Course: Introduction to Biblical Interpretation

Weekly outline

General
- Announcements Forum
- IBI Online Page
  Objectives: Understand what the Bible is (and is not), learn the Bible story, learn how genres are utilized by the biblical writers, develop skills for interpreting the Bible
  
  Weekly Assignments:
  Read chapters from The Story and answer questions
  Watch Edpuzzle videos and answer questions throughout
  Watch Lecture videos and respond in the Discussion Forum
  
  Textbook: The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People (NIV)
  Week 1: Chapters 1-5 (pgs. 1-70)
  Week 2: Chapters 6-10 (pgs. 71-144)
  Week 3: Chapters 11-15 (pgs. 145-218)
  Week 4: Chapters 16-21 (pgs. 219-308)
  Week 5: Chapters 22-27 (pgs. 309-388)
  Week 6: Chapters 26-31 (pgs. 389-472?)
  Week 7: Final Exam
- Discussion Forum Rubric File
  This rubric will be used when grading your initial posts and responses to fellow students.
- The Story File
Week 1
- Week #1 Page
  Week 1: Chapters 1-5 (pgs. 1-70) Gen-Exod
  Topics: Intro to class, why study, Bible story
- The Story chs. 1-5 Questions Assignment
- Why Study the Bible Video URL
- Why Study the Bible Discussion Forum
  After listening to the lecture, share your thoughts on the following:
  Of the reasons listed for why you should study the Bible, which is most compelling or challenging to you and why?
  Which reason is the least understood by Christians today?
Week 2
- Week #2 Page
  Week 2: Chapters 6-10 (pgs. 71-144)
  Topics: nature of scripture, language
- The Story chs. 6-10 Questions Assignment
- Nature of the Bible Video URL
- Nature of the Bible Notes File
- Nature of the Bible Discussion Forum
  After listening to the lecture, share your thoughts on the following:
  What aspect of biblical inspiration is most difficult for you to understand or explain?
  Do the number and consistency of the biblical manuscripts give you confidence in the Bible? Why or why not?
  Which translation of the Bible do you prefer and why?
Week 3
- Week #3 Page
  Week 3: Chapters 11-15 (pgs. 145-218)
  Topics: Bible story, now to then and back
- The Story chs. 11-15 Questions Assignment
- From Now to Then and Back Video URL
- From Now to Then and Back Discussion Forum
  After listening to the lecture, share your thoughts on the following:
  Which of the reasons for needing a process of interpretation is the most compelling or helpful for understanding the Bible?
  Have you ever seen anything like the Fourfold Approach to interpreting Scripture? Is anything in that approach new to you?
  Which aspect of context do you see most ignored when it comes to modern interpretation of the Bible?
Week 4
- Week #4 Page
  Week 4: Chapters 16-21 (pgs. 219-308)
  Topics: History, Letters
- The Story chs. 16-21 Questions Assignment
- History and Letters Video URL
- History and Letters Discussion Forum
  After listening to the lecture, share your thoughts on the following:
  What does the phrase "Theologized History" mean? How does viewing the narrative parts of the Bible in this way change how we interpret them?
  Which of the characteristics or principles of biblical letters was new to you? How does that principle inform your understanding of these letters?
Week 5
- Week #5 Page
  Week 5: Chapters 22-27 (pgs. 309-388)
  Topics: Poetry and apocalypse
- The Story chs. 22-27 Questions Assignment
- Poetry and Apocalypse Video URL
- Poetry and Apocalypse Discussion Forum
  After listening to the lecture, share your thoughts on the following:
  Why is biblical poetry more difficult to interpret than other genres?
  In what ways have you seen apocalyptic literature (Daniel and Revelation) interpreted poorly? How do the tips for interpreting Apocalyptic literature avoid abusing or misusing these texts?
Week 6
- Week #6 Page
  Week 6: Chapters 28-31+Epilogue (pgs. 389-471)
  Topics: Reading directionally, scripture and tradition
- The Story chs. 28-Epilogue Questions Assignment
- Reading Directionally Video URL
- Reading Directionally Discussion Forum
  After listening to the lecture, share your thoughts on the following:
  Which of the 4 "Do nots" listed at the beginning do you find most people struggle with?
  How does putting Christ as the center of the 2 Testaments change the way you interpret the Bible?
Week 7
- Week #7 Page
  Week 7:
  Topics: Reading like a Christian
- Reading Like a Christian Video URL
- Final Week Discussion Forum
  After reading the Bible story through in such a short amount of time, what stood out to you or struck you that you had not thought of before?
  Of the 5 directions for practicing humble interpretation of Scripture, which one do you find the most difficult to put into practice?
- Final Exam Questions File
- Final Exam Quiz
- End of Course Evaluation URL
  Please provide feedback on your course experience.