Module THMN3011: The Bible in Christian Ministry

Department: Theology and Ministry

THMN3011: The Bible in Christian Ministry

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This module aims to provide Level Three students with:
• 1. a critical engagement with hermeneutical thinking in biblical interpretation;
• 2. a critical analysis of the interaction between a doctrine of scripture and the practices of biblical interpretation;
• 3. detailed case studies exploring exegetical and hermeneutical questions with regard to selected biblical passages (both OT and NT);
• 4. a forum for interdisciplinary and integrative exploration of questions concerning the role of scripture within Christian ministry, including perspectives from a variety of traditions, and a variety of historical periods.

Content

• The areas to be covered by the syllabus will normally be:
• Biblical exegesis - as a discipline, and in practice
• The Bible as Christian scripture - the doctrine of scripture ; canon & authority
• Two testaments, one Bible - the concerns of ‘biblical theology’
• Current issues in biblical and theological hermeneutics
• The nature of confessional interpretation in the context of contemporary biblical studies
• Case studies in the history of interpretation and its significance
• Case studies in the role of scripture in Christian ministry - to be selected from a list of possible topics
• The teaching and preaching of scripture today - hermeneutical perspectives from the disciplines of biblical studies.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module, students should be able to:
• engage critically and self-reflectively in the disciplines of biblical exegesis;
• engage with theological and hermeneutical awareness in an analysis of the role(s) of Christian scripture in the church’s life;
• deploy appropriately, and with suitable critical interaction, the resources of church tradition and academic tradition in their use of Christian scripture in ministry;
• deploy appropriate evaluative criteria in their handling of Christian scripture in ministry.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• 28 hours contact time including lectures and occasional small-group seminars

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1500 word book critique

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University