Biblical Interpretation

This course is designed to inform students about big-picture questions in the Bible. In conjunction with the text, How (not) To Read the Bible, students address questions like, “What does it mean that the Bible is God’s word?”, “Does the Bible have any errors in it?”, “How do we know if the Bible is literal or metaphorical?” These questions will help students to engage scripture in light of our culture today.  After overviewing the types of literature found in the Bible and interpretation methods, students will apply this knowledge to various Old Testament scriptures. Students spend extra time in the book of Proverbs, interpreting how and when ancient wisdom can be applied today.  

This course equips students with tools to understand the Bible’s story, genres, and cultural context so they can interpret Scripture wisely. Using How (Not) to Read the Bible as a guide, students explore big-picture questions about how the Bible was written, how meaning is conveyed, and how to read difficult or confusing passages. Throughout the year, students practice interpretation across a variety of biblical books and genres, and consider how Biblical wisdom can be lived out today.