Biblical Authority & Interpretation

Instructors: Ted Vial & Pam Eisenbaum

T.A.: Michael Laminack

Course News and Reminders:

Click here to access the most recent "paper" version of the syllabus (v. 4.3). Please note: A few readings on this syllabus were TBA at the time.  Please utilize the reading assignments listed in the discussion forums for each week.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for the summary of weekly reading assignments. For a comprehensive list of ALL requirements for this course, instructions for completing each assignment, and how the assignments are weighted toward you final grade, please click on "Assignments" at your left.

For clarifications about the syllabus, tips, and/or any other additional information we've posted along the way, please see "Announcements."

Course Synopsis:

Debates over biblical authority within Christianity and in the public square are common place in American society.  Such debates have a long history. "Biblical Authority and Interpretation" examines a wide range of perspectives on scriptural authority and interpretation from the history of Christianity and beyond.  Engaging with such a variety of attitudes toward the Bible, its translation, and interpretation will help students think critically about their own use of scripture, and begin to articulate thoughtfully their own positions on the uses of Scripture in our contemporary world.

Overview and Objectives for this Seminar

1) Students will understand that the role of the Bible in Christian tradition, the various ways in which it has been granted authority, and arguments for its proper interpretation have been contested throughout the tradition.

2) Students will become familiar with the views on the Bible and biblical interpretation of some of the key figures in the history.

3) Students will understand the ways in which modernity has challenged biblical authority and understand the stakes over the debate about the Bible’s status for Christians.

4) Students will have the opportunity to engage with experienced preachers about the use of the Bible in their preaching, and what status the Bible holds in their tradition.

5) Students will practice the skills of theological research and theological writing.

6) Students will begin to articulate their own positions on biblical authority and interpretation.

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Purpose of this seminar within the curriculum

This course fulfills the Interdisciplinary Seminar (IS) requirement for MTS, MDiv, MASJE, and MAPSC. The purpose of the course is to expose incoming students to the relevance of the academic, interdisciplinary study of religion and theology.  It is designed to help students recognize from the first year of study that theological/religious studies disciplines work together to generate significant knowledge that matters to the world.  This course also provides a core first year experience and orientation to academic skills necessary for success at the graduate level. 

Course Objectives

Learning goals for the Interdisciplinary Seminar:

1. Students identify and describe characteristic approaches to the academic study of religion related to at least four of the six curricular areas identified in the core curriculum.
2. Students demonstrate critical reading skills, such as the capacity to identify the thesis of a text, its methodology, the contextual situation of the author’s argument in a larger discourse, the contours of its argument, and the implications of its constructive work.
3. Students demonstrate the capacity to write a brief, thesis-driven paper drawing on textual resources with appropriate academic citation and a writing style appropriate to the genre.
4. Students are able to identify appropriate academic resources through library research in order to address a research question of significance to them.
5. Students engage in critical, respectful, and constructive academic dialogue and reflection in a diverse cultural setting (the classroom).
6. Student motivation, curiosity, and commitment to the engaged academic study of religion and theology increases.

Purpose of this seminar within the curriculum

This course fulfills the Interdisciplinary Seminar (IS) requirement for MTS, MDiv, MASJE, and MAPSC. The purpose of the course is to expose incoming students to the relevance of the academic, interdisciplinary study of religion and theology.  It is designed to help students recognize from the first year of study that theological/religious studies disciplines work together to generate significant knowledge that matters to the world.  This course also provides a core first year experience and orientation to academic skills necessary for success at the graduate level. 

Course Objectives

Learning goals for the Interdisciplinary Seminar:

1. Students identify and describe characteristic approaches to the academic study of religion related to at least four of the six curricular areas identified in the core curriculum.
2. Students demonstrate critical reading skills, such as the capacity to identify the thesis of a text, its methodology, the contextual situation of the author’s argument in a larger discourse, the contours of its argument, and the implications of its constructive work.
3. Students demonstrate the capacity to write a brief, thesis-driven paper drawing on textual resources with appropriate academic citation and a writing style appropriate to the genre.
4. Students are able to identify appropriate academic resources through library research in order to address a research question of significance to them.
5. Students engage in critical, respectful, and constructive academic dialogue and reflection in a diverse cultural setting (the classroom).
6. Student motivation, curiosity, and commitment to the engaged academic study of religion and theology increases.

Assignments

For a complete list of assignments and requirements, please click "Assignments" on your left.