An advanced overview of the historical development of biblical hermeneutics, from early Christian and Jewish interpretation to contemporary critical approaches. This paper incorporates key hermeneutical approaches, concepts, issues, and terms.
This paper addresses the question of how the Bible is to be interpreted today, which is the area covered by hermeneutics.
| Paper title | Special Topic: Approaches to Hermeneutics |
|---|---|
| Paper code | BIBS325 |
| Subject | Biblical Studies |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2023 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $955.05 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- One 200-level BIBS or BIBX paper
- Restriction
- BIBX 325
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Eligibility
- Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an inquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
- Contact
- don.moffat@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
View more information on the Theology Programme’s website
- Teaching staff
- Lecturer: Dr Don Moffat
- Paper Structure
- Topics:
- What do we mean when we talk about "Biblical Hermeneutics"?
- An outline of the historical development of hermeneutics, from early Christian and Jewish interpretation to contemporary global questions
- Key approaches: historical, source/form/redaction, rhetorical, narrative, canonical, feminist, liberation, post-colonial, ecological
- Key concepts and issues, including: genre, translation, canon, reception, sexuality, gender, power
- Key terms and ideas: exegesis, typology, allegory and the four "senses" of Scripture, inspiration, deduction/induction/abduction, semiotic
- Critical examination of a Biblical passage (1,200 words) 20%
- Essay (2,500 words) 40%
- Essay (2,500 words) 40%
- Teaching Arrangements
- Campus: There will be one 2-hour lecture each week.Distance: In addition to the videoconferenced lectures, there will be one teaching day and one 1-hour videoconference specifically for distance students.Distance students are invited to join weekly videoconferences. However, recordings will be available on Blackboard for students who cannot attend live.
- Textbooks
No textbook is required.
- Course outline
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Scholarship, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
On successfully completing this paper students will be able to:
- Discuss the historical development of biblical interpretation
- Analyse, evaluate, compare and contrast views arising from the application of hermeneutical methods to contemporary and historical issues
- Assess the implications of hermeneutical debates for the 21srt century
- Demonstrate interpretive skills by the exegesis of selected texts
- Critique arguments by in-depth research on particular topics
- Critically evaluate on interpretive method or issue in biblical studies.
