JAMAICA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

That I may know Himthat I might make Him known

Course Outline/Study Guide COURSE TITLE: CREDIT: SEMESTER: LECTURER: E-MAIL ADDRESS: COURSE DESCRIPTION Reading the Bible as Literature covers the entire Bible, with only oblique references to the fourteen books of the Apocrypha. It aims to aid students to place a high value on the Bible as both an article of faith and analogy of experience. It aims to facilitate the student by enabling her/him to read, understand and make use of the Bible in personal and professional life. Students will understand the world of the bible during the course and will be enabled to read the bible from their lived experience: from the world in front of the bible (the reader's world). Above all, students will be able to appreciate the relevance, power and wisdom of the Bible. SYLLABUS OVERVIEW The course is divided into three modules. The first introduces students to how preoccupation with doctrine and the use of Scripture to maintain the status quo has undermined the reading of the Bible as literature with its concomitant implications. The module also examines the relationship between the reader, the writer and the text in the determination of meaning with emphasis on the relationship of the Caribbean person to the text. It also considers in some detail what makes the Bible literature and what is involved in literary analysis. The second and third modules examine portions of the Scriptures from different genres, with a view of unearthing their messages and relevance to the Caribbean in particular. STUDENT REQUIREMENTS: A. Attendance: Regular attendance and punctuality are expected. Students should miss no more than 3 hours of class. Absence above the allowed limit, as well as repeated tardiness, may result in the lowering of the final grade. For online students it is expected that students participate in all class discussions; a student will be allowed to miss no more than one weeks class discussion. Missing more than one weeks discussion may lead to a reduction in the students grade. B. Reading Fee, Gordon & Douglas Stuart (19 ). How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth,
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Reading the Bible as Literature 3 First Rev. Dr. Garnett Roper, David Pearson, Rev. Newton Dixon garnettroper@jts.edu.jm, davidpearson@jts.edu.jm, newtondixon@jts.edu.jm

Leland Ryken (1984). How to Read the Bible as Literature; Grand Rapids, Zondervan Read the whole Bible. You may exclude the following portions: Chronicles, Ezra, Proverbs to Lamentations C. Mini-Assignments 20%

Students are required to make frequent submissions of Mini-Assignments, which might include mini-papers and a number of discussions. There are a number of mini-assignments listed in the course schedule above, and students must do at least four (two compulsory ones are denoted by the asterisks). These assignments ought to be a maximum of 750 words (3 pages) and each is worth 5% of the final grade. While scores will be awarded for the mini-papers, the discussions themselves are not scored, but count to the students participation in the class. A lack of participation can be grounds for a reduction in the final grade, if such is deemed necessary by the lecturer. Due dates Sept. 9, October 12, October 26, November 16. D. Bible-Use Critique 20%

Students will be required to make careful note of four weeks use of the Bible in sermon delivery at church or through a regular religious media programme. The passage used in the sermon must be recorded as well as the main points made by the preacher/teacher. The critique should then evaluate the use of the passage based on the principles learnt in the class. Important questions to be answered include: Did the preacher make proper use of the principles associated with the genre and literature development of the passage/s? Did s/he understand the main point of the passage/s? How might you have made a better presentation of the passage in keeping with its main emphases? Due: November 9 E. Research Paper Write a research paper of 2,500-3,000 words on the following: Choose one book of the Bible. Say how it can be used as a tool/resource in your area of concentration/field of study. This is the Marking Scheme for the Research Paper: Content Analysis Documentation /30 /45 /8 20%

Adequate research, appropriately documented - [At least 7 sources cited throughout a paper of 10-12 pages; Sources used in support of writers position, not writers comments given in support of sources; Correct use of Turabian]

Organization

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Unity and cohesion of thought i.e. good paragraphing and use of transitional devices, logical development of ideas all points made in each paragraph related to the main idea of that paragraph Writing Style and Formatting 1. Well-structured sentences 2. Appropriate word choice (technical jargon) and tone 3. Headings; Pagination; Margins; Font size /2 /2 /2 /100 = /40 Due: November 30 PLEASE NOTE: All assignments should be submitted on time. All late work is to be graded as zero. Students can make appeals to the Academic Assessment Committee via the Dean within seven days after the deadline if they wish to contest the decision. F. Final Examination 40%

There will be a final examination in which students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of the Scriptures and of issues concerning its relevance to the Caribbean context. SCHEDULE *Denotes compulsory assignments. TOPICS ASSIGNMENTS DUE

