BIB 501. Elementary Hebrew I. (3 h)
A course for beginners in the classical Hebrew of the Bible, with emphasis on the basic principles of grammar and the reading of biblical texts.
BIB 502. Elementary Hebrew II. (3 h)
A course for beginners in the classical Hebrew of the Bible, with emphasis on the basic principles of grammar and the reading of biblical texts.
BIB 503. Intermediate Hebrew. (3 h)
A course for beginners in the classical Hebrew of the Bible, with emphasis on the basic principles of grammar and the reading of biblical texts.
BIB 504. Advanced Hebrew. (3 h)
BIB 511. Introduction to New Testament Greek I. (3 h)
A beginning course in Koine Greek, covering the fundamentals of grammar, with extensive reading in New Testament texts.
BIB 512. Introduction to New Testament Greek II. (3 h)
A beginning course in Koine Greek covering the fundamentals of grammar with extensive reading in New Testament texts.
BIB 521. Old Testament Interpretation. (3 h)
An introduction to the history, religion, and literature of ancient Israel as preserved in the Hebrew Bible or Christian Old Testament.
BIB 541. New Testament Interpretation. (3 h)
This course provides an overview of New Testament texts and contexts. Students will explore the content, historical context, literary structures, and theological perspectives of New Testament texts. In addition, students will learn some basic tools for biblical interpretation.
BIB 542. Interpreting New Testament Letters. (3 h)
This course focuses on the early Christian epistolary tradition, deepening students' knowledge of Pauline letters, catholic letters, and texts often associated with letter writers (e.g. Hebrews). Students will intensify their ability to use a variety of exegetical tools for New Testament interpretation and begin to explore different interpretive frameworks. Prerequisite BIB 541.
BIB 543. Interpreting New Testament Gospels. (3 h)
This course focuses on the early Christian gospel tradition, deepening students' knowledge of canonical gospel texts (including Acts). Students will intensify their ability to use a variety of exegetical tools for New Testament interpretation and begin to explore different interpretive frameworks. Prequisite: BIB 541.
BIB 612. Angels and Demons. (3 h)
An exploration of angelic and demonic figures in the biblical text and in the history of interpretation in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. This course will also consider the portrayal of angels (some fallen) in contemporary fiction, television, and film.
BIB 614. Multicultural Biblical Interpretation. (3 h)
Through case studies of New Testament texts, this course introduces students to interpretive frameworks and perspectives from multiple cultural perspectives, particularly those of women from various social locations, nationalities, socio-economic classes, and faith commitments. Students will learn skills for interacting with textual frameworks that are not their own. The course will focus on two primary questions: What constitutes difference in biblical interpretation? What sustains biblical interpretation across difference?.
BIB 615. Myth and Scripture: The Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Myth. (3 h)
This seminar explores biblical texts that depict the creation of the world, divine combat, and the abode of the dead within their ancient Near Eastern mythological contexts. We will study Genesis 1-11 and Babylonian creation myths (Enuma Elish, Atrahasis and others); the Ugaritic Baal Cycle and biblical traditions of God's defeat of the Dragon and Sea (e.g. Isaiah 51, Revelation 12); and descents to the Netherworld (Nergal and Ereshkigal, The Descent of Ishtar, Isis and Osiris, Isaiah 14, and others). Goddess traditions may receive special attention.
BIB 616. Myths of Creation. (3 h)
This course explores a variety of ancient and 'primitive' mythological texts concerned with the origins of the cosmos, the gods, and humanity. Selections from Hindu, Buddhist, Native American, Babylonian, Egyptian, Hebrew, Greek, Persian, and Norse mythology are examined within their respective cutlures as well as in a comparative context. Attention is given to various anthropological and psychological theories of myth and literary methods of myth analysis. We also explore Genesis 1-3 and the creative reinterpretation of the Biblical images of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The course concludes with a consideration of the survival of myth in the postmodern world and the relationship of the mythological imagination to recent scientific explanations of universal origins and cosmology.
BIB 617. The Bible and Film. (3 h)
This course explores the different ways in which the Bible, theology, and film can be placed into mutually critical conversation. While some attention is given to how the Bible and its stories are depicted in film, the goal of the class is to construct enriching dialogues between specific biblical texts and recent films of various kinds. How can biblical texts provide new lenses for our viewing of films? In what ways can films enrich our understanding and interpretation of Scripture? How can films be used in congregational settings to deepen our theological reflection and engagement?.
