Biblical Criticisms
- Arts
- 800 level
- 3 credit units
- 150 pages
- 16 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 273 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CRS814, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CRS814 · Unit 1: Introduction – Definition and Need for Biblical Criticism
The examination will consist of questions which reflect the type of self-testing, practice exercises and tutor–marked problems you have come across. All areas of the course will be assessed.
What you should be able to do
- Define and apply various methods of biblical criticism
- Analyze biblical texts from different critical perspectives
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each critical approach
- Understand the historical development of biblical criticism
- Interpret biblical texts in their historical and cultural contexts
What it prepares you for
- Theologian
- Religious Studies Scholar
- Bible Translator
- Pastor
- Religious Educator
- Religious Organizations
- Educational Institutions
- Translation Services
- Publishing
- Research
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches
Unit 2: Historical Criticism
Requires understanding of complex historical contexts and the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.
- Module 2: Text-Centred Criticism
Unit 4: New Criticism and Structuralism
Involves grasping abstract literary theories and applying them to biblical texts, which can be challenging without a strong background in literary analysis.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 34 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches
Unit 1: Introduction – Definition and Need for Biblical Criticism · 2 hours
Define biblical criticism. Differentiate between Higher and Lower Criticism. Discuss the need for biblical criticism.
- Week 2Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches
Unit 2: Historical Criticism · 2 hours
Define Historical Criticism. Narrate the History of Historical Criticism. Discuss various Interpretations of Historical Criticism.
- Week 3Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches
Unit 3: Source Criticism · 2 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 4Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches
Unit 4: Form Criticism · 2 hours
Define Form Criticism. Identify some of the scholars of Form criticism. Discuss how Form Criticism works.
- Week 5Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches
Unit 5: Redaction Criticism · 2 hours
Define Redaction Criticism. Discuss the origin of redaction criticism. Examine the methodology of Redaction Criticism.
- Week 6Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches
Unit 6: Textual Criticism · 2 hours
Define Textual criticism. Discuss the need for textual criticism. Examine four principles of textual criticism.
- Week 7Module 1: Author-Centred Approaches
Unit 7: Textual Criticism (continued) · 2 hours
Continue study of Textual criticism. Apply principles of Textual criticism. Identify textual errors and their causes.
- Week 8Module 2: Text-Centred Criticism
Unit 1: Theology and Biblical Criticism · 2 hours
Appreciate the contribution of biblical criticism to systematic theology. Discover that theology and scientific inquiry are not hostile to each other.
- Week 9Module 2: Text-Centred Criticism
Unit 2: Rhetorical Criticism · 2 hours
Define rhetoric criticism. Understand the history of rhetoric criticism. Apply rhetorical criticism to both OT and NT.
- Week 10Module 2: Text-Centred Criticism
Unit 3: Rhetorical Criticism and the Hermeneutics of the New Testament · 2 hours
Distinguish between rhetoric and its relation to communication. Discuss rhetorical act and artefact. Understand the theory of rhetoric.
- Week 11Module 2: Text-Centred Criticism
Unit 4: New Criticism and Structuralism · 2 hours
Describe the concept new criticism and structuralism. Make a distinction from New criticism and other forms of text-centred criticism.
- Week 12Module 2: Text-Centred Criticism
Unit 5: Gains and Losses of Modern Biblical Criticism · 2 hours
Outline and discuss some of the gains and losses of Modern Biblical criticism.
- Week 13Module 3: Reader-Centred Approaches
Unit 1: Reader-Response Criticism · 2 hours
Have an overview of reader-response criticism. Discuss Deconstructionism and Canon Criticism.
Unit 2: Reader-Response Criticism (contd) · 2 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 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 hours
Know the recent trends in biblical source criticism.
Unit 5: Recent Trends in Biblical Source Criticism · 2 hours
Appreciate the variety and complexity of biblical traditions in conversation with contemporary situations.
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of the development of biblical criticism
- Compare and contrast the different approaches to biblical interpretation
- Practice applying each critical method to sample biblical passages
- Focus on understanding the key concepts and terminology of each method
- Review all assignments and tutor feedback
- Form study groups to discuss challenging concepts and share insights
Questions students ask about this course
What is CRS814 about?
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.
How many units does CRS814 have?
CRS814, Biblical Criticisms, has 16 units across 3 modules, over 150 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CRS814?
CRS814 carries 3 credit units, at 800 level in Arts.
Is CRS814 hard?
CRS814 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work.
How long does CRS814 take to study?
About 273 hours of study, spread across its 16 units.
How is CRS814 assessed?
CRS814 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with CRS814?
Theologian, Religious Studies Scholar, Bible Translator, Pastor and Religious Educator.