| CODE | SHG2064 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Hermeneutics of the Inspired Scriptures | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Sacred Scripture, Hebrew and Greek | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit explores the many ways in which the biblical text has been interpreted and re-interpreted through the ages. It commences with an intra-biblical analysis of how, in an effort to address later contemporary issues, scriptural texts were re-interpreted by later writers of other biblical texts living in different socio-cultural and religious contexts. The other main approaches to interpretation of the scriptures will then be tackled, namely patristic, medieval, modern and contemporary analysis, paying due attention to salient Church documents on the matter. Four main areas of study will be focussed upon - i) the world of the text itself when read syncronically; ii) the world behind the text, that is the pre-history of the text; iii) the world in front of the text, meaning the ways in which readers across the centuries have engaged with the texts in question; iv) the world around the text, which implies that attention is given to particular texts or books belonging in the larger context of the surrounding literature of the canon. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims at showing how biblical texts have not been static, rigid products of different communities but have involved deep engagement with them by authors, redactors and readers alike. It will demonstrate how the socio-cultural context of the reader plays a very important role in the interpretation of the scriptures, but that there are also basic principles which ensure that, despite the different nuances and readings that can be elicited, sound hermeneutical conclusions can be made. These, however, cannot be divorced from the community of faith to which the reader belongs. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - describe the history of development of hermeneutical thought; - explain the four main areas in which analysis of a text takes place; - differentiate between a method and an approach when it comes to interpreting texts; - name and describe the most important approaches utilised in the search for the meaning of biblical texts. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - critique the pros and cons of interpretative tools employed throughout the centuries; - appraise the main method and approaches used in analysing Scripture; - examine texts in order to assess the influences played upon them; - interpret particular texts using different types of analysis. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Barton, John. Reading the Old Testament. Method in Biblical Study. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1984. ———. The Nature of Biblical Criticism. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2007. Benedict XVI. Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation : Verbum Domini of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the Bishops, Clergy, Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. Vatican City: Libraeria Editrice Vaticana, 2010. Brown, Raymond E., and Sandra M. Schneiders. “Hermeneutics.” In The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, edited by Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and Roland E. Murphy, 1146–65. London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1990. Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the New Testament. New York: Crossroad, 1997. ———. How to Read the Old Testament. Quezon City: Claretian Publications, 1997. Collins, Raymond F. “Inspiration.” In The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, edited by Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and Roland E. Murphy, 1023–33. London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1990. Gillingham, Susan E. One Bible, Many Voices : Different Approaches to Biblical Studies. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans Pub, 1999. Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. S.L.: Baker Book House, 2020. Hartill, J. Edwin. Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics. 1947. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, n.d. Kaltner, John, and Steven L. McKenzie, eds. New Meanings for Ancient Texts : Recent Approaches to Biblical Criticisms and Their Applications. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013. Kennedy, George A. New Testament Interpretation through Rhetorical Criticism. Chapel Hill, N.C.: The University of North Carolina Press, 1984. KöstenbergerAndreas J., and Richard D. Patterson. Invitation to Biblical Interpretation : Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Academic, 2021. Marguerat, Daniel, and Yvan Bourquin. How to Read Bible Stories : An Introduction to Narrative Criticism. London: Scm Press, 1999. Mckenzie, Steven L., and Stephen R. Haynes, eds. To Each Its Own Meaning : An Introduction to Biblical Criticisms and Their Application. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox, 2000. Montague, George T. Understanding the Bible. A Basic Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Revised and Expanded. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2007. Morse, Holly. Encountering Eve’s Afterlives : A New Reception Critical Approach to Genesis 2-4. Oxford Oxford University Press, 2020. Pontifical Biblical Commission. “Interpretation of the Bible in the Church: Full Text.” Catholic-Resources.org, 1994. https://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/PBC_Interp-FullText.htm. Porter, Stanley E., and Beth M. Stovell, eds. Biblical Hermeneutics : Five Views. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2012. Virkler, Henry A., and Karelynne Gerber Ayayo. Hermeneutics : Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2007. |
||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
||||||||
| LECTURER/S | Stefan Attard |
||||||||
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
|||||||||