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CRS814Arts3 Unitsintermediate

Biblical Criticisms

This course introduces students to the study of Biblical Criticism. It explores different approaches to biblical interpretation, including Author-Centred, Text-Centred, and Reader-Centred approaches. The course examines various types of biblical criticisms such as Historical, Source, Form, Rhetorical, New, and Structuralism. It also discusses the relevance of biblical criticism in the African context, equipping students with the tools for better interpretation and application of the Bible.

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273h
Study Time
13
Weeks
21h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Biblical CriticismInterpretationHermeneuticsExegesisTheology

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Historical Criticism

2

Source Criticism

3

Form Criticism

4

Redaction Criticism

5

Textual Criticism

6

Rhetorical Criticism

7

New Criticism

8

Structuralism

9

Reader-Response Criticism

10

Ideological Criticism

Total Topics10 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Theologian

Apply your skills in this growing field

Religious Studies Scholar

Apply your skills in this growing field

Bible Translator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Pastor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Religious Educator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Religious OrganizationsEducational InstitutionsTranslation ServicesPublishingResearch

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches

2h

Unit 1: Introduction – Definition and Need for Biblical Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Define biblical criticism
  • •Differentiate between Higher and Lower Criticism
  • •Discuss the need for biblical criticism
Week
2

Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches

2h

Unit 2: Historical Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Define Historical Criticism
  • •Narrate the History of Historical Criticism
  • •Discuss various Interpretations of Historical Criticism
Week
3

Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches

2h

Unit 3: Source Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Define source criticism
  • •Describe some of the sources that may have been used by biblical authors
  • •Discuss some of the problems related to source criticism
Week
4

Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches

2h

Unit 4: Form Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Define Form Criticism
  • •Identify some of the scholars of Form criticism
  • •Discuss how Form Criticism works
Week
5

Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches

2h

Unit 5: Redaction Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Define Redaction Criticism
  • •Discuss the origin of redaction criticism
  • •Examine the methodology of Redaction Criticism
Week
6

Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches

2h

Unit 6: Textual Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Define Textual criticism
  • •Discuss the need for textual criticism
  • •Examine four principles of textual criticism
Week
7

Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches

2h

Unit 7: Textual Criticism (continued)

2 study hours
  • •Continue study of Textual criticism
  • •Apply principles of Textual criticism
  • •Identify textual errors and their causes
Week
8

Module 2: Text-Centred Criticism

2h

Unit 1: Theology and Biblical Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Appreciate the contribution of biblical criticism to systematic theology
  • •Discover that theology and scientific inquiry are not hostile to each other
Week
9

Module 2: Text-Centred Criticism

2h

Unit 2: Rhetorical Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Define rhetoric criticism
  • •Understand the history of rhetoric criticism
  • •Apply rhetorical criticism to both OT and NT
Week
10

Module 2: Text-Centred Criticism

2h

Unit 3: Rhetorical Criticism and the Hermeneutics of the New Testament

2 study hours
  • •Distinguish between rhetoric and its relation to communication
  • •Discuss rhetorical act and artefact
  • •Understand the theory of rhetoric
Week
11

Module 2: Text-Centred Criticism

2h

Unit 4: New Criticism and Structuralism

2 study hours
  • •Describe the concept new criticism and structuralism
  • •Make a distinction from New criticism and other forms of text-centred criticism
Week
12

Module 2: Text-Centred Criticism

2h

Unit 5: Gains and Losses of Modern Biblical Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Outline and discuss some of the gains and losses of Modern Biblical criticism
Week
13

Module 3: Reader-Centred Approaches

10h

Unit 1: Reader-Response Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Have an overview of reader-response criticism
  • •Discuss Deconstructionism and Canon Criticism

Unit 2: Reader-Response Criticism (contd)

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the dynamics of Audience criticism
  • •Discuss the dynamics of Indeterminacy
  • •Discuss the dynamics of Ideological Criticisms

Unit 3: Some Other Hermeneutical Issues and Approaches (Adapted from CTH 711)

2 study hours
  • •Explain the perennial problem of Sensus Plenior in Biblical Hermeneutics
  • •Discuss the Hermeneutical circle in modern Biblical interpretation
  • •Describe and analyse socio-cultural Hermeneutics and reader-response Hermeneutics

Unit 4: Recent Trends in Biblical Source Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Know the recent trends in biblical source criticism

Unit 5: Recent Trends in Biblical Source Criticism

2 study hours
  • •Appreciate the variety and complexity of biblical traditions in conversation with contemporary situations

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of the development of biblical criticism

2

Compare and contrast the different approaches to biblical interpretation

3

Practice applying each critical method to sample biblical passages

4

Focus on understanding the key concepts and terminology of each method

5

Review all assignments and tutor feedback

6

Form study groups to discuss challenging concepts and share insights

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