Canon in Context 1: Torah

In this class, students acquire the literary competency needed for exegesis and continued study of the Torah (Pentateuch). Since the skills for reading narrative have been covered in Biblical Narrative 1-2, this class focuses on cosmology, law, and ritual. Students will create two genre handbooks, one for cosmology and one for law/ritual, to be used for future study. Students will also learn the introductory material for all books covered in the section, including authorship/composition, structure, major interpretive issues, and history of interpretation. Throughout the class students will review and refine their understanding of the narrative sections of Torah. (3 credits)

Prerequisites: Biblical Narrative 2

Canon in Context 2: Writings

In this class, students acquire the literary competency needed for exegesis and continued study of the third section of the Hebrew canon, the Writings (Ketuvim). Since the skills for reading narrative have been covered in Biblical Narrative 1-2, this class focuses on poetry, wisdom, and apocalyptic. Students will create a genre handbook to be used for future study. Students will also learn the introductory material for all books covered in the section, including authorship/composition, structure, major interpretive issues, and history of interpretation. (3 credits)

Prerequisites: Biblical Narrative 2

Canon in Context 3: Prophets

In this class, students acquire the literary competency needed for exegesis and continued study of the middle section of the Hebrew OT canon, the Prophets (Nevi’im). Since the narrative portion of this part of the canon has already been covered in Biblical Narrative 1-2 (i.e., Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, and 1-2 Kings), this course focuses on the four prophetic scrolls of the Book of the 12, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Special attention is given to the Book of the 12. Students will create a genre handbook to be used for future study. Students will also learn the introductory material for all books covered in the section, including authorship/composition, structure, major interpretive issues, and history of interpretation. Reading prophetic literature requires competency in narrative, cosmology, law, ritual, poetry, wisdom, and apocalyptic. As such, both Canon in Context1: Torah and Canon in Context 2: Writings are prerequisites

Prerequisites: Biblical Narrative 2; Canon in Context 1: Torah, Canon in Context 2: Writings

Canon in Context 4: Gospels

In this class, students acquire the literary competency needed for exegesis and continued study of the four Gospels. This class builds on narrative reading skills developed in Biblical Narrative 1–2 and the OT Canon classes and hones the particular further skills required for competent Gospels reading. Class readings and exercises, as well as exegetical guides are designed to provide the student with the tools necessary to explore and teach the content of these books. All four Gospels are read and explored in the class, being mindful of how various literary and historical-cultural contexts inform our understanding of each book. Students will also learn the introductory material for all books covered in the section, including authorship/composition, structure, major interpretive issues, and history of interpretation.

Prerequisites: Canon in Context 3: Prophets

Canon in Context 5: Acts, Epistles,
and Revelation

In this class, students acquire the literary competency needed for exegesis and continued study of the remaining portions of the New Testament beyond the Gospels. Most of the class time will focus on letter-reading and apocalypse-reading skills, though attention is also paid to narrative skills germane to reading Acts in particular. Class reading and exercises are designed to foster these skills, as well as to further explore 1st century contexts of this portion of the New Testament. Students will also learn the introductory material for all books covered in the section, including authorship/composition, structure, major interpretive issues, and history of interpretation.

Prerequisites: Canon in Context 4: Gospels