Biblical Interpretation

Bi.171 HEBREW READING This course is designed to increase a student’s ability to read and translate the Hebrew Bible. Prerequisite: Bi.108. Three credits. Profs. Cuéllar or Park

III. BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

Bi.175 THE HEBREW BIBLE AND ITS INTERPRETERS This course looks at how ancient believing communities, notably classical Jewish and Christian readers, interpreted the Old Testament. In this course, we analyze the various approaches to the text employed by these communities as well as the theological belief system and worldview that underlie their interpretations. In so doing, the course examines how and in what ways these ancient ways of reading can speak to and inform current interpretations of the Old Testament in contemporary religious communities. Six credits. Prof. Park

Bi.191 READING THE BIBLE FROM THE MARGINS This course examines readings of the Old Testament produced by individual readers marginalized because of color, class, gender, disability, and sexual orientation. We explore the ways social locations shape and inform readings and interpretations of the biblical texts. How do the social locations of minority community members impact the questions they put to the biblical texts? Also pertinent to this course is the potential value of marginalized modes of reading and interpreting the biblical texts for diverse ministry contexts. Six credits. Prof. Cuéllar

Bi.195 IMMIGRATION AND THE OLD TESTAMENT: PERSPECTIVES FROM LATINO/A EXPERIENCES The primary focus of this course is to engage in a critical reading of immigration in the Hebrew Bible. Privileging the final form of the text, students engage in a critical analysis of biblical texts that center on themes of immigration, deportation, exile, return, and diaspora. Informing our reading is the broader context of the U.S. Latina/o perspective(s) on diaspora and immigration. Six credits. Prof. Cuéllar

Bi.233 TOPICS IN BIBLICAL STUDIES In this course, students consider research about the "Sitz-im-Leben" of the New Testament. The course examines questions of empire, urban life, masculinity, the role of women, slavery, honor and shame, and other topics that further illuminate New Testament writings. Six Credits. Faculty

Bi.234 LOVE IN THE HEBREW BIBLE Language and concepts about love permeate the Old Testament. Indeed, the declaration to love the Lord is daily recited as part of the Shema, one of the central prayers in Judaism. Likewise, Jesus in the Gospel of Mark states that the most important commandment is to love the Lord. In this course, we will examine the various understandings and definitions of love that emerge from the Old Testament. Furthermore, we will explore biblical concepts related to love such as hesed (lovingkindness), covenantal fidelity, divine love, and sexual and romantic love. Six Credits Prof. Park

Bi.235 CONTEXTUAL BIBLE STUDY This class teaches students to develop Bible studies aimed to assist communities to think theologically and ethically and to respond in practical ways. Based on Contextual Bible Study methodologies developed in South Africa, and Popular Bible Reading methodologies developed in Cuba, Contextual Bible Study uses the tools of literary, narrative, and historical exegesis to help communities to think and respond biblically

to concerns that they themselves have identified. As part of this class, students develop and lead a contextual Bible study. No knowledge of ancient languages is presumed. Six credits. Prof. Aymer

Bi.240 ACTIVISM AND OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES (English based) This course focuses on the role of Old Testament Scriptures in activism. Students read and discuss a variety of activist readings of the Old Testament that gave impetus to revolutions, political uprisings, decolonization movements, and other mass social movements. Particular attention is given to Social Movement Studies and the signifying work and framing processes that mobilize or activate adherents so that they move, metaphorically, from the balcony to the barricades. Six credits. Prof. Cuellar

Bi.245 PERSPECTIVES ON PAUL This English-based course surveys various perspectives (Old/New perspectives on Paul, Paul-within-Judaism, the Apocalyptic Paul, and other contextual approaches to Paul such as feminist, postcolonial, African-American, Asian-American, Latinx, etc.) and encourages students to develop their own perspectives when reading Paul’s letters. Six credits. Prof. Jeong

Bi.311 TOPICS IN NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY A seminar which considers selected areas in New Testament theology, such as christology, womanist and feminist readings of the New Testament, Jesus and Judaism, Sermon on the Mount, etc. May be taken more than once for credit. Prerequisite: Bi.120. Six credits. New Testament Faculty

Bi.315 WOMANIST AND FEMINIST READINGS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT This course explores the implications of feminist and womanist perspectives for the reading and interpretation of the writings of the New Testament. Students explore how the truism that women are people has undergirded feminist thought, arguing against the marginalization of women, body, mind, and spirit. We further explore how womanist thought has pushed further, calling for a consideration of the intersectionality of race, class, and gender on women and their communities. How do these interpretations change what and whom we notice? Of what value are these questions for those preparing for ministry in the twenty-first century? Six credits. Prof. Aymer