For session 10 (3 December)...

In our final session we'll be looking at some of the interpretive principles related to the study of the NT epistles. For this session you will need to have read:

• KBH, ch. 10, pg. 426-439

Some questions to think about as you read:

• What is meant by the statement that the epistles are 'occasional documents' (427)?
• What do the authors mean by separating universal principles from context-bound or culturally limited applications (427)?
• What are some of the different kinds of letters, outlined on pg. 430-433?
• How does Hebrews relate to the rest of the epistles (433-434)?

For the last hour of our session we'll be having an exam tutorial for the module. Remember to bring any questions you might have so we can try and answer them together.

For session 9 (26 November)...

In this session we'll be looking at how we can interpret the parables as well as figures of speech in biblical literature. Mat Farland will be the guest lecturer for this session. You will need to have read:

• KBH, ch. 10, pg. 411-418

Here are some questions you might want to think about while doing your reading:

• How have parables been interpreted for much of church history (411-412)?
• What do the authors mean when they call the parables 'narrative fiction' (413)?
• What does it mean to 'translate' a parable into contemporary language?
  

For session 8 (19 November)...

In our next session we'll be looking at the genre of poetry in the Bible.

For this session you will need to have read:

• KBH, ch. 9, pg. 351-359, and 387-397.

Here are some questions to think about while doing your reading:

• What are some of the types of OT poetry (352-357)?
• What do the authors say are some of the principles for interpreting poetry (357-359)?
• What are some of the different types of wisdom literature (387-397)?
• What things do we need to keep in mind when interpreting proverbs (389-390)?
• What about the book of Job? What are some of the principles for understanding the speeches found there (395-396)?
  

For session 7 (12 November)...

In our next session we'll begin looking at how we can best interpret various genres in the Bible. We'll start by examining OT narratives and the NT gospels. For this session you will need to have read:

• KBH, ch. 9, pg. 323-336
• KBH, ch. 10 pg. 399-410
  

Here are some questions to consider while doing your reading:

• What percentage of the OT is in narrative form (325)?
• What are some of the different types of narratives we find in the OT (326-336)?
• What are some of the principles of interpreting heroic narratives or prophet stories (333)?

• What are some of the different ways of understanding the genre of 'gospel' (399-401)?
• What do the authors mean by saying that the gospels should be read both 'horizontally and vertically' (403-405)?
• What are some of the key theological issues in the gospels that we need to be aware of (407-410)?
  

For session 6 (5 November)...

Just a reminder: next Wednesday, 29 October, falls within our mid-term break, and so there will be no class. Our next session will be on 5 November.

Our next session will be looking at the theological context of interpretation, and how we approach this aspect of our exegesis. For this next session you will need to have read chapters 11 and 12 in KBH.

Here are some things to think about while doing your reading:

• What do the authors mean by saying that the Bible is useful for worship and creating liturgy (p. 452-456)?
• How does hermeneutics and good interpretation help in the formulation of our theology (462-465)?
• What role do the authors say that the Bible should play in preaching (465-467)?
• What role can Scripture play in spiritual formation (471-474)?

• What are some of the major misapplications of Scripture the authors point out (480-482)?
• What is the four-step method the authors give for application (482-483)? What should happen at each of these steps (484-502?
• How do the authors describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of determining the application of a text of scripture (503-504)?
  

For session 5 (22 October)...

In our next session we'll be looking at how we go about examining the literary context of a biblical passage, as well as identifying the genre, or type of literature that it is we're dealing with.

For this session you will need to have read:

• KBH, ch. 4
• KBH, ch. 7, 214-229

Here are some questions to think about while you are doing your reading:

• What does the word 'canon' mean, and why do we use it in relation to the Bible (p. 103)?
• What were considered some of the criteria for canonicity as these books were being brought together into one Bible (115-116)?
• What do we mean when we talk about 'textual criticism' (120-125)?
• In relation to different types of translations, what is meant by: 'formal equivalence', 'dynamic equivalence', and 'paraphrase' (125-126)?
  
