Interpretation of the Bible

Religion 317X 
James W. Aageson 

OFFICE HOURS: 

Academy #208 
Students are also encouraged to contact the Professor by e-mail 
 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

This Course is designed to present and integrate the various methods which 
biblical scholars have developed for the study of the Bible. Consideration will 
be given to the manner in which the biblical text, the biblical context, and the interpreter of the Bible interact. The class will be conducted as a seminar and 
the students will be expected to read the designated readings, contribute to class 
discussion, and write papers as assigned. 
 

REQUIRED TEXTS: 

Bible, New Revised Standard Version

Troubling Biblical Waters, Cain Hope Felder 

Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach, W. Randoph Tate 

Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives- 
 Phyllis Trible 
 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Read assigned readings 
2. Quizzes (all of the quizzes combined will equal one exam) 
3. Final Exam 
4. Seminar text report 
5. Four papers 
6. Class participation 
 
 

EVALUATION: 

1. Quizzes combined-15% 
2. Final exam-15% 
3. Three papers-15% each 
4. Oral presentation-10% 
5. Attendance and class participation-15% 
 

COURSE OUTLINE: 
 

    An Integrated Approach to Biblical Interpretation

September 7--Introduction 

September 14—The World Behind the Text--Read: Tate pp. xix-xxvi, 
        3-11,  29-63; Genesis 1 & 2 
   1. Discussion of Tate 
   2. Film: “In God’s Image” 
   3. Interpretive Discussion 

September 21--The World Within the Text--Read: Tate pp. 67-154; 
   Genesis 2 & 3 
   1.  Discussion of Tate 
   2. Film: “Temptation” 
       3. Interpretive Discussion 
   4. Quiz 

September 28--The World in Front of the Text--Read: Tate pp. 157-258; 
   Genesis 12-22, Gospel of Mark
   1. Discussion of Tate 
   2. Film: “A Family Affair”
   3. Interpretive Discussion
   4. The Gospel of Mark: a Case in Point 
 

    Feminist Literary Interpretation: Old Testament Texts of Terror 

October 5--Read: Trible pp. 1-63 
         Hagar—Read Genesis 16:1-16, 21:9-21 
         Tamar--Read: 2 Samuel 13:1-22 
      1. Discussion of Trible on Genesis 
      2. Evaluation 
           3. Discussion of Trible on 2 Samuel 
      4. Evaluation 

October 12--Read: Trible pp. 64-116 
           An Unnamed Woman--Read: Judges 19:1-30 
           Jephthah's Daughter--Read: Judges 11:29-40 
      1. Discussion of Trible on Judges 19 
      2. Evaluation 
      3. Discussion of Trible on Judges 11 
      4. Evaluation 

October 19—Feminism and the Bible 
      1. Film: “Mary Magdalen: An Intimate Portrait” 
      2. Round Table Discussion Based on Student Questions 
                     3. Quiz 
 

       African  American Interpretation

November 2—The Bible and Race—Read: Felder pp. xi-48 
      1. Discussion 
      2. Evaluation 

November 9--The Bible and Class--Read: Felder pp. 51-134 
      1. Discussion 
      2. Evaluation 

November 16—The Bible and Family--Read: Felder pp. 139-177 
      1. Discussion 
      2. Evaluation 
      3. Film: “Amistad” 

November 23 (No Class) 

November 30—Seminar Text Reports 
    Quiz 

December 7—Seminar Text Reports 

December 14—Final Exam 
 

PAPERS 1, 2, & 3: 

Each student in the seminar will select a biblical text of manageable 
proportions. Three six page interpretive papers will be written on the 
same text: The first looking at "the world behind the text," the second 
looking at "the world within the text," and the third looking at "the 
world in front of the text." These three approaches to biblical texts are 
described and evaluated by Randolph Tate in his book. These papers are to 
be typed, fully annotated, inclusive in the use of language, and presented 
as formal interpretations of biblical texts. The dates for the three papers are: 
September 28, October 19, and November 16. 
 

PAPER 4: 

Paper four shall be a summary and integration of the insights, perspectives, and conclusions of papers 1, 2, & 3. It shall be written and presented to the class 
on November 30 or December 7 as a seminar text report. In this paper/ 
report the students shall draw together their conclusions regarding their interpretation 
of the biblical text under consideration. This paper will be turned in the instructor 
but will be graded primarily on the basis of the oral report. 
 

QUIZ DATES: 

September 21 
October 19 
November 30