Bible reading in English for specific purposes

The devotional act of reading the Bible is full of meanings and can be an important site for the
production of knowledge and learning strategies if you practice using a modern English
version and mix two frameworks: Bible readings and theological content of Scriptures. In
order to understand the dynamics of English Biblical studies and the spread of christianity
worldwide, it is important to know an existing literature on Bible, the genres (gospels,
prophecy, epistles, historical, poetry) also God’s teachings of love and forgiveness.
Reading is one of the four macro skills and go hand in hand with communication, it is a
process involving decoding, building, obtaining meaning and sharing information, not a
passive affair and might move the gears of specific needs, uses of language and content aimed
to use a specific type of English in a canon of writing, reading, reciting, studying, worshiping,
praying, meditating, praising, forgiving, hymn-singing, confessing, theologizing and
commenting on these authoritative texts. When using the Holy Bible as an extra reading
material, it becomes crucial for the students to comprehend the meaning of biblical passages
written as well as specific theological and biblical vocabulary and its importance in
contemporary times. Students come from a variety of backgrounds, personal thoughts,
feelings, needs and beliefs, and for this reason, the role of teachers have extensive impacts to
avoid students’ negative reaction due to differences across cultures, lay stress on religion as a
linguistic enterprise and introduce important concepts and terminology, giving them a solid
foundation to continue their biblical studies and cultural experiences. Difficulties may arise
during the reading process, because religious vocabulary is hard to circumscribe (language of
sermons, liturgical traditions, theological discourses, vocatives, lexicals and grammaticals
archaisms – thou, thy, behold, thrice, thence).
In order to comprehend this kind of English, it is necessary to define English for specific
purposes: According to Hutchinson (1987), it is a branch of ESL and refers to teach English
language with reference to the particular vocabulary and skills, such as: Business English,
English for medical professionals, etc. English reading for the Bible and Theology for
example, focuses on religious aspects, lectures, church history, biblical topics and God’s
revelations as central statement of christian doctrine. An initial premise of English for Bible
and Theology is to help learners to improve their reading, writing, get biblical knowledge to
expand vocabulary, comprehend theological articles and books written in English and acquire
key reading skills to be good readers.
The nature of the Bible inevitably raises important questions of life and principles of faith, so
students are free to choose to attend or not, after all, it is about out of class session. Many
prejudices have existed against the use of the Bible as a text to teach English because of the
relationship between this book and some prohibited terms in the context of secular education,
such as religion, faith, moral values or in a critical sense, a certain fundamentalism by some
teachers who have coercively proselytize in their classrooms. However, the use of the Bible as
a textbook to teach English since it has inspired other disciplines, such as music, poetry, and
art, with a variety of forms and literary styles, must be taught in a tolerant, flexible,
responsible, objective, and critical way, teachers who works in Christian schools can openly
use the Bible to help students to develop positive character traits and a relationship with God,
as well as to achieve academic goals.
Reference:
Hutchinson, T. & A. Waters. 1987. English for Specific Purposes: A learning-centered
approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.