Introduction to Biblical Studies

Introduction to Biblical Studies

REL 110 / 4 Credits / Northwestern College / Fall 2008

Instructor: Dr. Michael Andres, andres@nwciowa.edu

Office/Hours: VPH115; Mon, Tue, Fri 3:30-5:00pm; Wed 9:00-11:30; ext. 7079

Class Time: MWF 1:00-2:00 pm Class Location: VPH313

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the historical, literary, and theological aspects of the Bible. We will survey the central characters and events of biblical history, examine the variety of genres found in the Bible, and discuss key theological themes emphasized within the Bible. Students will be introduced to methods of biblical criticism and interpretation that integrate skills developed in other disciplines. The entire Bible – both Old and New Testaments – will be covered.

Course Objectives:

To gain an understanding of the overall biblical “storyline.”
To learn the theological, historical, and literary context of the various books of the Bible, and how such context guides interpretation.
To grasp how the biblical story of redemption unfolds and points to Jesus Christ.
To think through how the biblical revelation ought to affect one's life and draw one closer to the living God.
To read the entire Bible for yourself.

Primary Texts:

Bible (modern translation, e.g. NASB, NIV, NRSV, etc. [not paraphrase, e.g. New Living]; bring to every class period). [B]
Goldsworthy, Graeme, According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible (Intervarsity Press, 2002). [G]
Hauer, Christian and Young, William, An Introduction to the Bible: A Journey Into Three Worlds, Seventh Edition (Prentice Hall, 2008). [HY]

Course Requirements:

Class attendance/participation: Participation highly encouraged. Attendance is mandatory; material covered in class often is not found in readings. After three unexcused absences, students will be graded down one-half letter grade for every subsequent unexcused absence.
Readings: Reading should be completed before class time listed. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of forthcoming reading assignments given in syllabus.
Quizzes: Nine quizzes cover material from Goldsworthy and Hauer/Young. Top eight quizzes count towards final grade. Quizzes can only be rescheduled with advance permission of instructor.
Written Project: One exegesis paper is required.
Exams: There will be two sectional exams, with essay questions, and one objective final exam covering only the New Testament.

Course Assessment:

Quizzes (29%) = 80 points / 10 points each
Exegesis Paper (18%) = 50 points
Exams (54%) = 150 points / 50 points each

Grading Guidelines

Guidelines for Course Written Project (Rough Draft Due November 19; Final Paper Due December 8):

Exegesis Paper: Students will choose an Old Testament passage, with instructor's approval, and engage in a process of analysis, interpretation, and application of it. Relevant details of authorship, historical-cultural context, literary genre and structure, and theology should be considered. Relation to specific New Testament passages should be developed. Alternative views should be considered, and a final position of your own should be stated and argued. Finally, thoughtful contemporary application ought to be made. Commentaries should be consulted but not depended upon. See handout. Further formatting guidelines can be found at Writing and Submission Guidelines. Please note that a hard copy of written assignment should be submitted to instructor and also submitted electronically to synapse page drop box.

Students will be evaluated according to the interpretation, analysis, and quality demonstrated in their paper. Clearly elucidated reasons for the given interpretation should be evident. Do not simply regurgitate information. For further elaboration of grading criteria, see Grading Guidelines.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

Northwestern College is a Christian academic community committed to integrity and honesty in all intellectual and academic matters. All students, faculty, and staff are expected to follow the highest standards of honesty and ethical behavior. In addition, as members of the campus community all students, faculty, and staff have a responsibility to help other members of the community to demonstrate integrity in their actions. Behavior that violates academic integrity can take a variety of forms including, but not limited to, cheating on tests, quizzes, papers, and projects; plagiarism using unauthorized material; willful misrepresentation of evidence and arguments.

Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of someone else's words or ideas, with the intent of deceiving the reader concerning the origin of the words, ideas, or images. Plagiarism can also occur in the fine arts. It is the responsibility of the artist to acknowledge the work of others; the means of acknowledgment could be in the title or in some artistic reference within the work itself. (Excerpts from NWC Student Handbook, 11)

Final Exam Schedule:

Wednesday, December 17, 10:30-12:30, VPH313

Make any travel or plane reservations early; professor does not have the authority to reschedule final exam for any student.

