revelation will be addressed. Prerequisites: BLIT 250, BLIT 310.

BLIT 445 — Old Testament Theology. 3 hours.

This course will examine the Old Testament as Scripture of the Christian Church in order to hear and understand the biblical testimony of God and his revelatory and reconciling work in the world. It will examine the history of the discipline, which will include noting various methods of doing biblical theology such as: themes and ideas, history of salvation, literary approaches, cultural and sociological methods, and the Bible as canon. It will also concentrate on an in-depth study of major theological themes of the Old Testament such as: covenant, grace, faithful response to God , sin and accountability, holiness, and hope for the future; as well as a reflective analysis of the theological role of the scripture for today amid various and shifting cultural concerns. Prerequisite: BLIT 250, BLIT 305.

BLIT 450 — New Testament Theology. 3 hours.

An investigation of major themes of New Testament theology, the distinctive contributions of the biblical authors, and the issue of unity and diversity within the canon of the New Testament. Prerequisites: BLIT 250, BLIT 310.

BLIT 467 — Pauline Epistles I. 3 hours.

An Exegetical study of Romans, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Philemon, and the Pastoral Epistles with the background provided in Acts. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: BLIT 250, BLIT 310.

BLIT 468 — Pauline Epistles II. 3 hours.

An exegetical study of Galatians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, and Philippians with the background provided in Acts. Prerequisite: BLIT 250, BLIT 310. Offered alternate years.

BLIT 474 — Johannine Literature. 3 hours.

An exegetical study of the gospel and epistles of John and the Revelation in English translation. Prerequisite: BLIT 250, BLIT 310. Offered alternate years.

BLIT 475 — Luke-Acts. 3 hours.

An exegetical study of the gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Special attention will be given to the history and current state of Lukan studies, critical issues surrounding both Luke and Acts, and major theological themes. Issues relating to the continuity of Luke and Acts will be explored. Prerequisites: BLIT 250, BLIT 310.

BLIT 476 — Topics in Biblical Studies. 3 hours.

A study of significant areas of contemporary and enduring interest in the field of Biblical studies, such as hermeneutics, the parables of Jesus, miracles, the Greco-Roman world, and theology. Courses related to specific Biblical writings may also be offered. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: BLIT 250, BLIT 310.

BLIT 600-699 — Graduate Level Courses.

Open to some seniors. See the coordinator of Graduate Studies in Religion.