MODULE 1: The Bible and the Caribbean Man *The Bible and Boundary Maintenance 1. The Bible and the Caribbean Man 9/21 2. Contending horizons in reading *Character sketch of ________ 10/12 The Hebrew Mid-Wives of Ex. 2 MODULE 2: Reading Narratives The Point of the Story of Joseph 3. Understanding Biblical Narratives Abrahams lie (Genesis 12) Sarah, Hagar and a wicked God? The Bible as story Who did David defeat: Goliath or __? The Pentateuch as Foundation Narrative The Prophets and Social Justice Tracing Setting, Plot and Character Hero Narratives Conflict and comparison Jesus as Liberator 4. The Prophets as Covenant Enforcers Acts as historys future? 5. The Gospels: One Story, Multiple Views Psalm 1 and its real meaning
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6. Acts as Prophetic Narrative MODULE 3: Other Genres 7. Poetry and Wisdom of Israel 8. The Epistles as Literature 9. That Scary Apocalypse

Philemon and Slavery: A literary read A Liberation view of Rev. 17 Any two (2) of the un-shaded assignments are due respectively on Bible Use Critique Final Paper Final Exam 10/26, 11/16 11/9 11/30 12

ASSESSMENT Course work is worth sixty percent of the final grade, and the final examination 40 percent. 1. Mini-Assignments 20 points 2. Bible use critique 20 points 3. Semester Paper 20 points 4. Examination 40 points 100 [total points] MODULE 1 [Weeks 1-3] Goals: By the end of this module, students will (1) understand the Bible as a collection of literary pieces (2) recognise that the Churchs pre-occupation with doctrine has robbed it of a broader understanding of the Scriptures (3) understand the role of pre-understanding in the hermeneutical process, and especially in relation to how Biblical interpretation has been impacted by the attitude the reader has to the social order of his/her time (4) understand that knowledge of the background of a text is important to understanding it, (5) and understand the significance of different forms of literature within the Bible Objectives: To demonstrate the goals students will (1) identify obstacles to understanding and applying the Biblical text (2) evaluate how their socialization has impacted their understanding of the Bible (3) explain why background information is important to Biblical interpretation (4) and identify different forms of literature. Topics Introducing the Bible Boundary Maintenance: Preoccupation with Doctrine

The Bible and the Social Order: Historical and Current Merging the Horizons: The Dynamics of Authorial Intent and Reader Response The World in front of the Text: The Bible and the Caribbean Person The World behind the Text: Historical/Cultural/Physical Background
The World of the Text: Literary Analysis

Refer to the chapters dealing with various genres in Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for all its Worth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. MODULE 2 [4-9] Goals: At the end of this module, students will gain skills in reading Biblical narratives through identifying and using various literary devices, such as setting, character and plot, as well as conflict and use of various genre like epic, comedy and tragedy. Objectives: To demonstrate this, students will analyse, interpret and apply specific Scripture passages with the Caribbean context in view. Topics Topics will be examined from among: Deut. 15:1-21, Lev 23:22, Lev. 25-Jubilee Woman in the Genealogy of Jesus o Tamar (Genesis 38) o Rahab (Joshua 2) o Ruth (Ruth 1-4) o Bathsheba (2 Sam 11, 12) o Mary (Luke 1, 2) Warlord, to Monarchy Jephthah and Survival Dynasty of the Omrides Prophets-Amos, Micaiah Ben Imlah Mark 5 Anti-establishment Literature Acts 9, 10- Jew/Gentile Controversy Matthew 24: Acts 1- The delay of the Parousia The Journey motif in the Gospels and throughout the scriptures Paul: Romans: 3, 13 and Philemon Letters to the Churches in Revelation [Guest Lecturer: Rev Burchell Taylor] The idea of the End of History

MODULE 3 [Weeks 10-14] Goals: At the end of this module, students will (1) understand the literary make-up of the Psalms and Epistles, such as parallelisms and hyperbole (Psalms) and occasionality (Epistles), and (2) demonstrate appropriate reading, interpretation and application strategies.