Course Assistance:

I have an open door policy. Please come by my office, preferably at office hours, if you have any questions or are having any problems with the reading, lectures, note taking, written project, etc. Or come by for a cup of tea and chat about life. For further assistance in academic matters help is available through Patti Thayer at Academic Support (VPH 125B). Academic Support is there to help you so if you are having difficulties do not hesitate to ask for assistance.

Course Schedule:

DATE

SUBJECT

READING

Introduction to Biblical Studies

Aug 27

Introduction

Aug 29

Scripture as the Word of God

B:2Pet 1:12-21; G:47-78; Quiz #1

Sept 1

Scripture as the Word of God Written by Human Beings

HY:1-59; Quiz #2

Sept 3

What is a Covenant?

B:Gen 15, 17; G:7-25; Read: The Meaning of 'Covenant'

THE OLD TESTAMENT / TANAK

The Pentateuch / Torah

Sept 5

The Story of Creation

B:Gen 1:1-2:3; HY:61-65; G:81-101

Sept 8

The Covenant of Creation

B:Gen 2:4-25

Sept 10

The Fall and the Story of Sin:
A Broken Covenant

B:Gen 3-5; HY:65-70; G:102-108

Sept 12

God Judges Covenant Unfaithfulness:  The Flood and the Covenant with Noah

B:Gen 6-11; G:108-119; Quiz #3

Sept 15

God Chooses a New People:
The Abrahamic Covenant

B:Gen 12-23; HY:70-81; G:120-123

Sept 17

The Story of Election: Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph

B:Gen 24-50; G:123-129

Sept 19

God Redeems His People:
The Exodus

B:Exo 1-18; HY:82-88; G:130-139

Sept 22

God Covenants with a Nation: The Mosaic Covenant & the Law

B:Exo 19-24; HY:89-92; G:140-143

Sept 24
God Dwells With His People:
The Tabernacle & Temptation

B:Exo 25-40; G:144-148

Sept 26

Living with a Holy God: The Sacrificial System

B:Lev 16; 19; 23; 26; Deut 1-6; 12-18; 26-28; HY:93-98; G:149-155

Sept 29

Exam #1

Study Guide Exam 1

The Writings and Prophets

Oct 1

The Story of Conquest & Failure:
The Periods of Joshua & Judges

B:Josh 1-11; 21-24; Jdg 1-8; 19-21; HY:99-109; G:156-163

Oct 3

Stories of Royalty: The People Want a Human King

B:1Sam 1-3; 8-10; 15; G:164-166

Oct 6

Stories of Royalty: A King After God's Heart & The Davidic Covenant

B:1Sam 16-18; 2Sam 5-12; 1Ki 1-2; Psa 2; 89; HY:109-116; G:166-171

Oct 8
A People of Prayer, Praise, & Lament:
The Psalms

B:Psa 1-3; 19-24; 51; 87-91; 136-137; 150; HY:151-166; Quiz #4

Oct 10,

11:25-12:10 pm

Living With Wisdom I:
Proverbs and the Wisdom Literature

B:Prov 1-2; 8-9; 29-31; HY:167-183

Oct 13
Living With Wisdom II:
Proverbs and the Wisdom Literature

B:Job 1-4;15-21; 38-42; Eccl 1-5; G:172-179

Oct 15

A Crumbling Covenant:
Division and Conflict

B:1Ki 4; 8-14; HY:117-125;

Oct 17

A Land of Injustice

B:1Ki 15-22; 2 Ki 1-2; 9-10; Amos 1-9; HY:126-136

Fall Break – October 18-21

Oct 22

God Divorces Israel: Judah Alone   CCDA

B:2Ki 15-23; Hosea 1-4; Isa 36-39; G:180-186

Oct 24

The Story of the Exile    CCDA

B:2Ki 23-25; Jer 32-40; Lam 1-5; Quiz #5

Oct 27

Voices of Judgment and Hope I:
The Major Prophets

B:Isa 1-12; 34-35; 40-66; HY:137-140; Voluntary Library Tour After Class (3:30-4:00)

