BI-2280 Hermeneutics/Bible Study Methods Syllabus

Note:
COURSE CONTENT MAY BE CHANGED, TERM TO TERM, WITHOUT
NOTICE. THE INFORMATION BELOW IS PROVIDED AS A GUIDE FOR
COURSE SELECTION AND IS NOT BINDING IN ANY FORM.

2009, 2010 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. All rights reserved.

BI-2280 Hermeneutics/Bible Study Methods Syllabus

MOODY DISTANCE LEARNING

Course Number, Name, and Credit Hours
BI-2280 Hermeneutics/Bible Study Methods, 3 credit hours
Course Description
A course examining the principles and practice of biblical interpretation as well as the primary tools of
biblical research. The student will become acquainted with the history of interpretation and a defense
of the literal-historical-grammatical approach. Hermeneutical strategies will be used to interpret
various literary genres, analyze structural relationships, perform word studies, and develop principles
for accurate practical application. Prerequisite: MS 1102 Studying and Teaching the Bible
Course Goals
The goals for this course are as follows:
Understand ones presuppositions about the nature and interpretation of the Bible
Understand the history of biblical interpretation and ones place within it
Develop a method for interpreting biblical texts
Develop a method for evaluating societal and ecclesial practices in the light of ones
interpretive conclusions
Appreciate the diversity amongst interpreters and exhibit charity in the interpretation of texts
and the evaluation of positions, as well as in ones interactions with one another
Course Objectives
At the completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Articulate a strategy to manage and cultivate the necessary practices and attitudes of
Christian interpreters
2. Summarize the major trends in the history of biblical interpretation
3. Employ a consistent, historical-grammatical hermeneutic in the interpretation of biblical texts
4. Discuss the implications of a given interpretation for yourself, your local church and the
universal Church
5. Evaluate the insights of various primary and secondary sources and incorporate these
insights into ones interpretation of the biblical text

2009, 2010 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. All rights reserved.

BI-2280 Hermeneutics/Bible Study Methods Syllabus

Course Textbook(s) and/or Supplemental Information

Books
Required textbooks for all Moody Online classes can be found on the Required Textbooks section of the
Moody website.
Online Sources
Averbeck, Richard E. God, People, and the Bible: The Relationship between Illumination and Biblical
Scholarship in Whos Afraid of the Holy Spirit? Edited by Daniel B. Wallace and M. James Sawyer.
Dallas: Biblical Studies, 2005, pp. 137-166. [Averbeck] http://bible.org/seriespage/god-people-andbible-relationship-between-illumination-and-biblical-scholarship
Bailey, Mark. Guidelines for Interpreting Jesus Parables. [Bailey]
http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article_parables_bailey.html
Eaton, Philip. The Prodigal Son: Our Grace-Filled Story 1997098 chapel recording from
Seattle Pacific University available at iTunes University. [Eaton]
http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/spu-public.1400085145?i=1870792598
Fee, Gordon D. Pauls Letter to the Philippians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995, pp. 1-38, 46-53.
IBSN: 0802825117.
http://books.google.com/books?id=bVNUuVwLFEcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=philippians&ei=AffNS_
CFBZX0NN7l0Z0G&cd=7#v=onepage&q&f=false
Required Reference Works
The following online works are utilized in the completion of the Interpretive Skills Assignments (described
below in Assignments).
Balz, Horst, and Gerhard Schneider. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament vol. 1. Grand Rapids,
MI: Eerdmans, 1990. IBSN: 0802828035.
http://books.google.com/books?id=OZfKHpLoRWcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=theological+dictionary&
source=gbs_similarbooks_s&cad=1#v=onepage&q&f=false
Botterweck, G. Johannes, Ringgren, Helmer, and Heinz-Josef Fabry, eds. Theological Dictionary of the
Old Testament vol. XIII. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004. IBSN: 0802823386.
http://books.google.com/books?id=RAwg47G0M2IC&printsec=frontcover&dq=theological+dictionary&
lr=&ei=YPjNS5SgFo3WMJSgjZwL&cd=5#v=onepage&q&f=false
Craddock, Fred B. Philippians. Louisville, KY: John Knox, 1985. IBSN: 0804231400.
http://books.google.com/books?id=3NBGM_c6qIQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=philippians&ei=SPbNS
62lDYOeMoP9sIEP&cd=4#v=onepage&q&f=false
Kittel, Gerhard, and Gerhard Friedrich, eds. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament Theology.
Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1985. IBSN: 0802824048.
http://books.google.com/books?id=ltZBUW_F9ogC&printsec=frontcover&dq=theological+dictionary&e
i=GvfNS665D4uuNt_3laoG&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false
OBrien, Peter. The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans, 1991. IBSN: 0802823920.

2009, 2010 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. All rights reserved.