• What are some of the factors to keep in mind when choosing a translation (130-131)?

• What do the authors mean when they say that literary context provides 'flow of thought' and 'delineates correct relationships between units' (215-216)?
• What three principles regarding literary context do the authors give on p. 217-218?
• What are the various 'circles of context' that need to be looked at when doing interpretation (219-229)?

For session 4 (15 October)...

In our next session we're going to start looking at the various 'contexts' which need to be explored when doing biblical interpretation. We'll be starting with the historical and cultural context. For this session you will need to have read:

• KBH, ch. 7, pg. 229-240, and ch. 9, pg. 359-387
• Zechariah 7
  

Here are some questions to think about while doing your reading:

• What do the authors mean when they say that 'the Bible always comes to us secondhand' (p. 229)?
• Explain how the historical and cultural context gives us insight into perspective, mindset, and contextualization (229-232).
• What is meant by the 'original background' and 'original impact' of a biblical text (232-234)?
• What are some of the things which need to be looked for when exploring the general historical background of a biblical book (237-238)?
• What some some of the elements to look for when examining the historical and cultural factors of a specific passage of Scripture (238-240)?

• What does it mean that prophecy is both 'foretelling' and 'forthtelling' (359; 371-378)?
• What are the basic types of prophecy listed on pg. 359-369?
• What do the authors say are the 'many ways of fulfillment' of prophecy' (378-381)?
• What are the specific principles given for interpreting prophecy (381-382)?

Please bring your Bible along to class as we'll be looking at a number of passages and their historical contexts.

for sessions 3 (8 October)...

Please remember that we will not be meeting next Wednesday (1 October) because of the Study Skills intensive modular. Our next session will be on Wednesday 8 October.

Our next session will continue our look at the history of interpretation, as well as some further thoughts on the approach we will be advocating in this module. For the next session you will need to have read:

• Klein, Blomberg and Hubbard, ch. 2, pg. 45-62; and ch. 5 , 135-150.

Here are some questions for you to think about while you're reading. If may be helpful if you write down a few answers as you go along:

Chapter 2:

• What are some of the major shifts in interpretation between the Middle Ages and the era of the Reformation (45-47)?
• What role did Luther and Calvin play in some of these changes (47-49)?
• How did rationalism affect biblical interpretation in the post-Reformation period (51-52)?
• What is the historical-critical method of interpretation, and what impact did it make on biblical studies (52-55)?
• What changes began to happen in the post-World War I era (Karl Barth) and post-World War II era (biblical theology movement) (56-59)?
  

Chapter 5:

• What do the authors claim are the main qualifications needed to be a good interpreter of the biblical text (135-142)?
• What presuppositions about the Bible do they feel are helpful in interpretation (142-150)?
  
• Do you disagree with any of these claims?
  

For our next session you should also have selected the text you would like to focus on for your exegetical assignment from the list of passages from the Minor Prophets. If you have any questions on this, feel free to drop in and have a chat.

for session 2 (24 September)...

Well done surviving the first session! Hopefully it gave you some things to think about.

For our next session, you need to read Klein, Blomberg and Hubbard, chapter 1 and the first half of chapter 2, pg. 23-45.

Some questions for you to think about during your reading:

• How do the author, the text, and the reader all contibute to the meaning of a text (pg. 8-13)?
• What are Hellenistic Judaism and Rabbinic Judaism (25-31)?
• What were some of the main methods of interpretation used in the patristic period (pg. 34-40)?
  
• What were the 'four senses of Scripture' in the middle ages (42-45)?

Let me know if you have any questions or comments. Feel free to leave a note in the comments here, drop me an email, or drop into the office.

welcome!

This site will serve as a hub for the Hermeneutics module offered at CETC in the first semester of the 2008-09 academic year. We'll be posting reading assignments here, as well as reading questions you may want to use to help you follow along. And hopefully this will be a place for you to interact and leave comments as well on the subjects we're discussing.

To the right you'll find some links related to biblical interpretation that might be a good place to start.