Biblical Hermeneutics
- Arts
- 700 level
- 2 credit units
- 119 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces students to the history, principles, and methods of biblical interpretation. It explores the development of biblical hermeneutics from the church fathers through the Reformation to modern and contemporary periods, highlighting the contributions of various biblical scholars. Students will acquire skills in applying hermeneutical principles, interpreting different literary types within the Bible, and enhancing their ability to preach and teach the Word of God effectively within an African context.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 96 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CRS711, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1 FUNDAMENTALS OF BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICSPage 1
- UNIT 2 HISTORY OF BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS I – PATRISTIC/MEDIEVAL PERIODPage 7
- UNIT 3 HISTORY OF BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS II – REFORMATION PERIODPage 14
- UNIT 4 HISTORY OF BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS III – MODERN/CONTEMPORARY PERIODPage 20
- UNIT 5 SOME OTHER HERMENEUTICAL ISSUES AND APPROACHESPage 26
- UNIT 1 PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS I – SCHOOLS OF INTERPRETATIONPage 31
- UNIT 2 PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS II – HISTORICAL/GRAMMATICAL METHODPage 38
- UNIT 3 INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE METHODS OF BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICSPage 45
- UNIT 4 SPECIAL LITERARY METHODS OF BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICSPage 51
- UNIT 5 METHODS OF BIBLICAL CRITICISMPage 58
- UNIT 1 INTERPRETATION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT I – HISTORY AND LAWPage 65
- UNIT 2 INTERPRETATION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT II – POETRY AND WISDOM LITERATUREPage 73
- UNIT 3 INTERPRETATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT I – THE GOSPEL AND ACTS OF THE APOSTLESPage 80
- UNIT 4 INTERPRETATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT II – EPISTLES AND REVELATIONPage 86
- UNIT 5 APPLICATION AND CORRELATIONPage 93
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CRS711 · UNIT 1 FUNDAMENTALS OF BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS
We have explained that the first major preoccupation of Biblical Hermeneutics is to seek to discover the original texts to the ancient readers. Of course, that should be followed by the application of the original meaning to the modern, contemporary readers.
What you should be able to do
- Define and explain the rationale and importance of biblical hermeneutics.
- Discuss the historical development of biblical interpretation from the patristic to contemporary periods.
- List and describe the major schools of Bible interpretation.
- Discuss the principles and methods of biblical hermeneutics.
- Identify and analyze different literary types in the Bible (Old and New Testaments).
- Apply principles of biblical interpretation to selected passages.
What it prepares you for
- Theologian
- Pastor
- Religious Educator
- Missionary
- Chaplain
- Religious Organizations
- Educational Institutions
- Missionary Work
- Chaplaincy Services
- Theological Research
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics I - Schools of Bible Interpretation
Unit 1: Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics I – Schools of Bible Interpretation
Understanding the nuances and historical context of each school requires extensive background knowledge of church history and philosophical thought.
- Module 2: Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics I - Schools of Bible Interpretation
Unit 2: Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics II – Historical/Grammatical Method
Applying the principles of cultural relativity requires careful consideration of historical context and contemporary cultural norms, demanding nuanced judgment.
- Module 3: Interpretation of the Old Testament I – History and Law
Unit 4: Interpretation of the New Testament II – Epistles and Revelation
The symbolic language and complex imagery require a deep understanding of apocalyptic literature and historical context.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Fundamentals of biblical Hermeneutics
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Biblical Hermeneutics · 2 hours
Read the introduction to Hermeneutics.. Understand the etymology of the word Hermeneutics.. Differentiate between Biblical Hermeneutics and exegesis..
- Week 2Module 1: Fundamentals of biblical Hermeneutics
Unit 2: History of Biblical Hermeneutics I – Patristic/Medieval Period · 2 hours
Study the interpretation styles of Greek and Jewish thinkers.. Examine the contributions of Alexandrian scholars like Philo and Origen.. Understand the historical context of the Patristic/Medieval period..
- Week 3Module 1: Fundamentals of biblical Hermeneutics
Unit 3: History of Biblical Hermeneutics II - Reformation · 2 hours
Explore the influence of humanism on Reformation Hermeneutics.. Study the contributions of Luther and Melanchton.. Understand the concept of 'sola fide'..