BI-2280 Hermeneutics/Bible Study Methods Syllabus

http://books.google.com/books?id=IpbiGkWRKc0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=philippians&ei=7fbNS73
vLZ7qNaCS9YcG&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false
Students also need to obtain ONE Bible concordance. Students may purchase a Bible software
package with a concordance or utilize freeware such as e-Sword (KJV) or software such as that available
from Logos instead of purchasing texts in paper-based formats. It is the students responsibility to ensure
that software purchased has concordances that are keyed to the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Old and
New Testament. The following concordances are suggested:
Goodrick, Edward W. and John R. Kohlenberger III, Zondervan NIV Exhaustive Concordance (Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 1999) IBSN: 0310229979
Zondervan NASB Exhaustive Concordance (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000) IBSN: 0310236258
NOTE: Concordances are designed to supplement a particular Bible version, so purchase the
concordance that corresponds with the version of Scripture you utilize most often. If you use the
NIV as your primary translation, for instance, you should get the Zondervan NIV Exhaustive
Concordance. There are other concordances that would work with the various other translations.
When you look for a concordance not listed above, please ensure that it is exhaustive in nature.
Assignments Overview
You are required to complete all the assignments listed below to receive a passing grade in the course.
You are also required to post in online discussion boards and to listen to audio lectures posted in the
course and on the Internet. Detailed descriptions of these assignments are in the Schedule &
Assignments folder within the Assignments section of the Blackboard course.
READING/LISTENING
Assigned texts are to be read conscientiously and in accordance with the Course Schedule. You will
report your completion of the assigned texts by the end of each course week. You should also listen to or
read the transcripts for all the course lectures according to the Course Schedule. Your comprehension of
the material will be assessed through the completion of the nine Interpretive Skills Assignments.
DISCUSSION BOARDS
You are required to participate in an online discussion of various readings. This discussion board is
meant to help you broaden your understanding of Hermeneutics and to engage new perspectives by
interacting with each other on various fields related to the interpretation of Scripture.
ENGLISH GRAMMAR EXAM
Having an understanding of English grammar is invaluable to those interpreting biblical texts. As such,
this course will help you to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to utilize essential English
grammar concepts in your interpretation of biblical texts. This exam occurs during Week 3.
The English grammar exam will evaluate your ability to identify grammatical structures and the parts of
speech they modify. The exam will consist of a series of clauses and phrases taken from various
passages of scripture. You will be asked to identify and/or describe the function of various parts of speech
within these verses.

2009, 2010 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. All rights reserved.

BI-2280 Hermeneutics/Bible Study Methods Syllabus

GREEK ALPHABET ASSIGNMENT

Having an understanding of the Greek alphabet will help you more effectively use theological dictionaries
and other Greek language tools. As such, this course will help you to develop the knowledge and skills
necessary to utilize the Greek alphabet in your interpretation of biblical texts. You will use what you learn
in the Greek Word Study ISA #8 (see below).
INTERPRETIVE SKILLS ASSIGNMENTS
You are required to complete the following nine (9) interpretive skills assignments (ISA) as listed below.
Detailed descriptions for these assignments are in the Schedule & Assignments folder within the
Assignments section of the Blackboard course.
ISA #1: Background Summary
ISA #2: Notes
Genre Analyses: ISAs #3 #6
ISA #3: Narrative Analysis
ISA #4: Poetic Analysis
ISA #5: Gospels Analysis
ISA #6: Epistles Analysis
ISA #7: Hebrew Word Study
ISA #8: Greek Word Study
ISA #9: Application of Philippians 1:3-11

2009, 2010 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. All rights reserved.

BI-2280 Hermeneutics/Bible Study Methods Syllabus

Assessments
Your grade for this course will consist of:
Reading
Discussion Boards
Grammar Exam and Greek Alphabet
Assignment
Interpretive Skills Assignments

10%
10%
5%
75%
100%

Letter grades are determined by the following scale:

Letter
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+

Percentage
Equivalent
95% or higher
94 - 94.9%
93 - 93.9%
87 - 92.9%
86 - 86.9%
85 - 85.9%

Letter
Grade
C
CD+
D
DF

Percentage
Equivalent
77 - 84.9%
76 - 76.9%
75 - 75.9%
71- 74.9%
70 - 70.9%
Below 70%

Course Resources
Online students have access to the Moody Library. Though students may wish to check out books via
inter-library loan, the online database has a number of articles and reviews available for download. You
can access the online database by logging into your account at my.moody.edu. If you have not
previously accessed the library database you may wish to complete the database tutorial.
In addition to the resources available at the Moody Library, you may wish to visit
http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk or www.bible.org. These sites contain content on various topics written
by competent biblical scholars. It is also suggested that you download a free version of the NET Bible at
www.bible.org.
The final resource that deserves mention here is iTunes University. Apple has developed a platform for
colleges and universities to post audio and video content. There are a number of lectures available on
iTunes U. Various schools such as Dallas Theological Seminary, Seattle Pacific University, Duke, and
Yale have posted content related to biblical and theological studies.

2009, 2010 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. All rights reserved.

BI-2280 Hermeneutics/Bible Study Methods Syllabus

Course Policies
USE OF RESOURCES
It is expected that students will use a variety of resources in the completion of their assignments.
Students are expected to use the resources which are currently available in Moodys library, as well as
various monographs and journal articles. Reputable Internet sources may also be used. Students should
avoid using the free Internet commentaries such as those available at
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/. Whole Bible commentaries, such as the Bible Knowledge
Commentary, may be sited in conjunction with other scholarly resources, but should not serve as the
students primary research source. Acceptable commentary series include, but are not limited to:

Word Biblical Commentary (WBC)

New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT)
New International commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT)
New International Greek Testament Commentary (NIGTC)
Pillar
Interpretation
New American Commentary (NAC)
NIV Application Commentary (NIVAC)
International Critical Commentary (ICC)
Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible

Students may also use patristic or classical works from church history such as those produced by Calvin,
Luther, Tertullian, Barth, etc. Many of these resources are available at www.ccel.org . Questions
concerning the usefulness of secondary resources should be sent to your course instructor.
The following sites provide good information for research:
http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk
www.bible.org
http://www.ccel.org/
http://www.etana.org/abzu/
The following websites provide reviews of various Internet resources:
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~jtreat/rs/resources.html
http://bpeterson.faculty.ltss.edu/Web_Resources/InternetResourcesHome.htm#Language
Course Copyright Statement
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2009, 2010 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. All rights reserved.