Biblical Literature

This course is designed to explore the beliefs and practices of the Christian faith from the point of view of an observer who may have had only cursory previous contact with the faith. It will also provide insight into the learner who is a Christian believer, but who has never had the opportunity to view the faith as a whole. The meaning of faith, the personal and corporate disciplines that foster spiritual life, the believer's implicit and explicit relationship to other Christians and the Christian church, and the formative place of Scripture in Spiritual life will be addressed.

BIBL 205 — Introduction to the Bible. 3 hours.

This course provides for students unfamiliar with the Bible an introduction to its structure and message. Major themes, including the covenant community, the human dilemma, the activity of God in human society, and the culmination of human history are explored in a consecutive survey of the books of the Bible. Emphasis will be placed on the meaning and historical context of major events and the importance and significance of key persons in the Bible.

BIBL 310 — Biblical Hermeneutics. 3 hours.

This course presents (a) the different types of literature found in the Bible, (b) the major schools of thought about Biblical inspiration and authority, and (c) a set of principles that can be used by students to permit a systematic interpretation of Biblical literature. Learners taking this course learn how to apply basic principles of interpretation to their own study of Biblical literature. In addition, the course presents a condensed chronology of the Bible and the relationship of the Old Testament to the New Testament.

BLIT 601 — The Ancient World. 3 hours.

This course focuses on the historical, philosophical, political, cultural, and social contexts in which and to which the Biblical texts were written. Particular attention is given to the comparative study of selected topics (from either the Ancient Near East or the Greco-Roman world) with reference to either the Old Testament or the New Testament. Included are the critical reading and evaluation of primary sources from the respective era, which are appropriated in the exegetical study of selected Biblical passages. This course may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 605 — Current Methodologies in Biblical Studies. 3 hours.

This course presents an in-depth exploration of critical methodologies that are currently being used in Biblical studies. A given course may give attention to one or more methodological approaches to the interpretation of Scripture. Areas of concern may range from grammatical-historical methodological approaches to the more recent focus on literary criticism. The course examines philosophical and theological understandings that underlie the various methodologies and demonstrate, by the examination of specific Biblical texts, how diverse approaches influence our understanding of and appreciation for Scripture. This course may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 612 — Deuteronomistic History. 3 hours.

Examines 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, are examined. Attention will be given to the critical study of the compositional history of the Deuteronomistic History. Selections of the principal 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. This course requires significant research and writing and may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 615 — Theological Interpretation of Scripture. 3 hours.

This course presents an examination of the issues and methods in the understanding and interpretation of theology within a selected Biblical corpus. Specific attention is given to the critical evaluation of the following: various understandings of theology, the place and role of theology within a Biblical text, different approaches to the interpretation of theology as found in selected books of the Bible, and the scope of theological reflection within Biblical studies. Included in the course is the development of methodology that accounts both for the integrity of the Biblical text and for ongoing theological dialogue. This course may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 621 — New Testament Exegesis. 3 hours.

In this course, principles of sound Biblical interpretation are taught and applied to the exegesis of selected portions of the New Testament as preparation for preaching, teaching, or other avenues of Christian ministry. This course may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 622 — 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, and major theological themes of apocalyptic literature and the book of Revelation will be addressed. This course requires significant research and writing and may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 625 — Old Testament Studies. 3 hours.

This course presents a study of significant areas of contemporary and enduring interest concerning the Old Testament. The course integrates historical understanding, exegetical skills, and theological insight appropriate to the topic studied and may deal with such areas as a specific book, theme, or historic period. This course may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 626 — New Testament Studies. 3 hours.

A study of significant areas of contemporary and enduring interest concerning the New Testament. The course integrates historical understanding, exegetical skills, and theological insight appropriate to the topic studied and may deal with such areas as a specific book, theme, or historic period. May be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 630 — Advanced Topics in Biblical Studies. 3 hours.

This course allows for advanced work either in a selected topic within Biblical studies or in a selected corpus of Biblical literature. This course may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 632 — Cultural/Historical Influences and Biblical Interpretation. 3 hours.

A critical exploration of the ongoing relationship between changing cultural/historical trends, interests, and understandings and the study of the Bible. Specific interpretative methodologies and assumptions involving the world behind, within, and in front of the text will be explored. Special attention will be given to current interpretative interests and methods and their implications for the church and society. Interpretative methods and transitions in interpretation will be demonstrated in relation to the study of specific biblical texts.

BLIT 645 — Old Testament Theology. 3 hours.

An examination of the Old Testament as Scripture of the Christian Church in order to hear and understand the biblical testimony to God and his revelatory and reconciling work in the world. The history of the discipline is discussed, including 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. The course also contains an in-depth study of the major theological themes of the Old Testament, including 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. This course requires significant research and writing and may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 646 — 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. This course requires significant research and writing and may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 667 — 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. This course requires significant research and writing and may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 668 — Pauline Epistles II. 3 hours.

An exegetical study of Galatians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians and Philippians. The course will consider the background provided in Acts. This course requires significant research and writing and may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 671 — Pentateuch. 3 hours.

A study of the historical background and the development of the Hebrew people as found in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This course requires significant research and writing and may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 674 — Johannine Literature. 3 hours.

An exegetical study of the gospel and epistles of John and the Book of Revelation. The study is based on the English translation. This course requires significant research and writing and may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 675 — Luke and 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. This course requires significant research and writing and may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 684 — Readings in Biblical Studies. 1 hour.

This course allows for independent reading and study in a topic within Biblical studies. It must be taken concurrently with and supplementary to a graduate course in Biblical studies. Permission for enrollment must be granted by the course professor and the program coordinator. This course may be repeated with a different subtitle.

BLIT 699 — Thesis. 3 hours.

Requires the completion of a 50–75-page thesis, the subject of which must be approved by the student's adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies for the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. This option demonstrates (1) the learner's ability to design, execute, and report on independent research, and (2) the learner's creative thinking, critical reflection, and writing ability. It culminates with the learner's defense of the thesis. The School of Theology provides a detailed guide to the rules and regulations for the thesis, which is available from the Program Specialist.