Oct 29
Voices of Judgment and Hope II:
The Major Prophets

B:Ezek 33-39; Jer 25-31; Dan 1-7; HY:140-150; G:187-194

The Post-Exilic Prophets

Oct 31
A Shaky Return

B:Ezra 1-7; Neh 1-7:3; 13; HY:184-198; G:195-200

Nov 3

Silence and Transition:
The Inter-Testamental Period

RR:1Maccabees;Sirach 1; Susanna; Bel and the Dragon; HY:199-222; Quiz #6

Nov 5
Exam #2

Study Guide Exam 2

THE NEW TESTAMENT

The Gospels

Nov 7
The Gospels and the Gospel

HY:223-271

Nov 10
The Story of God-With-Us:
Jesus Christ and the New Covenant

B:Jer 30-32; Mat 1-7; Luke 1-2; 22; Heb 8-12; G:201-209; Quiz #7

Nov 12
The Earthly Life of Jesus Christ

B:Mark 1-10

Nov 14
The Teaching of Jesus Christ

B:Luke 9-19

Nov 17

The Death of Jesus Christ

B:Mark 11-16

Nov 19

Why did Jesus die?

B:John 19; HY:272-286; Exegesis Paper Research Due

Nov 21

Was Jesus really raised from the dead?

B:Luke 24

The Book of Acts

Nov 24
The Indwelling God for All Peoples

B: Acts 1-7; 8-18; G:210-217; Quiz #8

Thanksgiving Holiday – November 26-30

The Pauline Epistles

Dec 1
The Indwelling God for All Peoples B: Acts 21-28;