BIB 619. Africa and the Bible. (3 h)
This seminar explores the significance of Africa and Africans within biblical literature, with a primary focus on ancient Egyptian history and literature. Topics include Egyptian myth, magic, and poetry; the history and stories of Joseph, Exodus, and the Holy Family in Egypt; and biblical characters such as Hagar, the Queen of Sheba, the Black Pharaohs, and the Ethiopian eunuch. We will also survey the history of Judaism and Orthodox Christianity in Egypt, Meroë, and Ethiopia (including Rastafarianism) before concluding with some contemporary (post-colonial) readings of the Bible in Africa.
BIB 623. The Book of Psalms: Poetry and Spirituality. (3 h)
While much of the Bible purports to be God speaking to humanity, the Book of Psalms is a record of humans speaking to God in their emotional heights and depths. The psalms are “poems of emotional turbulence,” encompassing loving hymns, heartfelt thanksgiving, sorrowful laments, and violent imprecations against one’s enemies. To learn from these insights, this class will engage in a close reading of selections from the Book of Psalms as ancient Hebrew poetry and as resources for contemporary spirituality and moral self-examination.
BIB 625. Fair Spoken and Persuading: The Book of Isaiah and Prophetic Leadership. (3 h)
This class uses the complex book of Isaiah to explore models of prophetic leadership. As the author of much of chapters 1-39, Isaiah of Jerusalem spent his prophetic career interacting with seventh-century BCE kings of Judah as they struggled with their nation’s religious identity, position in regional politics, and the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire. “Second Isaiah” (chapters 40-55) was written by an anonymous poet and prophet in the Babylonian Exile who sought to motivate his refugee community to accept the new thing that God was doing in their midst to “set the captives free.” The author(s) of “Third Isaiah” (chapters 56–66) was situated in the post-exilic community in Judah as they struggled to rebuild the Temple and the city of Jerusalem among contentious and competing political and religious parties. These three historical contexts present the prophet as one who attempts to guide the religious and political leaders of his time by persuasive speech and a keen religious vision of the beloved community. Students will examine the social, moral, and spiritual vision of Isaiah within these historical contexts and then apply their lessons to their own leadership roles as ministers, teachers, and prophetic preachers. P-BIB 521.
BIB 630. Daniel: Stories and Visions. (3 h)
A close reading (exegesis) of the book of Daniel with traditional and contemporary methods. P-BIB 522 .
BIB 631. The Five Festival Scrolls. (3 h)
A literary and theological study of Esther, Ruth, Lamentations, Song of Songs, and Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) as canonical books and as festival readings in the Jewish liturgical year.
BIB 642. Slavery and the New Testament. (3 h)
This course explores the role of slavery in the lives of the earliest Christ-followers. Through an examination of the texts and contexts of the New Testament, students will explore the social, historical, political, and theological legacies of slavery. The course culminates in useable resources for guiding contemporary faith communities in wrestling with scriptural legacies of slavery.
BIB 666. The Book of Revelation. (3 h)
From visions of heavenly worship to visions of renewed creation, from fantasmic monsters to epic battles, the book of Revelation remains one of the most enigmatic texts in our scriptual canon. In the first half of this course, students will explore the historical context, including contemporaneous apocalyptic literature, archaeological materials, and early Christian uses of the Revelation of John. The second half of the course will turn to an examination of modern interpretations of Revelation found in popular literature (e.g. Left Behind series), political discourses, and contemporary Christianity. We will focus on how these interpretations manifest theologically and ethically in the life of the church. P-BIB 541.
BIB 701. Readings in Hebrew. (1-3 h)
Directed study for those who have completed the required courses and one intermediate course in Biblical Hebrew.
BIB 711. Advanced Readings in Greek. (1-3 h)
An opportunity to read early Christian texts in Greek at an intermediate level for one to three hours a week. Readings and meeting times are decided by students and the instructor.
BIB 790. Topics in Biblical Studies. (1-3 h)
One to three hour course credit.
BIB 790A. Topics in Biblical Studies. (1-3 h)
BIB 790B. Topics in Biblical Studies. (1-3 h)
BIB 790C. Topics in Biblical Studies. (1-3 h)