In the modern period and in the church today

5 Credits

Module Content:

1. An overview of the change in the understanding and interpretation of the Bible in the late 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.
2. An exploration of the variety of ways in which our reading of the Bible has been affected by the political history of the 20th century – the world wars; Holocaust lens; liberation movements, Israel/Palestine, post-colonialism, developments in Europe etc.
3. Reading the Bible in a world of many faiths – ‘scriptural reasoning’
4. The feminist and other ‘ethical’ challenges to biblical interpretation.
5. The use of the Bible in Church and ministry today.
6. The use of the Bible in preaching, including difficult texts.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module students will be able:

• To understand the influence of the Enlightenment and post-modernism on biblical interpretation.
• To reflect critically on the presuppositions and categories which inform and determine interpretation.
• To appreciate the process of biblical interpretation as a community based activity.
• To begin to make biblical, theological and ministerial connections with the 21st century.
• To demonstrate an informed appreciation of how different methods of interpretation have been used in the past and present.
• To evaluate approaches to dealing with biblical texts which appear problematic for contemporary interpreters. (i.e. it is the ‘texts’ not the ‘approaches’ which are problematic).
• To appreciate the complexities of the relationship between the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and the New Testament.
• To have developed a basis for using the Bible in ministry.

Methodology:

Part-time Mode A:

This module will be taught through a series of lectures and student-led seminars. Students will be required to participate and lead class seminars and also to take part in collaborative small groups and independent study which will focus on close textual readings. There will be a joint seminar with each of the other two strands – Theology and Christian Practice in Church and Society

Part-time Mode B:

This module will be taught through workbook and DVD lectures. Students will also contribute to online seminars and will be required to engage in independent study of set texts. Students will also be required to take part in collaborative small groups and independent study which will focus on close textual readings.

There will be a joint seminar with each of the other two strands – Theology and Christian Practice in Church and Society Assessment: 2,500 words of coursework (e.g. essay, exegesis, sermon or project as agreed by course leader) Contact Hours: 20 Student Work Load: 100 - 120 hrs