Dec 3

Salvation in Christ: Galatians, Romans

Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians

B: Rom 1-11; Gal 1-5; Eph 1-6; Phil 1-3; Col 1-3; G:218-225; HY:287-309; Quiz #9

Dec 5

A Struggling Church of Christ: 1 & 2 Corinthians and the Pastoral Epistles

B:1Cor 1-16; 2Cor 1-6; 10-11; 1Tim; 2Tim; Titus; HY:310-317

The General Epistles

Dec 8

The Superior Christ: Hebrews

B:Heb 1-5; 8-9; 11; HY:318-319; Exegesis Paper Due

Dec 10

Last Words from James, Peter and John

B:Jam 1-5; 1Pet 1-5; 1John 1-5; HY:320-324

The Apocalypse

Dec 12

The New Heavens & New Earth

B:John 1:1-3; Rom 8:18-25; 2Cor 5:16-21; Rev Rev 1-6; 19-22; G:226-234

Dec 17

Final Exam – Wednesday, 10:30-12:30, VPH313

Study Guide Final Exam

DATE	SUBJECT	READING
	*Introduction to Biblical Studies*
Aug 27	Introduction
Aug 29	Scripture as the Word of God	B:2Pet 1:12-21; G:47-78; Quiz #1
Sept 1	Scripture as the Word of God Written by Human Beings	HY:1-59; Quiz #2
Sept 3	What is a Covenant?	B:Gen 15, 17; G:7-25; Read: The Meaning of 'Covenant'
	THE OLD TESTAMENT / TANAK
	*The Pentateuch / Torah*
Sept 5	The Story of Creation	B:Gen 1:1-2:3; HY:61-65; G:81-101
Sept 8	The Covenant of Creation	B:Gen 2:4-25
Sept 10	The Fall and the Story of Sin: A Broken Covenant	B:Gen 3-5; HY:65-70; G:102-108
Sept 12	God Judges Covenant Unfaithfulness: The Flood and the Covenant with Noah	B:Gen 6-11; G:108-119; Quiz #3
Sept 15	God Chooses a New People: The Abrahamic Covenant	B:Gen 12-23; HY:70-81; G:120-123
Sept 17	The Story of Election: Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph	B:Gen 24-50; G:123-129
Sept 19	God Redeems His People: The Exodus	B:Exo 1-18; HY:82-88; G:130-139
Sept 22	God Covenants with a Nation: The Mosaic Covenant & the Law	B:Exo 19-24; HY:89-92; G:140-143
Sept 24	God Dwells With His People: The Tabernacle & Temptation	B:Exo 25-40; G:144-148
Sept 26	Living with a Holy God: The Sacrificial System	B:Lev 16; 19; 23; 26; Deut 1-6; 12-18; 26-28; HY:93-98; G:149-155
Sept 29	Exam #1	Study Guide Exam 1
	*The Writings and Prophets*
Oct 1	The Story of Conquest & Failure: The Periods of Joshua & Judges	B:Josh 1-11; 21-24; Jdg 1-8; 19-21; HY:99-109; G:156-163
Oct 3	Stories of Royalty: The People Want a Human King	B:1Sam 1-3; 8-10; 15; G:164-166
Oct 6	Stories of Royalty: A King After God's Heart & The Davidic Covenant	B:1Sam 16-18; 2Sam 5-12; 1Ki 1-2; Psa 2; 89; HY:109-116; G:166-171
Oct 8	A People of Prayer, Praise, & Lament: The Psalms	B:Psa 1-3; 19-24; 51; 87-91; 136-137; 150; HY:151-166; Quiz #4
Oct 10, 11:25-12:10 pm	Living With Wisdom I: Proverbs and the Wisdom Literature	B:Prov 1-2; 8-9; 29-31; HY:167-183
Oct 13	Living With Wisdom II: Proverbs and the Wisdom Literature	B:Job 1-4;15-21; 38-42; Eccl 1-5; G:172-179
Oct 15	A Crumbling Covenant: Division and Conflict	B:1Ki 4; 8-14; HY:117-125;
Oct 17	A Land of Injustice	B:1Ki 15-22; 2 Ki 1-2; 9-10; Amos 1-9; HY:126-136
	Fall Break – October 18-21
Oct 22	God Divorces Israel: Judah Alone CCDA	B:2Ki 15-23; Hosea 1-4; Isa 36-39; G:180-186
Oct 24	The Story of the Exile CCDA	B:2Ki 23-25; Jer 32-40; Lam 1-5; Quiz #5
Oct 27	Voices of Judgment and Hope I: The Major Prophets	B:Isa 1-12; 34-35; 40-66; HY:137-140; Voluntary Library Tour After Class (3:30-4:00)
Oct 29	Voices of Judgment and Hope II: The Major Prophets	B:Ezek 33-39; Jer 25-31; Dan 1-7; HY:140-150; G:187-194
	*The Post-Exilic Prophets*
Oct 31	A Shaky Return	B:Ezra 1-7; Neh 1-7:3; 13; HY:184-198; G:195-200
Nov 3	Silence and Transition: The Inter-Testamental Period	RR:1Maccabees;Sirach 1; Susanna; Bel and the Dragon; HY:199-222; Quiz #6
Nov 5	Exam #2	Study Guide Exam 2
	THE NEW TESTAMENT
	*The Gospels*
Nov 7	The Gospels and the Gospel	HY:223-271
Nov 10	The Story of God-With-Us: Jesus Christ and the New Covenant	B:Jer 30-32; Mat 1-7; Luke 1-2; 22; Heb 8-12; G:201-209; Quiz #7
Nov 12	The Earthly Life of Jesus Christ	B:Mark 1-10
Nov 14	The Teaching of Jesus Christ	B:Luke 9-19
Nov 17	The Death of Jesus Christ	B:Mark 11-16
Nov 19	Why did Jesus die?	B:John 19; HY:272-286; Exegesis Paper Research Due
Nov 21	Was Jesus really raised from the dead?	B:Luke 24
	*The Book of Acts*
Nov 24	The Indwelling God for All Peoples	B: Acts 1-7; 8-18; G:210-217; Quiz #8
	Thanksgiving Holiday – November 26-30
	*The Pauline Epistles*
Dec 1	The Indwelling God for All Peoples	B: Acts 21-28;
Dec 3	Salvation in Christ: Galatians, Romans Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians	B: Rom 1-11; Gal 1-5; Eph 1-6; Phil 1-3; Col 1-3; G:218-225; HY:287-309; Quiz #9
Dec 5	A Struggling Church of Christ: 1 & 2 Corinthians and the Pastoral Epistles	B:1Cor 1-16; 2Cor 1-6; 10-11; 1Tim; 2Tim; Titus; HY:310-317
	*The General Epistles*
Dec 8	The Superior Christ: Hebrews	B:Heb 1-5; 8-9; 11; HY:318-319; Exegesis Paper Due
Dec 10	Last Words from James, Peter and John	B:Jam 1-5; 1Pet 1-5; 1John 1-5; HY:320-324
	*The Apocalypse*
Dec 12	The New Heavens & New Earth	B:John 1:1-3; Rom 8:18-25; 2Cor 5:16-21; Rev Rev 1-6; 19-22; G:226-234
Dec 17	Final Exam – Wednesday, 10:30-12:30, VPH313	Study Guide Final Exam