Objectives: To demonstrate the goals students will (1) identify literary markers germane to the genres being contemplated, (2) evaluate their impact on the possible meanings of the texts, and (3) apply specific texts to contemporary settings . Topics Wisdom literature and the wise Parallelisms in Hebrew Poetry
Psalm 1: A Study of Parallelisms at work Proverbs: Everyday Wisdom or Divine Promises? The Epistles as Occasional Documents Reading the Epistles Horizontally and Vertically Making sense of Cultural Relativity in the Epistles

Refer to the chapters dealing with various genres in Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for all its Worth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985.

GRADING CRITERIA GRADE A AB+ B BC+ C CF 88-100 84-87 80-83 75-79 70-74 64-69 57-63 50-56 0-49 % 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 0.0 GPA

REQUIRED READING AND LISTENING: Chisholm, Clinton. Reading the Bible Meaningfully. Kingston: Autos, 1995 (compact disc). Crain, Jeanie, Reading the Bible as Literature, Cambridge: Polity Press; 2010 Fee Gordon D. and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for all its Worth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Murrell, N. Sam. Hermeneutics as Interpretation and the Caribbean Student: Part 1.BINAH 2
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(1997): 7-28. Ryken, Leland. How to Read the Bible as Literature. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1984.

REFERENCE MATERIAL: Arthur, Kay. How to Study Your Bible. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House, 1994. Barr, James. The Semantics of Biblical Language. Oxford: OUP, 1981. Blount, Brian. Can I Get a Witness?: Reading Revelation through African American Culture. Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2005. Bruce, F.F. Interpretation of the Bible. In Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984. Caird, G.B. The Language and Imagery of the Bible. London: Duckworth, 1980. Carson, D.A. The Gagging of God. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. Clements, R.E. One Hundred Years of Old Testament Interpretation. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1976. Clines, David J.A. Biblical Hermeneutics in Theory and Practice. Christian Brethren Review. 31:65-77. Coggins, R.C.J and J.L Houlden, eds. A Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. London: SMC, 1990. Cotterall, Peter and Max Turner. Linguistics and Biblical Interpretation. Downers Grove, ILL: IVP, 1989. Crain, Jeanie C. Reading the Bible as Literature: An Introduction. Cambridge: Polity Press, 1988 Dockery, David. Biblical Interpretation Then and Now. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1992. Farrar, F.W. History of Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1961. Feinberg, John S., ed. Continuity and Discontinuity. Westchester, ILL: Crossways, 1988. Felder, Cain Hope, ed. Stony the Road We Trod: An African-American Biblical Interpretation. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991.

Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 2009. Grant, Robert M. A Short History of Interpretation. New York: Macmillan, 1963. Hendricks, Howard. Living by the Book. Chicago: Moody, 1994 Klein, W. Introduction to Biblical Introduction. Dallas: Word, 1993. Longenecker, Richard. Biblical Exegesis in the Apostolic Period. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974. Mickelson, Berkeley. Interpreting the Bible. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981. Murrell, N. Sam Hermeneutics as Interpretation and the Caribbean Student: Part 1. BINAH 2:728. Osborne, Grant. The Hermeneutical Spiral. Downers Grove: IVP, 1991. Palmer, D.V. Book Review: The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism. BINAH 2 (1997): 102-110. Pinnock, Clark. The Scripture Principle. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1990. Ramm, Bernard. Hermeneutics. Grand Rapids: Baker Books House, 1987. _____________. Protestant Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1970. Roper, Garnett. The charge of sedition and the spread of the Church in Acts. Thesis, Westminster Theological Seminary, 1986. ____________. Equipping the saints for ministry. In The David Jelleyman Lectures. Kingston: J.B.U., 1999. Roper, Garnett. Caribbean Theology as Public Theology Dissertation (unpublished), Exeter University. Ryken, Leland. Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1987. Silva, Moises. Biblical Words and their Meaning. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1983. Sugirtherajah, R.S. ed. Voices from the Margin. London: SPCK, 1995. Taylor, Burchell. The Church Taking Sides: A Contextual Reading of the Letters to the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. Kingston: Bethel Baptist Church, 1995.
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Thiselton, Anthony. Two Horizons: New Testament and Philosophical Descriptions. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985. Thompson, Glenn. The Eschatological Significance of 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12. CGST Thesis, 1995. Vanhoozer, Kevin. Is there a Meaning in This Text? Downers Grove, ILL: IVP, 1998. Wink, Walter. Transforming Bible Study. Nashville: Abingdon, 1980. Yorke, Gosnell. Bible Translation in Africa: An Afrocentric Perspective. The Bible Translator 50 (1) (January, 2000):114-123.