Dr. David Trobisch
  Email: David.Trobisch@gmail.com //  tel (417) 429 0098

 

EXEGETICAL METHODS

CENTER/LEARN, UCC, Des Moines, Iowa 
11/6 - 11/7/2009 // 1/8-1/9/2010
Homepage: http://www.trobisch.com/david

Syllabus

Course Description

This course will introduce students to the widely accepted methods of interpretation which form the basis of modern New and Old Testament scholarship: text-, source-, form-, and redaction-criticism, structural analysis, canonical approach, etc. The objective of this course is to help students develop skills that will enable them to take a scholarly approach to the Christian Bible in its original languages.

Knowledge of Greek and Hebrew is very helpful but not a prerequisite. Students will have a chance to acquire the necessary background information through reading assignments and exercises as they prepare for each session.

Learning Goals

At the end of the semester the successful student will be able (assessment tools are noted in parenthesis):

  1. to understand the structure of the apparatus of the Novum Testamentum Graece and decipher the most basic critical signs (workshop in class).
  2. to structure a Biblical book in more than one way following scholarly standards (workshop in class).
  3. to compare similar passages from the canonical gospels on the background of the Two-Source-Theory (short paper)
  4. to identify exegetical literature and resources accessible to the individual student (short paper)
  5. to reproduce background knowledge discussed in class (quiz)

Attention will be given to the various styles of exegesis for various purposes, including scholarly papers, Bible studies, public presentations, and preaching, but no sermons will be developed.

Class Work

Every student is expected to write one short paper (3-5 pages) in preparation for the class discussion and produce a list or exegetical resources available to the student. 

Text Books

Barbara Aland, Kurt Aland, Greek-English New Testament (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1994). (It is very important to me that everyone uses this scholarly edition of the New Testament. It will help reduce confusion in class.)

The New Revised Standard Version (c1989) will be the preferred translation used in class for Old Testament passages.

Homework

Preparation for the first session:

  1. Read the Gospel According to Mark from the beginning to end. 

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    Break the text up in at least four sections but not more than eight sections. 

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    Write down why you think that a section begins or ends at the place you suggested.

  2. Familiarize yourself with the Greek alphabet (click here)

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    Try to write your first name in Greek letters

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    Copy the first verse of Mark's Gospel (Mk 1:1) in Greek letters from the Greek New Testament (see text books).

Preparation for the second session:

  1. Synoptic comparison (short paper). You will receive instructions in class. Due one week before the second meeting by email.

  2. Produce a list of exegetical resources accessible to you.

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