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Foundations of Biblical Interpretation
Rating: 4.5 out of 5(34 ratings)
313 students

Foundations of Biblical Interpretation

Learn central concepts to help you understand, interpret, and apply the Bible
Created byBranson Parler
Last updated 1/2013
English

What you'll learn

  • In this course, you will learn 1) how to read the Bible with awareness of historical and cultural context.
  • 2) How to read the Bible with attentiveness to the literary characteristics of the text
  • 3) How to read the Bible with knowledge of the big story of the Bible.
  • 4) How to read the Bible with self-awareness regarding the theological and cultural presuppositions that shape our interpretation of the Bible.

Course content

2 sections • 11 lectures • 5h 23m total length

  • Introduction10:20
    This introduction gives a brief overview of the course and discusses why biblical interpretation is a valuable topic to explore.
  • Interpretation Guided by Love36:27
    This lecture covers the centrality of the two great commands--love of God and love of neighbor--in guiding our interpretation of the Bible.
    In case you would like to do the same reading that my students do in class, I've included that information with each lecture. Doing the reading will give you greater insight into the matters discussed in each lecture, but the lectures can be understood without the reading.
    Background reading (optional): Augustine, De Doctrina Christiana (On Christian Doctrine), Book 1, chap. 35 - Book 2, chap. 5. Click here to read this text for free online.
  • Bad Ways of Reading the Bible37:41
    This lectures discusses some common ways that we misread and misinterpret Scripture.

    Background reading: How to Read the Bible in Changing Times by Mark L. Strauss, pp. 13-39.

  • Reader's Context30:08
    This lecture discusses different ways in which our own context shapes how we interpret Scripture. We need to learn to become self-aware readers of Scripture so that we can properly understand the meaning of the text, as opposed to imposing our own meaning on the text.
    Background reading: Grasping God's Word, 3rd edition by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, pp.137-147.
  • The Role of the Holy Spirit24:57
    This lecture discusses the importance of the Holy Spirit in our interpretation of Scripture, covering topics such as inspiration and illumination.

    Background reading: How to Read the Bible in Changing Times by Mark L. Strauss, pp.41-56.

  • The Big Story of the Bible47:42
    If we are going to properly interpret any text of Scripture, we must have a good understanding of the overarching narrative of Scripture. This lecture summarizes the basic story of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation.
    Background Reading: How to Read the Bible in Changing Times by Mark L. Strauss, pp.56-68

Requirements

  • There are suggested readings that accompany each lecture, but those readings are not required.

Description

This course is for those who find the Bible interesting, enlightening, confusing, or all of the above! This course explores the foundations of biblical interpretation and provides students with key tools for reading, interpreting, and applying the Bible in the contemporary world. There are nine lectures in the course (over 5 hours of content), with accompanying PowerPoints.

Who this course is for:

  • Anyone who wants to grow in their understanding of how to interpret the Bible better.

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