- Week 4Module 1: Fundamentals of biblical Hermeneutics
Unit 4: History of Biblical Hermeneutics III – Modern/Contemporary Period · 2 hours
Examine the Hermeneutics of Schleiermacher and Dilthey.. Understand existential and phenomenological Hermeneutics.. Study the concept of demythologization..
- Week 5Module 1: Fundamentals of biblical Hermeneutics
Unit 5: Some Other Hermeneutical Issues and Approaches · 2 hours
Explore the concept of Sensus Plenior.. Understand the Hermeneutical circle.. Study socio-cultural Hermeneutics and reader-response Hermeneutics..
- Week 6Module 2: Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics I - Schools of Bible Interpretation
Unit 1: Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics I – Schools of Bible Interpretation · 2 hours
Study the literal, allegorical, analogical, anagogical, and tropological schools.. Understand the historical context of each school.. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each school..
- Week 7Module 2: Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics I - Schools of Bible Interpretation
Unit 2: Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics II – Historical/Grammatical Method · 2 hours
Understand the need for historical and grammatical methods.. Study the life and times of biblical authors.. Explore the role of historical geography..
- Week 8Module 2: Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics I - Schools of Bible Interpretation
Unit 3: Inductive and Deductive Methods of Biblical Hermeneutics · 2 hours
Differentiate between inductive and deductive methods.. Study synthetic and analytical methods.. Understand topical and theological methods..
- Week 9Module 2: Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics I - Schools of Bible Interpretation
Unit 4: Special Literary Methods of Biblical Hermeneutics · 2 hours
Identify similes and metaphors in the Bible.. Learn to interpret parables.. Understand the nature of prophecy and apocalypse..
- Week 10Module 2: Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics I - Schools of Bible Interpretation
Unit 5: Methods of Biblical Criticism · 2 hours
Study textual criticism.. Understand literary and source criticisms.. Explore historical criticism..
- Week 11Module 3: Interpretation of the Old Testament I – History and Law
Unit 1: Interpretation of the Old Testament I – History and Law · 2 hours
Identify Old Testament narratives.. Understand the nature of Old Testament narratives.. Learn to interpret Old Testament narratives..
- Week 12Module 3: Interpretation of the Old Testament I – History and Law
Unit 2: Interpretation of the Old Testament II – Poetry and Wisdom Literature · 2 hours
Study the types of Old Testament poetry.. Learn to interpret Old Testament poetry.. Understand the nature of Old Testament wisdom literature..
- Week 13Module 3: Interpretation of the Old Testament I – History and Law
Unit 3: Interpretation of the New Testament I – The Gospels and Acts of the Apostles · 2 hours
Understand the nature of the Gospels.. Learn to interpret the Gospels.. Study the importance of Acts of the Apostles..
Unit 4: Interpretation of the New Testament II – Epistles and Revelation · 2 hours
Study the form of New Testament Epistles.. Understand the nature of New Testament Epistles.. Learn to interpret the book of Revelation..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key figures and movements in the history of biblical hermeneutics (Units 2-4).
- Develop flashcards for key terms and concepts from Units 1-5, focusing on definitions and applications.
- Practice applying different hermeneutical methods (historical, grammatical, literary) to selected biblical passages.
- Outline the main arguments and counterarguments related to biblical criticism (Module 2, Unit 5).
- Prepare a comparative chart of the four Gospels, noting their unique themes and perspectives (Module 3, Unit 3).
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and focus on areas where you received lower scores.
- Allocate specific study time for each module, prioritizing areas where you feel less confident.
- Form a study group to discuss challenging concepts and practice interpreting biblical passages together.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CRS711 about?
This course introduces students to the history, principles, and methods of biblical interpretation. It explores the development of biblical hermeneutics from the church fathers through the Reformation to modern and contemporary periods, highlighting the contributions of various biblical scholars. Students will acquire skills in applying hermeneutical principles, interpreting different literary types within the Bible, and enhancing their ability to preach and teach the Word of God effectively within an African context.
How many units does CRS711 have?
CRS711, Biblical Hermeneutics, has 15 units across 3 modules, over 119 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CRS711?
CRS711 carries 2 credit units, at 700 level in Arts.
Is CRS711 hard?
CRS711 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does CRS711 take to study?
About 96 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is CRS711 assessed?
CRS711 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with CRS711?
Theologian, Pastor, Religious Educator, Missionary and Chaplain.